A landlord attorney in Fort Lauderdale protects the legal and financial interests of property owners who rent residential or commercial space in Broward County. Florida’s landlord-tenant law is technical, specific, and unforgiving of procedural mistakes. A landlord who serves a defective eviction notice, fails to follow security deposit rules, or uses self-help remedies to remove a tenant faces case dismissals, sanctions, and civil liability. A Fort Lauderdale landlord attorney prevents those mistakes from happening — and handles the full range of legal issues that arise when you own rental property in South Florida.
Joseph Hughes is a landlord attorney in Fort Lauderdale representing residential and commercial property owners throughout Broward County. Hughes Real Estate Law drafts enforceable leases, handles evictions correctly the first time, pursues unpaid rent, resolves security deposit disputes, and litigates landlord-tenant matters in Broward County courts. Joseph Hughes handles every landlord matter personally.
This page covers the full scope of what a Fort Lauderdale landlord attorney does, the Florida laws that govern your rights as a property owner, and when legal representation makes the difference between a fast resolution and a prolonged dispute.
Legal Services for Fort Lauderdale Landlords
| Service | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Lease Drafting | Florida-compliant residential and commercial leases with all required provisions and enforceable remedies |
| Evictions | Proper notice preparation, court filing, hearing representation, and writ of possession through Broward County courts |
| Security Deposit Disputes | Proper itemized claim procedures, defense against wrongful withholding claims, deposit litigation |
| Unpaid Rent Collection | Demand letters, lawsuit filing, and judgment collection for unpaid rent |
| Lease Violations | Proper notice procedures for lease violations and repeat offenders |
| Tenant Damage Claims | Pursuing tenants for property damage beyond normal wear and tear |
| Commercial Landlord Matters | Commercial lease enforcement, commercial evictions, personal guarantee collection |
Florida Landlord Rights Under Chapter 83
Florida’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 83) gives landlords specific legal rights — but requires those rights to be exercised through precise procedures. As a Fort Lauderdale landlord, you have the right to:
- Receive rent on time — When rent is unpaid, serve a 3-day notice to pay or vacate and proceed to eviction if not cured
- Enforce lease terms — Serve a 7-day cure notice for curable violations and a 7-day unconditional quit for serious or repeat violations
- Recover possession — Obtain a Writ of Possession through Broward County courts when a tenant refuses to vacate after proper notice and judgment
- Retain security deposit for damages — Withhold all or part of a security deposit for unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear — following exact statutory notice procedures
- Sue for unpaid rent — Pursue a money judgment for unpaid rent, even after regaining possession of the property
- Terminate month-to-month tenancies — Terminate a month-to-month tenancy with 15 days’ notice before the end of the rental period
The full text of Florida Statutes Chapter 83 governs every aspect of the landlord-tenant relationship. A Fort Lauderdale landlord attorney knows this statute precisely — and uses it to your advantage.
Evictions Done Right in Fort Lauderdale
Eviction is the most time-sensitive legal process a landlord faces — and the most technically demanding. Broward County courts dismiss eviction cases regularly because landlords served the wrong notice, used the wrong rent amount, or filed one day too early. Every dismissal means starting over — losing weeks and continuing to absorb unpaid rent.
Joseph Hughes handles Fort Lauderdale evictions for residential and commercial landlords — preparing the correct notice, filing the eviction complaint correctly, representing landlords at contested hearings, and obtaining the Writ of Possession that returns your property. The Broward County Clerk of Courts processes all eviction filings — and a case done right moves through the system without delays.
Security Deposit Protection for Landlords
Florida’s security deposit statute has strict requirements for landlords. Within 30 days of receiving a deposit, you must send written notice to the tenant specifying how the deposit is held — in a Florida bank account or under a surety bond. Within 30 days of the tenant vacating, you must either return the deposit or send a written itemized claim specifying the deductions. Failure to follow these procedures forfeits your right to keep any portion of the deposit — regardless of the actual damage.
A Fort Lauderdale landlord attorney ensures your deposit procedures are legally correct from the start — and defends you if a tenant challenges your deductions. For related lease matters, see residential and commercial leases in Fort Lauderdale and lease agreement disputes.
Local Resources for Fort Lauderdale Landlords
| Resource | What It Provides | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County Clerk of Courts | Eviction filings, case records, writ of possession processing | browardclerk.org |
| Florida Senate — Chapter 83 | Full text of Florida’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act | flsenate.gov |
| Broward County Sheriff’s Office | Writ of possession enforcement for completed evictions | sheriff.org |
| Florida Bar Consumer Resources | Landlord legal guides and attorney verification | floridabar.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I change the locks to remove a tenant in Florida? | No. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities — are illegal in Florida. They expose you to civil liability. All evictions must go through the court process with a Fort Lauderdale landlord attorney. |
| What if my tenant just refuses to leave after their lease ends? | You begin the eviction process — typically a 15-day notice for month-to-month tenancies or a holdover eviction filing for expired fixed-term leases. Joseph Hughes handles both situations throughout Broward County. |
| Can I sue a tenant for unpaid rent after they leave? | Yes. A money judgment for unpaid rent can be obtained separately from the eviction — even after you’ve regained possession. Joseph Hughes pursues unpaid rent judgments and collections throughout Fort Lauderdale. |
| How do I protect myself from habitability claims? | Respond to repair requests promptly and in writing. Keep records of all maintenance. A Fort Lauderdale landlord attorney drafts leases that clearly define repair obligations and advises on habitability compliance. |
| Does Joseph Hughes handle commercial landlord matters? | Yes. Hughes Real Estate Law handles commercial leases, commercial evictions, and commercial landlord disputes for property owners throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. |
Your Property. Your Rights. Protected.
Hughes Real Estate Law is a landlord attorney in Fort Lauderdale serving residential and commercial property owners throughout Broward County. Call (954) 256-5125 or visit our contact page to schedule your consultation today.
About Hughes Real Estate Law
Hughes Real Estate Law is a Fort Lauderdale real estate law firm focused exclusively on Florida property law. Joseph Hughes represents landlords in lease drafting, evictions, security deposit disputes, and landlord-tenant litigation throughout Broward County. The firm serves Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Davie, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Sunrise, and Margate. Call (954) 256-5125 to speak with a Fort Lauderdale landlord attorney directly.
