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New Florida rental housing laws 2024: The rules are changing, here's 3 bills that landlords need to know when renting out their home in 2024.

3 Legal Changes and Bills Florida Landlords Should Be Prepared For in 2024

Rental housing is governed by a combination of state laws and local ordinances – often creating confusing differences between counties. In an effort to simplify this, Florida passed changes to the Florida Landlord and Tenant Act or Florida Statute 83.

As of July 1, 2024, more than 40 local ordinances across Florida became invalid by this change and were replaced with a statewide law. For example, this makes Orange County’s tenant bill of rights and fair notice requirements unenforceable. 

This doesn’t mean that local counties can’t pass their own ordinances – but they can’t conflict with the Florida statutes. This can work to block measures such as rent increase caps or rent control measures, which are not legal in Florida. 

If you own a rental home in Florida, now is a good time to brush up on some of the changes taking shape in 2024. This article will uncover three of the biggest changes and bill proposals that Florida landlords need to be aware of. 

This article should not replace legal advice. Always check with your local county office for any laws that may apply in your local area, even with state changes coming into effect. 

1. Notice periods changed to end a monthly tenancy

Changes came into effect: January 1, 2024


If you have residents in your rental home on a month-to-month tenancy, you will now need to give 30 days written notice to end the tenancy. This is an increase from 15 days notice. 

If you have a resident on a long term agreement, you will need just-cause to remove or evict them from your home. Valid reasons for eviction in Florida include:

Not vacating after a lease has ended and notice has expired 

Not upholding responsibilities under tenant-landlord law, such as defacing the premises or having a pet without permission

In each of these scenarios, proper notice must be given to the residents of their eviction. Notice periods vary depending on the situation. If you are on a year-to-year lease, you will need to provide 60 days notice to vacate. 

Pro Tip: Reduce your risk of losing rental income with Belong. 83% of Belong residents renew after 12 months – plus we offer guaranteed rent and up to $15,000 in eviction protection for complete peace of mind. Learn more about becoming a Belong homeowner.

2. Florida landlords can ask for a fee instead of a security deposit 

While this law actually came into effect in mid-2023, it’s noteworthy as it affects all new lease agreements in 2024. 

Florida’s House Bill 133 amended the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, allowing landlords to accept a fee or monthly fees. This is in lieu of paying the traditional refundable security deposit for a rental unit – you can’t ask for both. 

Landlords will also have the option to permit a tenant to pay a security deposit in monthly installments instead of one lump sum. The idea is that this will reduce the upfront fees required for a resident to enter a home. 

If the landlord and tenant agree to a fee instead of a security deposit, a written agreement must disclose that:

The tenant has the option to pay the security deposit instead of the fee at any time

The landlord’s use of the fee to buy an insurance product does not affect the tenant’s liability for rent, damages, or other amounts owed

The landlord has exclusive discretion whether to offer tenants the option to pay a fee in lieu of a deposit

A landlord has 15 days to notify the tenant of any amount owed in unpaid rent, fees, damages or other obligations. An insurance claim for any of these amounts can't be claimed until after this period

Fees can’t be raised during the contract’s term

If you’re considering dropping a security deposit, make sure you’re clear on the rules before proceeding. While monthly fees are nonrefundable, they could also leave you without the usual safety net if there are repairs needed at the end of a lease. If your home is looked after by Belong, we remove this dilemma and make the whole process simple. 

We charge residents a traditional security deposit, but we also provide flexible payment terms and options, allowing residents to pay in installments. This can help reduce the upfront costs of residents when they move in, without foregoing a security deposit. It’s the best of both worlds, which is why we offer this in all cities, not just Florida. 

3. Rent increase limits were not made into law

Last update: “Died in Civil Justice Subcommittee”

Florida doesn’t have rent control laws in place and the recent changes to statewide legislation also forbid local jurisdictions from trying to introduce it via a local ordinance. 

