First-Time Landlord in Tampa Bay: From Vacant Home to Signed Lease

This guide covers those leasing steps, selected Florida deposit and notice rules, tax questions for a CPA, and BayTown's management services. BayTown serves residential rentals throughout Hillsborough and Pasco counties; its free management quote includes what your property should rent for and every fee in writing, with no obligation.

Before You List: What Should You Confirm?

Confirm the rent estimate, the work involved in leasing and management, and the fees before you list. Separately, ask a Florida attorney about deposit and notice requirements and a CPA about rental-income reporting.

The IRS generally requires rental income to be reported, but allowable deductions and reporting treatment vary. Depreciation has its own rules, so ask your CPA what applies to your property rather than assuming an expense is deductible.

BayTown's free management quote includes what the property should rent for and every fee in writing, with no obligation.

• Ask BayTown for a rent estimate based on real comparable rentals.
• Confirm deposit holding and notice requirements with a Florida attorney.
• Ask a CPA how to report rental income and which deductions and depreciation rules apply.
• Review the management scope and every fee in writing before deciding.

How Do You Go From a Vacant Home to a Signed Lease?

The leasing sequence is pricing, marketing, showings and applications, applicant checks, then the lease, move-in, and keys. These are BayTown's leasing services for residential rentals throughout Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

BayTown performs financial checks and reference verification on every applicant. Ask Emily to explain the leasing scope and its separate one-time fee in your free quote.

• Set the asking rent using real comparable rentals.
• Market the vacancy where renters look.
• Arrange showings and collect applications.
• Complete financial checks and reference verification on every applicant.
• Handle the lease, move-in, and keys.

How Must You Hold and Return a Florida Security Deposit?

The supplied Florida statute identifies separate deposit accounts and a surety bond as holding options, and prohibits commingling deposit money with the landlord's own funds. After termination of the rental agreement, the initial deadline is 15 days to return the deposit when no claim is intended, or 30 days to provide the required written notice when a claim is intended.

A non-interest-bearing account must be at a Florida financial institution and held for the tenant's benefit. An interest-bearing account triggers statutory interest rules; the bond option involves posting a surety bond with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the dwelling is located. Confirm the holding method and all applicable requirements with a Florida attorney before collecting the deposit.

The quoted disclosure rule calls for written notice in the lease or within 30 days after receipt of a deposit or advance rent. Its subsection does not apply to landlords renting fewer than five individual dwelling units. Ask your attorney whether that exception applies to you and what your notice must include; do not treat it as an exemption from all deposit rules.

The deadlines below use different starting points: termination of the rental agreement, receipt of the claim notice, and the notice date. Have your attorney confirm those dates and review the notice before you send it. Missing the required 30-day claim notice forfeits the right to impose a claim against the deposit.

If the tenant objects, ask your attorney how to proceed. In a court action over entitlement to the deposit, the quoted statute entitles the prevailing party to court costs and a reasonable attorney fee; discuss that exposure with your attorney before pursuing a dispute.

For deposit purposes, the quoted statute treats a renewal as a new rental agreement and a carried-forward deposit as a new deposit. It also requires deposits and advance rents held for tenants to transfer to the new agent when the designated rental agent changes. Confirm the applicable renewal paperwork or transfer arrangements with your attorney.

• No claim intended: return the deposit and any required interest within 15 days after termination of the rental agreement.
• Claim intended: provide the required written notice within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement.
• Objection period: the tenant has 15 days after receiving the claim notice to object.
• Absent an objection: the landlord may deduct the claim and must remit the balance within 30 days after the notice date.

What Notice Applies to Unpaid Rent or Ending a Tenancy?

For unpaid rent, the quoted Florida rule uses a written demand for payment or possession followed by 3 days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Ending a periodic tenancy uses a different notice period tied to the rental period, as listed below.

If nonpayment continues through the applicable period after delivery of the demand, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement. Ask a Florida attorney to confirm the notice, delivery requirements, and deadline calculation before acting.

Accepting partial rent does not by itself waive the right to terminate for that noncompliance, but accepting it after posting a nonpayment notice triggers additional statutory steps. The supplied excerpt does not identify those steps; confirm them with your attorney before accepting partial rent in that situation.

For a curable non-rent violation, the quoted rule provides a written notice specifying the problem and allowing 7 days from delivery to correct it. Ask your attorney whether the violation is curable and which notice applies. The quoted statute says its specified termination notice requirements cannot be waived in the rental agreement.

For periodic tenancies, confirm the applicable rental period, notice requirements, and end date with your attorney before using the periods below.

• Month-to-month: not less than 30 days' notice before the end of a monthly period.
• Week-to-week: not less than 7 days' notice before the end of a weekly period.
• Year-to-year: not less than 60 days' notice before the end of an annual period.

What Should a First-Time Landlord Check Before Proceeding?

Check the rent estimate, applicant-review process, deposit arrangements, and responsibility for ongoing management. For legal notices and deposit deadlines, ask a Florida attorney to confirm the steps that apply to your situation.

Use this checklist when reviewing your own plan or discussing a management quote with Emily.

• Use real comparable rentals for the asking-rent estimate.
• Plan financial checks and reference verification for every applicant.
• Confirm the deposit holding method and initial disclosure requirements with a Florida attorney.
• Have your attorney confirm the deposit-return or claim-notice deadline before acting.
• Ask your attorney about the required follow-up before accepting partial rent after a nonpayment notice.
• Confirm who handles tenant communication, maintenance coordination, inspections, and monthly reporting.

What Does BayTown Manage, and What Does It Cost?

BayTown's monthly management covers tenant relations, rent collection, maintenance coordination, scheduled inspections, reporting, and market analysis. The fee is a flat $149 per month, whatever the rent, taken only from rent collected; there is no management fee while the property is vacant.

Leasing and renewals are separate one-time fees that Emily explains in the free quote. The quote includes what your property should rent for and every fee in writing, with no obligation.

Emily Brown is your single point of contact and replies personally by text or email, usually right away. Antonio Lombardo, co-founder and broker of record, covers when Emily is out and handles builder-warranty and remediation questions.

Repairs up to $350 proceed without needing your authorization. Large repairs and improvements go through multiple bids, with you involved in the decision and scheduling.

Owner proceeds are paid by ACH, usually by the 10th of each month. Timing depends on the payment processor, when the tenant pays, and weekends and holidays. Current clients have a separate 24/7 emergency line for urgent after-hours issues; Emily handles emergencies with support from the emergency-line service.

There is no long-term contract. If you leave, BayTown hands over the files, keys, and tenant relationship. Request your free management quote to review the rent estimate, services, and fees for your home.

• Tenant relations and rent collection with a monthly statement.
• Maintenance and repair coordination.
• Inspections at least once a year and/or between tenants, with additional inspections on request.
• Monthly reporting, market analysis, and a 24/7 owner portal.

Sources

• Fla. Stat. 83.49 (security deposits)
• Fla. Stat. 83.56 (termination, notices)
• Fla. Stat. 83.57 (ending tenancies without a set term)
• IRS Publication 527 (residential rental property)

Related pages

• What property management costs in Tampa
• Questions to ask a property manager
• Caring for a vacant rental in Tampa
• Accidental landlord in Tampa
• Request your free management quote

By Antonio Lombardo · Last updated November 10, 2026