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Pro Se›Baker County

Residential Eviction (Landlord–Tenant) in Baker County, Florida

Residential evictions in Florida proceed under Part II of Chapter 83, Florida Statutes (the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), using the summary procedure of section 51.011 — a fast-track process with shortened response times.

Where this case is heard in Baker County

  • Court: Baker County Court · Eighth Judicial Circuit (Circuit 8)
  • Filing: e-file through the statewide portal at myflcourtaccess.com or in person with the Baker County Clerk of Court.
  • Local bench: 1 judges verified for Baker County — check the assigned judge's practice preferences before any hearing.

The procedure, step by step

  1. 1. Notice comes first

    For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 3-day notice to pay rent or vacate (§ 83.56(3), Fla. Stat.) before filing. Other lease violations use the 7-day notice under § 83.56(2).

  2. 2. The complaint is filed in county court

    Eviction complaints for possession are filed with the clerk of the county court where the property sits and proceed by summary procedure (§ 51.011, Fla. Stat.) — the tenant has 5 business days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) after service to respond to the possession count.

  3. 3. Tenants: the rent registry rule is strict

    A tenant contesting a nonpayment eviction generally must deposit the accrued rent (and rent as it comes due) into the court registry, or file a motion to determine the amount, by the answer deadline — failure to do so is an absolute waiver of most defenses and entitles the landlord to an immediate default judgment of possession (§ 83.60(2), Fla. Stat.).

Common questions

How fast is a Florida eviction case?
Possession counts run on summary procedure (§ 51.011, Fla. Stat.): 5 business days to answer after service. If the tenant does not answer or deposit rent into the registry as § 83.60(2) requires, a default can follow quickly.
Does a tenant have to pay rent into the court registry to fight an eviction?
In most nonpayment cases, yes — § 83.60(2), Fla. Stat. requires depositing the disputed rent into the registry (or moving to determine the amount) by the answer deadline; otherwise defenses other than payment are waived.

Governing authority

  • Ch. 83, Part II, Fla. Stat. (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
  • § 83.56, Fla. Stat. (termination notices)
  • § 83.60(2), Fla. Stat. (rent into registry)
  • § 51.011, Fla. Stat. (summary procedure)

Procedural information only — not legal advice and not a substitute for an attorney. Statewide rules are summarized with citations; local practice varies by division and judge, so verify deadlines with the BakerCounty clerk and review the assigned judge's verified preferences on the Baker County page.