If the repair is yours to pay
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Default rule and exceptions
In Florida, a tenant can terminate the lease if the landlord materially fails to comply with maintenance obligations within 7 days after written notice (F.S. § 83.56(1)); separately, if a landlord-duty repair failure renders the unit wholly untenantable, the tenant can withhold rent after 20 days' written notice under F.S. § 83.201.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Landlord | Materially comply with maintenance obligations within 7 days of written notice, or repair a wholly-untenantable condition within 20 days of notice. |
| Tenant | Give the required written notice (7-day for termination, 20-day for withholding) specifying the noncompliance before terminating the lease or withholding rent. |
| Exceptions | The 20-day rent-withholding remedy under § 83.201 applies only where the failure renders the premises wholly untenantable. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 16, 2026.
If the landlord materially fails to comply with s. 83.51(1) or material provisions of the rental agreement within 7 days after delivery of written notice by the tenant specifying the noncompliance... the tenant may terminate the rental agreement.
the tenant may withhold rent after notice to the landlord. The tenant shall serve the landlord... a written notice declaring the premises to be wholly untenantable, giving the landlord at least 20 days to make the specifically described repair or maintenance.
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Common questions
Who pays for rental: landlord won't repair (remedies) in Statewide, FL?
The landlord. Materially comply with maintenance obligations within 7 days of written notice, or repair a wholly-untenantable condition within 20 days of notice.
Are there exceptions in Statewide, FL?
The 20-day rent-withholding remedy under § 83.201 applies only where the failure renders the premises wholly untenantable.
What is this based on for Statewide, FL?
This verdict is sourced to 2026 Florida Statutes § 83.56: Termination of rental agreement and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- 2026 Florida Statutes § 83.56: Termination of rental agreementstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- 2026 Florida Statutes § 83.201: Notice to landlord of failure to maintain or repair, rendering premises wholly untenantable; right to withhold rentstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
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