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What Is a Florida Commercial Lease Agreement?

A Florida commercial lease agreement is a contract for renting business property such as office, retail, warehouse, or other nonresidential space. Florida commercial leasing is shaped by Chapter 83, Part I of the Florida Statutes, plus a statewide radon warning requirement that applies broadly to rental documents for any building.

When to Use a Commercial Lease in Florida

  • Leasing retail, office, industrial, or warehouse space in Florida.
  • Renting nonresidential property where the parties want Florida-specific default and possession language.
  • Drafting a lease that should address distress, landlord liens, or holdover rent consequences.
  • Leasing space where repair obligations and untenantability conditions need to be spelled out.
  • Preparing a Florida form that needs the mandatory radon notice.

Key Florida Commercial Lease Provisions

  • Mandatory Radon Warning: Under Fla. Stat. § 404.056(5), notification must be provided on at least one document, form, or application executed at or before a rental agreement for any building. The only stated exception is certain transient occupancy of 45 days or less.
  • Double Rent for Holdover: Under § 83.06, a landlord may demand double the monthly rent when a tenant refuses to give up possession at the end of the lease term.
  • Landlord Lien and Distress: Sections 83.08–.19 preserve traditional landlord lien and distress remedies for nonresidential tenancies, covering distress complaint, writ, levy, dissolution, replevy, and sale procedure.
  • Default Notice Rules: Under § 83.20, a nonpayment case generally uses a 3-day notice demanding rent or possession. For nonmonetary breach, 15 days' written notice applies when the lease is silent on the matter or the tenancy is oral.
  • Narrow Repair and Untenantability Rule: Under § 83.201, if the lease is silent on repair procedure but expressly makes the landlord responsible, and the failure renders the premises wholly untenantable, the tenant may serve written notice giving at least 20 days to make the repair. If not cured, the tenant may withhold rent, terminate, and abandon without future liability.
  • Rent Acceptance Waiver: Under § 83.202, accepting the full amount of past-due rent with knowledge of the breach waives the landlord's right to proceed with an eviction claim for nonpayment of that rent.
  • Rent Must Be Paid Into Court: Under § 83.232, in an action that includes possession, the tenant generally must deposit the alleged unpaid rent and ongoing rent into the court registry. Failure to do so can be deemed an absolute waiver of defenses, allowing immediate default for possession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida require a radon warning in commercial leases?

Yes. Fla. Stat. § 404.056(5) requires the warning on at least one sale or rental document for any building, not just residential property.

Which part of Chapter 83 applies to Florida commercial leases?

Part I. That is the nonresidential tenancy statute. Part II governs residential tenancies.

Can a Florida commercial tenant withhold rent because the landlord will not repair the property?

Only in a narrow situation under § 83.201: the lease must be silent on procedure, must expressly place the repair obligation on the landlord, and the premises must be rendered wholly untenantable. The tenant must also give 20 days' written notice.

What happens if a Florida landlord accepts all overdue rent after nonpayment?

That can waive the landlord's nonpayment eviction claim for that rent under § 83.202.

Does a Florida commercial tenant have to pay rent into court to fight an eviction?

Usually yes in a possession action. Under § 83.232, failure to pay the required rent into the court registry can result in an absolute waiver of defenses and an immediate default for possession.