Practice Area
Real Estate
Residential and commercial transactions, landlord-tenant disputes, title issues, and boundary/HOA disputes in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Answer a few questions below and we’ll look for a participating attorney suited to your matter.
Real Estate Law in Florida
Where the deadlines actually are
A lot of real estate law comes down to deadlines written into a contract or lease, not a single statewide statute of limitations. Purchase and sale contracts typically carry firm inspection, financing, and closing deadlines. On the landlord-tenant side, Florida law requires a landlord to return a security deposit within 15 days if no claim is being made against it, or send written notice within 30 days if a claim is coming — missing either deadline generally forfeits the landlord’s right to keep any of it.
Eviction cases require specific written notice before they’re filed, with the required notice period depending on the reason for eviction. Title issues and HOA or boundary disputes are different still — those usually turn on recorded documents (title, survey, HOA governing documents) rather than a contract deadline.
Deadlines and procedures vary by transaction and lease terms — confirm your specific situation with an attorney. This summary is based on Fla. Stat. §§ 83.49 and 83.56.
What To Expect
What shapes a real estate matter
None of this is legal advice — every transaction and lease is different.
- 01
Contract deadlines in real estate tend to be firm
Inspection periods, financing contingencies, and closing dates are usually short and specific. Missing one can affect your rights under the contract, so timing matters more here than in many other practice areas.
- 02
Security deposits have hard deadlines too
A landlord who won't be claiming against a deposit must return it within 15 days of move-out; one who intends to claim against it must send written notice within 30 days or lose that right.
- 03
Eviction requires specific written notice
Florida law requires particular notice before an eviction case can be filed, and the required notice differs depending on the reason (nonpayment vs. another lease violation) and the lease terms.
- 04
Title issues and HOA/boundary disputes are their own animal
These often involve title insurance, survey records, or an HOA's governing documents — different information than a straightforward purchase or lease dispute, so we ask which kind of matter this is upfront.
Start an Inquiry
Tell us about your matter
This isn’t a request for legal advice, and it doesn’t obligate you to anything. We use your answers to look for a suitable participating attorney.
FAQ
Real estate referral questions
Is this service a law firm?+
No. EzuLaw is a lawyer referral service. We connect you with participating, independently practicing Florida attorneys — we don't represent you, and we don't provide legal advice.
My landlord hasn't returned my deposit — what now?+
Florida law gives landlords 15 days to return a deposit with no claim, or 30 days to send written notice of an intended claim. If those deadlines passed without either happening, that's important information for an attorney reviewing your situation — tell them the exact dates.
I have an inspection or closing deadline coming up — can you move fast?+
Tell us about the deadline in the form and we'll flag your inquiry for priority review. If the deadline is very close, don't wait on us — reach out to an attorney directly as well.
Will you tell me where the attorney is located before I talk to them?+
Yes. If we identify a participating attorney for your matter, we disclose that attorney's name, firm, and location (city/county) to you as part of the referral, before any next step.
Does consultation with a listed attorney create representation?+
No. An attorney-client relationship is only created if and when that specific attorney agrees to take your case. Read our full referral service disclosures for details.