By Prop Hunters · Updated October 16, 2026 · Miami Lakes, FL
Yes, you can sell a house in Florida with tenants in it. The lease generally continues after the sale, and the new owner takes the property subject to it, so a buyer either keeps the tenant or you resolve the tenancy first by lawful means. You can’t simply force a tenant out — Florida law requires proper notice and, if needed, a court eviction, and it prohibits lockouts and utility shut-offs.
A sale does not cancel a lease. If a tenant has a lease through December, the buyer generally takes the house with that lease in place. Security deposits and prepaid rent are normally handled at closing, and the buyer becomes the landlord. Your closing agent or attorney can help with tenant notices.
Florida prohibits a landlord from changing locks, removing a tenant’s belongings or cutting off utilities to force someone out (Fla. Stat. § 83.67). Showings need reasonable notice — Florida law refers to at least 12 hours’ notice for a landlord to enter. Violating these rules can expose you to liability.
Non-paying tenants, damaged houses and tenants who won’t allow access make a traditional sale very hard. Buyers who purchase as-is with the tenant in place can take on that problem. Tell us the lease terms, the rent, whether the tenant is current and the condition of the house, and we’ll look at it.
No. A tenant doesn’t have to leave just because you sell. The lease generally continues, and the buyer takes the house subject to it.
Yes. Some buyers purchase with the tenant in place, and some sellers resolve the tenancy first through the legal eviction process. Talk to a Florida attorney about the right path for your case.
Florida law allows landlord entry on reasonable notice, but a tenant who is uncooperative can make showings difficult. That’s one reason many landlords sell to an investor who doesn’t need repeated showings.
It is normally transferred or credited at closing so the new owner holds it. Your closing agent will handle the details.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Florida law changes, and every situation is different — talk to a Florida attorney or tax professional about yours.