Fla. Stat. § 83.40 et seq. § 83.52
Tenant’s obligation to maintain dwelling unit.
Operative Text
The tenant at all times during the tenancy shall: (1) Comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building, housing, and health codes. (2) Keep that part of the premises which he or she occupies and uses clean and sanitary. (3) Remove from the tenant’s dwelling unit all garbage in a clean and sanitary manner. (4) Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant clean and sanitary and in repair. (5) Use and operate in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and other facilities and appliances, including elevators. (6) Not destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises or property therein belonging to the landlord nor permit any person to do so. (7) Conduct himself or herself, and require other persons on the premises with his or her consent to conduct themselves, in a manner that does not unreasonably disturb the tenant’s neighbors or constitute a breach of the peace.
Florida Statute § 83.52 establishes a set of ongoing maintenance and conduct obligations that tenants must meet throughout the duration of a tenancy. The law covers a broad range of responsibilities, including keeping the unit clean and sanitary, properly disposing of garbage, maintaining plumbing fixtures, using appliances and building systems reasonably, refraining from damaging the landlord's property, and ensuring that neither the tenant nor their guests unreasonably disturb neighbors or breach the peace. These obligations run continuously — not just at move-in or move-out — and apply regardless of the condition of the broader property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Fla. Stat. § 83.52, tenants bear defined, ongoing responsibilities for cleanliness, proper appliance use, and civil conduct, which can be relevant when a landlord documents unit conditions or evaluates lease compliance. Compliant operators typically maintain written records — such as move-in inspection reports, maintenance logs, and written communications — that can help establish whether a tenant has met or violated these statutory duties. When a tenant's conduct or unit condition appears to fall short of § 83.52's standards, landlords generally follow the notice procedures outlined elsewhere in Chapter 83 before pursuing further remedies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Fla. Stat. § 83.52 outlines the maintenance and conduct standards tenants are expected to uphold, but it also defines the boundaries of those obligations — tenants are responsible for their own cleanliness and conduct, not for conditions caused by the landlord or ordinary wear and tear. If a landlord attempts to use an alleged § 83.52 violation as grounds for eviction or lease termination, tenants may have the opportunity to raise defenses, particularly if the claimed violation is disputed or if proper notice procedures were not followed. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help explain how § 83.52 interacts with other provisions of Florida's landlord-tenant law in a given situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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