🚫 Are Your Landlord's Fees Legal? What Florida Tenants Must Know About Liquidated Damages

If you've ever moved out of an apartment in Florida, you may have been hit with a surprise bill for “liquidated damages.” These are often large fees landlords charge when tenants move out—sometimes even when the tenant did everything right. In many cases, these charges are illegal, and you may not owe a single penny.

At Florida Consumer Lawyers, we've seen it all—landlords ignoring lease terms, adding huge move-out fees, and even sending tenants to collections for debts they don't owe. Don't let this happen to you.

🏠 What Are Liquidated Damages?

Liquidated damages are a set amount of money (like one or two months of rent) that a landlord claims you owe if you don't follow the lease's rules for moving out. But here's the catch: Florida law says landlords can only charge this fee if they follow very specific steps.

Under Florida Statute § 83.575(2), your landlord must:

1. Give you written notice about the liquidated damages clause.

2. Send that notice at least 15 days before the 60-day notice period begins (so, around 75 days before your lease ends).

3. Clearly list all fees, penalties, and charges they plan to enforce.

If your landlord doesn't do all of this, they can't legally charge you those liquidated damages.

⚖️ Your Rights as a Tenant

You have powerful rights under Florida's Consumer Collection Practices Act (FCCPA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If a landlord tries to collect illegal fees, turns you over to collections, or damages your credit, they may be violating these laws.

You might be entitled to:

• Cancellation of the debt

• Return of your security deposit

• Compensation for emotional distress

• Statutory damages

• Attorney fees and court costs

🧾 What Should You Do If You Get a Bill?

If you receive a demand for money after moving out, especially for cancellation or early termination fees, don't panic. Here's what you should do:

✅ Keep everything — Save your full lease, payment ledgers, emails, text messages, and notices. These are your best defense.
✅ Review your lease — See what it actually says about notice and liquidated damages.
✅ Check the timeline — Did your landlord give you that written notice at least 75 days before your lease ended?
✅ Call a consumer lawyer — We're here to help.

💸 Watch Out for Collections and Judgments

When landlords wrongly send tenants to collections or file lawsuits based on illegal debt, it can damage your credit, hurt your chances of renting again, and lead to judgments, interest, and even attorney fees. These problems can follow you for years.

But the good news? You can fight back—and win.

📞 Talk to Florida Consumer Lawyers Today

If you're being charged illegal fees, or if a landlord is trying to collect on a debt you don't owe, you have rights.

👉 Call Florida Consumer Lawyers. We help protect people just like you.
👉 Our team will review your lease, letters, and charges—for free.
👉 If the charges are illegal, we'll fight to have them removed and get you the justice you deserve.

🛡️ Final Tip: Protect Yourself

• Always ask for a full copy of your lease before you sign.

• When you plan to move out, give written notice early and in writing.

• If you're unsure what's legal or not, contact us. It's better to ask questions now than fight a collection agency later.

Florida Consumer Lawyers
Fighting unfair debts, collections, judgments, and landlord abuse.
☎️ Call today or visit floridaconsumerlawyers.com