Step-by-Step: Serving an Eviction Notice in Plant City
If you’re a landlord or property manager in Plant City, Florida, dealing with tenants who haven’t paid rent or violated a lease, you may find yourself needing to serve an eviction notice. Florida has strict eviction laws, and the process can be confusing if you’ve never handled it before.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to serving an eviction notice in Plant City—so you can protect your property and avoid costly legal mistakes.
Step 1: Know Which Eviction Notice to Use
Florida law requires different notices depending on the situation:
- 3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate – Used when tenants fail to pay rent.
- 7-Day Notice to Cure – Used when tenants break a lease rule but can fix the issue (e.g., unauthorized pets).
- 7-Day Unconditional Quit Notice – Used for serious or repeat violations (e.g., property damage, criminal activity).
Choosing the correct notice is critical—using the wrong one could delay your case.
Step 2: Draft the Eviction Notice Properly
The notice must clearly include:
- Tenant’s full name(s)
- Rental property address
- Reason for eviction
- Deadline to comply or move out
- Landlord or property manager’s signature
Even a small error can make the notice invalid.
Step 3: Deliver the Eviction Notice Legally
Under Florida Statute §83.56, eviction notices must be served properly. You can:
- Deliver it personally to the tenant.
- Leave it with someone 15 years or older at the property.
- Post it in a conspicuous place (like the front door) if no one is available.
⚠️ Many landlords make the mistake of just slipping it under the door or mailing it—this could make the notice invalid.
Step 4: Use a Licensed Process Server
While landlords can serve notices themselves, hiring a licensed process server in Plant City ensures the notice is served correctly, documented, and backed up with proof.
At A Local Serve LLC, we provide:
- GPS-stamped proof of service
- Photo confirmation of delivery
- Professional, typed affidavits of service
This creates bulletproof evidence in case your tenant challenges the eviction in court.
Step 5: File the Eviction in Court (If Needed)
If the tenant does not comply within the notice period, the next step is filing an eviction lawsuit with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. At that point, the tenant will be officially served with a summons and complaint—something that must be handled by a sheriff or certified process server.
Final Thoughts
Serving an eviction notice in Plant City isn’t just about dropping off a piece of paper—it’s about following Florida law to the letter. Doing it wrong can cost you weeks or even months in delays.
That’s why landlords and property managers trust A Local Serve. We handle eviction notices quickly, professionally, and with proof that holds up in court.
👉 Need help serving an eviction notice in Plant City? Contact us today for fast, reliable process serving so you can get back control of your property.