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According to Eviction Lab, as of October 1, 2024, Jacksonville, Florida, had 14,137 eviction filings in the past year, 19% higher than the average pre-COVID year. It also pointed out that filing fees here cost $185.
All those stats and figures should prompt you, a Jacksonville landlord, to protect yourself from evictions, considering they cost a lot of time and money.
To that end, we at Green River Property Management created this post sharing eviction guidelines. Read on to discover the legal complexities, plus how to protect your landlord rights and minimize risks.
Jacksonville's Tenant Eviction Laws
Jacksonville's tenant eviction laws mirror the state's (Florida Statutes Chapter 83, Part II). Jacksonville's Duval County Clerk summarizes the landlord eviction process in five steps.
1. Issuance of Eviction Notice
Before filing an eviction, landlords must issue the correct tenant eviction notice:
- 3-day notice for non-payment of rent
- 7-day notice of non-compliance, letting renters "cure" the violation or move out
- 7-day notice to quit for non-compliance (for monthly paying tenants)
- 15-day notice to quit for non-compliance (for weekly paying tenants)
An example of non-compliance is when tenants keep more than the allowable number of pets in your rental. Another is if they fail to comply with their property maintenance duties.
2. Eviction Complaint Filing
If the tenant fails to comply with the notice's conditions, you can file the official eviction complaint with the Duval County Courthouse. You can:
- Mail it
- Deliver it in person
- File it electronically
3. Serving the Summons
Landlords can't serve a Summons and Complaint to tenants themselves. Either a process server or the Sheriff's Office must perform this step.
4. Getting the Eviction Judgement
Upon receipt of the Summons and Complaint, the tenant has five days to respond. If they file one, the court sets up a hearing that you and the tenant must attend.
If they don't reply, your next step is to file a default judgment motion with the Duval County Clerk. You'll receive a motion hearing time and date that you must also attend.
5. Obtaining the Writ/Warrant of Possession
If you've met all the requirements (e.g., complete paperwork), the judge will conclude the hearing and issue a Writ/Warrant of Possession. You must request a copy of this document from the Sheriff's Office and pay a fee to have them serve it.
Protecting Yourself From Evictions
While you can't prevent all evictions, you can minimize risk by hiring professionals to screen tenants thoroughly. With their extensive process, they can help identify tenants who are less and most likely to default on rent or breach lease terms.
Working with a full-service property manager offering eviction protection plans is also wise. With these in place, your manager will handle the eviction process on your behalf.
Mitigate Evictions With Professional Property Management
Remember: Evictions in Jacksonville, FL, are expensive and time-consuming. Depending on the nature of the case, you may not recover the entire amount due to you. For this reason, it's better to hire property management experts who can help with renter screening, tenant management, and evictions.
Green River Property Management offers all those services and more; plus, we back our services with many guarantees. We're proud to have served Greater Jacksonville for over 15 years, providing tailored support to landlords and tenants.
Speak with us today so we can get started with your free property analysis!
