Hillsborough County has adopted new provisions aimed at protecting renters.
The new provisions, adopted by the Hillsborough County Commission, require residential landlords in unincorporated Hillsborough County to give at least 60 days’ notice for rent increases higher than 5% and must meet minimum notice requirements for terminating leases, according to a county news release.
Those provisions are included in the Tenants’ Bill of Rights ordinance, adopted by the Hillsborough county board earlier this month.
Provisions to the Tenant’s Bill of Right Ordinance expand the required notifications to include:
- At least 30 days’ notice before termination of residential month-to-month leases
- At least 60 days’ notice for the termination of all other residential leases
- At least 60 days’ notice for residential rent increases of more than 5% for leases with a specific term
The ordinance changes took effect on Aug. 8.
Enforcement penalties for landlords begin on Oct. 1.
Violation of the ordinance is punishable by a $500 fine for a first offense and any subsequent offenses.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners first approved the Tenant’s Bill of Rights Ordinance in March 2021, with its provisions going into effect July 1 of that year. The ordinance requires landlords to provide new tenants and those renewing their lease a copy of the Tenant’s Bill of Rights and Resources. Among other provisions, the ordinance bans discrimination based on lawful income, requires written notice of each late fee, and prohibits retaliation for tenants who report a health or safety violation or file a Fair Housing complaint.
Full details on Hillsborough County’s Tenant’s Bill of Rights Ordinance and how to report violations are available at HCFLGov.net/TenantRights.
Published August 17, 2022