But, you may have heard about a bill placing a cap on yearly increases for existing leases. Originally set to go into effect in July 2024, House Bill 31 would have capped yearly rental increases at 30% for continuing residents in Florida. Other proposed changes for Florida rental homes included provisions for air conditioning in certain housing units and further changes to notice periods around eviction. 

The committee did not table this bill for a vote, which means it can’t pass this year. It doesn’t mean future bills won’t be considered, but for now rent increases remain uncapped in Florida. 

Redefining the rental experience in Florida 

Let’s face it, property management in Florida is more 80s than Miami Vice. And it hasn’t aged well. Belong is here to challenge that.

Belong is helping homeowners in Florida reach their financial goals with a hassle-free renting experience. Innovations like guaranteed rent and cash flow solutions add to a host of industry-disrupting and transparent services that Belong offers. From vetting residents to eviction protection, Belong homeowners are never left to navigate the confusing legal system on their own.  

Interested in learning more about Belong in Florida? Check out one of our local pages below:

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal advice. Your local city is the best place to find information on local ordinances that apply to you and your rental property. In an effort to flip outdated property management on its head, we prefer to use the terms ‘homeowner and resident’ over ‘landlord and tenant’. As this article discusses legislation, we have stuck to the old monikers as legal terms where necessary. 

Get Predictable Returns in 2024 with Guaranteed Rent

Rental evictions are up 42% in Houston, 25% in Fort Worth and 18% in Austin. Discover 3 ways Belong can protect your rental income in Texas and avoid the stats.

Evictions in Texas are Soaring in 2024: How To Reduce Risks and Protect Your Rental Income

Evictions have spiked across Texas in 2024 and are surging past pre-pandemic levels in many major cities. According to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab research, there have been almost 83,000 eviction filings in the past year for Houston alone – a 42% increase when compared with the average pre-pandemic level.  

Other cities in the Lone Star State facing an increase in eviction filings in the past year include:

Of the cities tracked in Texas by Eviction Lab, only Dallas is down by 6% in the past year with 38,017 filings. So what is going on? News reports point to the end of COVID-19 relief measures combined with years of statewide rent increases putting financial pressure on renters. 

As part of our efforts to improve and innovate the renting experience, Belong doesn't want to see any member of our network in these statistics – homeowner or resident. So here’s what we’re doing to reduce rental evictions in Texas. 

3 ways Belong protects rental income for homeowners in Texas 

Everyone needs a place to call home. With homeownership out of reach for many Americans, there is an increasing need for livable long-term rental housing. As part of our mission to create authentic belonging experiences, we focus on finding people who will love your home like you do. We offer them 24/7 support to answer their questions and resolve issues fast. We give them hassle-free payment options, and incentivise on-time payments. 

As a result, 83% of Belong residents renew their 12-month lease agreements. This provides a feeling of belonging, while providing stability and peace of mind to homeowners. 

Related: Belong's Big Texas Launch: Welcome Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio

The bills don’t stop when rent goes unpaid – a disruption to your cash flow that can quickly put you behind. This is often why homeowners want to act fast on evictions for non-payment. In Texas, an eviction notice can be filed after just three days of non-payment of rent, with no need to allow the tenant to catch up.

But Belong homeowners don’t fall behind so easily. Our homeowners know exactly how much their rental income is and when they’re getting it, no matter what. This is because we offer guaranteed rent – paid on time, even if residents don’t. 

We work with residents to get their rent up to date, with no disruption to homeowner cash flow. We also allow residents to split up big costs like security deposits and insurance to reduce their likelihood of being burdened by the cost of rent. 

Related: How Guaranteed Rent is Changing Property Management Forever


If Belong ever did need to evict someone we placed, there’s a financial safety net in place. Most property management companies offer packages called ‘eviction protection’ for an extra cost. If you take a look at the fine print, they are usually restricted to court filing fees with a long list of exclusions. Those costs won’t set you back much more than what you paid for the coverage in the first place. 

