Eviction in Hillsborough County: A Landlord’s Guide to Selling Without the Stress

If you are a landlord in Hillsborough County dealing with a non-paying tenant, a squatter, or a lease violation, you know the frustration firsthand. Whether your property is in Tampa, Brandon, or Plant City, a bad tenant can turn a profitable investment into a financial nightmare.

In Hillsborough County, the eviction process is handled by the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller (County Civil Division) and enforced by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Unlike some other states, Florida moves relatively quickly, but you must strictly follow the “Count I” (Possession) vs. “Count II” (Damages) filing structure, or your case will be stuck in limbo.

This guide is designed to help landlords in Riverview, Valrico, and Ruskin understand the specific Florida eviction timeline and how to sell your rental property with the tenant in place to stop the bleeding immediately.

The Hillsborough County Eviction Timeline (The “Hard Way”)

Evictions in Florida are governed by Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes. In Hillsborough County, you must follow these steps precisely.

Step 1: The Formal Notice Before filing a lawsuit, you must serve the correct notice.

  • 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit: For non-payment of rent. This excludes weekends and legal holidays. If you serve it on Friday, day one is Monday.
  • 7-Day Notice (Cure): For fixable lease violations (e.g., unauthorized parking).
  • 7-Day Notice (No Cure): For severe violations (e.g., destruction of property) or repeat offenses.
  • 30-Day Notice: To end a month-to-month lease (Effective under recent FL Statute changes, this is no longer 15 days).

2026 Pro Tip – Email Notices: Under the newly effective House Bill 615, you may now send eviction notices via email ONLY IF your lease agreement explicitly consents to email communication. If your lease is older or doesn’t have this clause, you must stick to paper posting or mail.

Step 2: Filing the Complaint (Count I vs. Count II) If the tenant doesn’t leave, you file your “Complaint for Eviction” at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa (or the Plant City branch).

  • Count I (Possession): This asks the court to kick the tenant out.
  • Count II (Damages): This asks the court to force the tenant to pay back rent.
  • The Strategy: Most smart landlords file only Count I first to get the property back fast. Adding Count II can slow down the process if the tenant fights the money amount.
  • The Cost: Filing fee is approximately $185.00 plus $10.00 per summons.

Step 3: Service of Process The Sheriff (or a private process server) must serve the summons. The Sheriff charges $40.00 per defendant. The tenant then has 5 business days to respond to the court.

Step 4: The Motion for Default If the tenant does not respond (or fails to deposit rent into the Court Registry), you file a Motion for Default Judgment. In Hillsborough County, clerks process these relatively quickly, allowing you to skip a hearing and go straight to the final judgment.

Step 5: The Writ of Possession Once the judge signs the Final Judgment, you must file for a Writ of Possession.

  • The Cost: Sheriff’s fee is $90.00.
  • The Lockout: The Sheriff posts a 24-Hour Notice on the door. If the tenant isn’t gone after 24 hours, the Sheriff returns to physically remove them while you change the locks.

The Hidden Costs of Eviction

Evicting a tenant in Hillsborough County is expensive.

  • Lost Rent: The process (Notice + 5-Day Wait + Default + Writ + Sheriff Scheduling) typically takes 4-7 weeks. In areas like South Tampa or Westchase, that is $3,000 – $6,000+ in lost income.
  • Attorney Fees: A contested eviction in Tampa often costs $1,500 – $3,500.
  • Clean-Out Costs: Unlike Maryland, you don’t need a massive moving crew, but you are responsible for removing any abandoned property left at the curb, which can cost hundreds in trash hauling fees.

Your Options: Evict or Sell?

Option 1: Finish the Eviction (Keep the Stress) You continue paying the mortgage, taxes, and insurance while receiving zero rent. You drive down to Twiggs Street to file paperwork and hope the tenant doesn’t damage the AC unit on their way out.

Option 2: Sell With the Tenant In Place (Walk Away) You can sell the property today, regardless of the tenant situation.

We Buy Hillsborough County Rental Properties.

  • We Buy the Lease: We inherit the “bad” tenant. You don’t need to evict them.
  • We Buy As-Is: If the tenant trashed the unit, we don’t care. We buy it in current condition.
  • Cash Closing: We can close in as little as 10-14 days, putting cash in your pocket and ending your landlord liability instantly.

Important Contact Information

  • Hillsborough County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
    • Address: 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602 (Edgecomb Courthouse)
    • Phone: (813) 276-8100
    • Website: hillsclerk.com
  • Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (Civil Process)
    • Address: 700 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
    • Phone: (813) 247-8130
    • Website: teamhcso.com

Stop The Bleeding. Sell Your Rental Today.

If you are tired of chasing rent, dealing with squatters, or navigating the Hillsborough County Court system, we can help. Fill out the form below for a fair cash offer on your rental property.

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Disclaimer: Consistent Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm, not a law firm or financial institution. We do not provide legal or tax advice. We recommend all clients consult with their own legal counsel regarding estate matters.