Buying Florida homes since 2012 · 650+ homes purchased
Can you sell a Florida property with a nonpaying tenant or a squatter in it? Often, yes. The first question is who the occupant is. A tenant with a rental agreement, even one who stopped paying, is removed through the eviction process, while someone who never had permission may fall under Florida’s 2024 law that lets the sheriff remove unauthorized occupants.
We look at occupied properties and can buy some with the problem still unresolved. We do not advise self-help, and we do not make legal promises. Possession disputes should go through a Florida landlord-tenant attorney and the court or sheriff process the law requires. Everything here is general information, not legal advice.
Takes 60 seconds. No obligation.
We start by sorting out whether the occupant is a tenant, a holdover or a squatter, because that sets the timeline.
A property with an eviction in progress can still be evaluated, with the case documents disclosed.
Cleanup, repairs and missing fixtures are part of the offer, not your to-do list.
No lockouts, utility shutoffs or other self-help that Florida law prohibits.
A tenant is anyone with a rental agreement, written or oral, that the owner authorized, including a tenant who has stopped paying or stayed after the lease ended. Removing a tenant goes through county court under Part II of Chapter 83. For unpaid rent that starts with a written 3-day notice that does not count weekends or court holidays (section 83.56(3)), then an eviction lawsuit if the tenant neither pays nor leaves, and finally a writ of possession carried out by the sheriff.
A squatter is someone who moved in without permission and was never a tenant. Under section 82.036, created in 2024 and amended since, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent can file a sworn complaint with the county sheriff to remove unauthorized people from a residential property. Every condition has to be met: they entered and stayed unlawfully, the property was not open to the public when they entered, the owner told them to leave, they are not current or former tenants, they are not the owner’s immediate family, and no lawsuit between the owner and the occupants is pending. The sheriff verifies the owner, serves a notice to vacate immediately and can put the owner back in possession. A false complaint or a wrongful removal can make the owner liable for damages.
Florida law forbids a landlord from cutting off a tenant’s utilities, changing the locks, removing doors or taking a tenant’s belongings to force them out (section 83.67). A landlord who does can owe the tenant actual and consequential damages or three months’ rent, whichever is greater, plus court costs and attorney’s fees. We will not ask you to do any of that before a sale.
A property can be sold while an eviction is pending. The contract should say who carries the case forward and who receives any unpaid rent or judgment, and the buyer will want the notices, filings and the case number.
If the occupants clearly qualify under section 82.036, the owner may prefer to file the sheriff complaint before selling, since the law is written for the owner or the owner’s agent. If it is not clear whether someone is a tenant, talk to an attorney before filing anything.
Occupant damage, trash and missing fixtures are priced into an as-is offer. If we cannot see the interior until possession is recovered, the written offer will say how that is handled.
Leases, the rent ledger, every notice served, court case numbers, police or sheriff reports, deposit records and recent photos.
These primary sources can help you verify the general information discussed above. For advice about your documents or deadlines, consult the appropriate Florida professional.
Official Florida statutes governing residential tenancies.
Conditions, the sworn complaint form and the sheriff’s role in removing unauthorized occupants.
Why lockouts, utility shutoffs and removing a tenant’s belongings are not allowed.
No matter the property type or its condition, we make fair cash offers throughout Florida. Explore what we buy:
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Closed in 27 days · January 2026
Read the transaction details“I live out of state and was trying to sell a rental property in Tampa that had been trashed by bad tenants. I couldn't keep flying down to deal with contractors. They bought it completely as-is, handled the title work remotely, and the wire was in my account the day after closing. Super smooth transaction.”
Robert · Tampa, FL
Rental property
Read more approved customer storiesThree transparent decisions take you from an initial a Florida sell with bad tenants or squatters sale property review to a title-company closing.
Share the address, condition, occupancy, and your preferred timing. Photos are helpful but are not required to begin.
For the a Florida sell with bad tenants or squatters sale property, we review comparable sales, title, and condition—including occupant status reviewed first, pending cases considered, damage priced as-is—then explain the no-obligation cash terms.
If the a Florida sell with bad tenants or squatters sale offer fits, a licensed title company verifies ownership and payoffs. A clear-title purchase can close in as little as 10 days, or later when you need time.
Straight answers so you can make the right decision.
Often, yes. A buyer can take the property with the tenancy and any eviction in progress, as long as the lease, payment history, notices and court status are disclosed. A landlord-tenant attorney should advise on the eviction itself.
Section 82.036, created in 2024, lets the owner of a residential property ask the county sheriff to remove unauthorized occupants by filing a sworn complaint. It applies only if they entered unlawfully, were never tenants, are not immediate family, and no related lawsuit is pending.
No. The law excludes current and former tenants under a written or oral rental agreement the owner authorized. Removing a tenant, even one who has stopped paying, still goes through an eviction in county court under Chapter 83.
No. Section 83.67 prohibits it, and a landlord who does can owe the tenant at least three months’ rent plus costs and attorney’s fees. Use the court process.
Not always. Some purchases can close with the occupancy in place, while others need possession recovered first. We tell you which after reviewing the documents, and a Florida attorney can advise on the legal steps.
Plain-English explanations of the Florida rules behind this situation:
We buy houses in every major Florida market. Start with your city:
Before you decide, see exactly what happens and get straight answers:
Tell us how sell with bad tenants or squatters affects your property and timing. We will review the facts, explain the written offer, and leave the decision with you.
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