Belong doesn’t upcharge for support when you need it most and evictions are no exception. To give our homeowners confidence and peace of mind in long-term renting, Belong-initiated evictions are covered for up to $15,000 in legal costs — as much as 5-10x what the average property management package is capped at. 

Related: How To Avoid Costly Evictions With Belong’s Game-Changing Safety Net For Homeowners

How much does it cost to evict a tenant in Texas?

Fees are set at a county level and will vary depending on your personal situation. For example, a court filing fee in Travis County, Austin is $139.00 for the first person and $85 for each additional member served. If you get a judgment of possession and the defendant does not appeal, it will cost a further $180 to obtain a Writ of Possession to remove them from the property legally. These fees don’t include legal representation, appeals, or fees for other claims such as suing for rent owed or damages. This is why it’s important to speak to a real estate or legal professional before pursuing any action and to check with local county laws regarding costs. 

How long does the eviction process take in Texas?

On average, the eviction process in Texas takes a minimum of 30 - 35 days, depending on court availability and whether or not the case is straightforward or appealed. 

An example of eviction time and process in Texas:

Filing of the eviction suit: Approx 8 - 10 days.

Court date is set: Between 10 - 21 days. A hearing cannot take place for at least 10 days from the petition filing date.

Time to appeal: 5 days from judgment date. If an appeal is filed the hearing will take place after 8 days or more. 

If evicted, the tenant is given 24 hrs to vacate the premises on the Writ of Possession.

This is a general guide only and should not be considered legal advice. It’s also important to note that the resident can remain in the home until a Writ of Possession is issued and you are legally not allowed to change the locks or shut off utilities to force them out. Only a law enforcement officer can remove a tenant legally. 

A better way to rent out your home in Texas

Working together, we can put people first and change what it means to rent a home in Texas. Belong can help you reach your financial goals through real estate, while also creating lasting, positive impact on innumerable lives for decades to come.

If you’re looking for stability in your rental experience, Belong has you covered. We’re making rental finances predictable by offering guaranteed rent. We’re providing flexible payment options to keep your cash flow steady. And we’re doing it while providing a better way of living for the millions of Americans who rent. 

Interested in learning more about Belong services in Texas? Check out one of our local pages below:

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal or financial advice. Your local city is the best place to find information on local ordinances that apply to you and your rental property.


Rental evictions are up 42% in Houston, 25% in Fort Worth and 18% in Austin. Discover 3 ways Belong can protect your rental income in Texas and avoid the stats

Get Guaranteed Rent and Eviction Protection in Texas

Georgia's new Safe at Home Act introduces rental home standards, changes to evictions and caps on security deposits. Learn how to comply when renting your home.

Georgia Has New Tenant-Landlord Laws in 2024: What Homeowners Need To Know

Until recently, Georgia was one of the only states in the US that did not enforce minimum standards for health and safety in rental homes. This created confusion and ambiguity around homeowner responsibilities to keep their homes well-maintained. That changed as of July 2024, with House Bill 404 now in effect. 

Known as the “Safe at Home Act”, HB404 brings in a few changes that rental homeowners should be aware of, including:

New livability and maintenance standards for rental homes

This will impact all future lease agreements and management responsibilities for rental homeowners in Georgia. In this article we’ll cover what you need to know about the new Safe At Home Act, and outline a straightforward path to compliance.

What are the new rental home standards for Georgia?

Keeping a rental home up to code and comfortable is now enforceable by law in Georgia. As a homeowner you have a responsibility to ensure your home is fit for occupancy by:

Ensuring all essential services and utilities are functioning including plumbing, electrical systems, heating, and cooling



Ensuring the home has access to hot and cold water



Keeping the home free from hazards including mold, leaks, and pest infestations



Conducting regular maintenance to minimize potential issues




Unlike some states, Georgia statutes don’t give your residents the right to withhold rent or deduct the cost of repairs from rent without authorization. But if you leave maintenance requests unanswered, they could take legal action against you under the new laws. 

