As a landlord, can I change the locks of the rental property if a tenant has not paid their rent?
No. Florida law prohibits self-help eviction, which involves the situation where a landlord attempts to change the locks or does any other act to prevent the tenant from entering the premises. Landlords are strongly advised to follow formal eviction procedures in order to legally remove the tenant from the rental premises. A tenant may have a cause of action against the landlord for constructive eviction if the landlord takes such action, and a tenant may be entitled to damages.
