Breaking a lease in Florida: what Broward landlords can and can’t do
By Damelecia, Inc. · Reviewed by Melecia Johnson, Broker/Property Manager · FL Lic. BK3251569 – January 2026 – last updated
A tenant calls and says they’re moving out six months early. It happens. What you can do next is set by Florida Statute 83.595.
Your three core remedies
- Treat the lease as terminated and retake possession.
- Retake possession and hold the tenant liable for the shortfall.
- Do nothing and hold the tenant liable for rent as it comes due.
Good faith means marketing the empty unit with the same effort you’d use to fill any vacancy.
The early-termination fee option
A pre-agreed early termination fee is only available if both parties signed the statutory addendum when the lease was signed.
One important note: We’re a property management company, not a law firm, and this is general information – not legal advice.
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We build Florida-compliant leases and handle the re-rental process if a tenant leaves early.
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