The best way to abide by the Safe At Home Act is to make maintenance a priority. Budget for repairs and don’t delay on maintenance requests. If you’re a Belong homeowner, you won’t even need to think about this. You’ll have access to over 10,000 maintenance professionals at your fingertips, the option to spread the cost of repairs across your lease, and our support team will handle all resident inquiries 24/7. You can even subscribe to regular maintenance services for a hassle-free, hands-off experience. 

Related: Why Ignoring Rental Home Maintenance Could Cost You More Than Repairs

What are the changes to the eviction process in Georgia in 2024?

If rent has gone unpaid, residents now have a three-day grace period to fix the situation before an eviction can begin. You will need to give clear written notice before filing for an eviction, outlining the reasons why. 

The other 2024 update is on ‘self-help evictions’. Actions like changing the locks or shutting off utilities to make someone leave has always been illegal, but HB404 adds air conditiong/cooling to the list of things that you can not shut off to force an eviction.

Avoiding situations like this is what Belong does best. For starters, we guarantee rent for homeowners. That means you get paid reliably, even if rent falls behind. Belong gives residents the flexibility to pay on their own schedule and will take care of making sure they’re on time, without impacting your cash flow. 

If we ever need to start eviction proceedings against a resident we have chosen, we will handle that too. 

Belong-initiated evictions are covered with a safety net that protects homeowners against up to $15,000 in legal fees. This is as much as 5-10x what the average property management package is capped at. Most property managers charge extra for eviction protection, only to sneak restrictions in the fine print.

If someone refuses to leave and is living in your rental home illegally, Georgia homeowners now have increased protections thanks to another recent bill, the Georgia Squatter Reform Act. This new law will allow homeowners to get back possession of their homes quicker and punish squatters with fees and jail time. 

What are the new security deposit caps in Georgia?

The Safe At Home Act also includes new caps on how much you can charge for a security deposit. As of July 2024, all security deposits for rental homes in Georgia are limited to two times the monthly rent. 

Damage, pet, and advanced rent deposits are considered to be security deposits under Georgia law. Make sure you factor extra charges like these into the amount charged and don’t forget to check for ordinances in your county as caps may vary at a local level. 

How will Georgia’s new laws impact my lease agreement?

If you rent out a home in a city like Atlanta or Savannah, you will need to make sure any future lease agreements and renewals reflect current laws and local ordinances. State and county laws can override any clauses in your agreement, which could leave you open to legal liability. 

Avoid using free online templates that could be out of date or feature generic clauses. Have your lease agreement drawn up by a professional who is up to date with both state legislation and any local ordinances, such as:

A modern property management alternative like Belong

Related: 11 Legal Mistakes To Avoid As a Rental Homeowner

Belong homeowners don’t have to worry about constantly changing regulations, as our team of experts do all the work for you and are available 24/7 to answer any questions.  

Belong homeowners earn guaranteed rent, paid to them each month even when residents are late to pay. And, in the unlikely event that residents must be evicted, Belong assists with the process so homeowners are never stuck dealing with a confusing legal system on their own.

Interested in learning more about Belong in Georgia? Check out one of our local pages below:

Atlanta Property Management Made Lovable 

Savannah Property Management Made Loveable



Disclaimer: This article is not intended as legal or financial advice. Your local city is the best place to find information on local ordinances that apply to you and your rental property.

Get Great Residents and Guaranteed Rent in Georgia

Understand property management, your options, and how to simplify your rental experience and cash flow.

Property Management 101: Costs, Options, and Your Path to Easier Rentals

There’s more to property management than meets the eye. On the surface it seems straightforward, but the truth is rental homes come with a tangled web of legislation, fine print, and hidden costs. So let’s demystify the details and make this easy.

Before you hire a property manager or even take on the job yourself, this overview will help you understand the ins and outs of property management, your options, and how to simplify your rental experience. 

Understanding property management options for rental homes

Rental homes are unique in that they are both a place of residence and a business. Care and consideration needs to be given to both sides. While the house is an income-producing business for you, it’s still a home, and a place where your residents need to feel like they belong. 

Maintaining the balance between a good business and a good home for your residents takes work. Someone needs to be readily available to manage all communication, take care of everything from marketing to maintenance, manage legal matters, and keep the home occupied to earn income. 

This is why many homeowners hire a property management company to outsource the work to. Before considering this option, here are a few pros and cons.

Pros and cons of hiring a property management company

Provides local expertise and experience in rental home management



Helps price your monthly rent for the market



They will find and manage your residents for you, handling complex tasks such as tenant screening, rent collection, and managing lease agreements



They will have their own list of contractors to manage repairs and maintenance



Property management fees can be claimed as a deduction at tax time

Monthly management fees reduce your rental income



Monthly fees aren’t all-inclusive with hidden add-ons for lease renewals, eviction help, inspections, and other services



Unexpected fees makes it hard to have transparency over your cash flow and real costs



Minimal protection from legal costs and fees in the event of an eviction, with most management companies charging extra for help and capping protection at $500 



Complaints of poor communication with residents are common



You only get paid on time when residents pay on time



Only available to speak to during office hours (with voicemail the most common option for an emergency)


The reality is when the rental experience feels hard on both sides, poor property management is usually to blame. People renting aren’t treated like valued customers and homeowners get little transparency into the real cost of managing their home. 

This is what Belong is here to change. We want to restore confidence that long-term renting can be both profitable and lovable for homeowners. We offer all the pros of outsourcing the hard work, without the long list of cons. 

Pros of choosing Belong over traditional property management

Full transparency with one monthly management fee and no hidden extras (also claimable on tax)



Guaranteed rent every month, regardless of when residents pay



24/7 customer support to both homeowners and residents



Flexible payment options that let you spread the cost of expenses like repairs and landlord insurance



Up to $15,000 coverage if we ever need to initiate eviction proceedings for a resident we have placed



Smarter rental pricing that uses a clever combination of human smarts and tech algorithms including real-time demand for your home



An innovative, tech-forward alternative to property management that is striving to flip an outdated industry on its head



82% of Belong Residents renew their 1-year lease (with no renewal costs for homeowners)



Access to over 10,000 contractors in our extensive vendor network


The last property management option is to take on the job yourself. Before taking the DIY approach, here’s some quick pros and cons of self-managing a rental home.

More control and oversight over the day-to-day operation of your rental home



Could be beneficial for tax purposes if you operate as a real estate professional

It can be a hard and stressful job and isn’t for everyone



You need the time and availability – not ideal for earning passive income



Requires knowledge of federal fair housing laws, state landlord-tenant laws, and local ordinances to avoid getting caught up in legal issues 



You will need to find and vet your own residents and keep them happy to reduce vacancies



You will have to hire and manage your own contractors, which can be hard to find



You will need to chase down late rent payments and inspect for any lease violations



You need to stay tapped into the market to keep pricing competitive and maintain occupancy rates



It requires a great deal of admin and record keeping skills

Regardless of what option you choose, all rental home management involves the same cycle of tasks. From getting the home ready for residents to leasing and then managing turnover, here’s a quick rundown of what that entails: 

To get started, you need a home that is move-in ready. Initial tasks include:

Making any necessary repairs and cleaning



Setting the right price for monthly rent



Photography and video of the home for promotion



Marketing and listing on real estate websites



Managing documentation (which may also include secure disposal of personal data)



Before you hire a property manager or DIY, get an understanding of property management, your options, and how to simplify your rental experience and cash flow.

Melanie Kershaw

Mel Kershaw is a Content Lead at Belong. With an extensive background working with technology companies including Eventbrite and Yelp, she’s always looking for ways to create educational and informative articles that simplifies tech and solves problems for her audience.

Eric Vandekerkhove

Natalie McNeal

Adam Hanft

Harrison Kelly

Jill Jaracz

Eric Vandekerkhove

Natalie McNeal

Adam Hanft

Harrison Kelly

Jill Jaracz