Hillsborough County Eviction Process

Hillsborough County Eviction Process: A Guide for Landlords

The Hillsborough County eviction process follows Florida landlord-tenant law, but local agencies handle several important stages. A landlord with rental property in Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Temple Terrace, Plant City, Carrollwood, Town ’N’ Country, or another Hillsborough County community may interact with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller, the county court, a sheriff or certified process server, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

This guide explains the general progression from a landlord notice through court filing, service, court review, judgment, and a sheriff-executed writ of possession. It also identifies official Hillsborough County resources landlords can use to verify forms, fees, filing procedures, and civil-process information.

This page provides general educational information. It does not select a notice, calculate a deadline, determine whether a case is legally sufficient, predict a court ruling, or provide legal advice. Florida law and local procedures can change. A landlord who needs advice about a specific tenancy, defense, disputed fact, or court filing should consult a licensed Florida attorney. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

For an overview of the statewide stages, read:

Florida Eviction Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Landlords

Does Hillsborough County Have Its Own Eviction Law?

Florida law generally controls residential evictions throughout the state. Hillsborough County does not replace those statewide requirements with a separate eviction law.

The local part of the process involves administration. Hillsborough County agencies may establish current filing procedures, accepted payment methods, office instructions, service practices, forms, and fees. Those local procedures affect how a case moves through the county system, but they do not change the Florida statutes or decide whether a landlord is entitled to possession.

The judge decides whether possession should be awarded. If the court enters a judgment for possession and the clerk issues a writ of possession, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office carries out the writ. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

Step 1: Review the Tenancy and Reason Possession Is Sought

Before delivering a notice or filing a case, a landlord should organize the records connected with the tenancy. These may include:

The signed rental agreement and any renewals or addenda.
A complete rent ledger and payment history.
The names of all known adult occupants.
The full address and unit number of the rental property.
Communications with the tenant.
Prior notices and records showing delivery.
Photographs, inspection notes, incident reports, or other relevant records.
Documents showing the owner’s legal name and interest in the property.

The reason possession is sought affects the notice and allegations that may apply. Nonpayment of rent, an alleged lease violation, termination of a periodic tenancy, and expiration of a fixed term are different situations.

When the facts are disputed, the lease is unclear, multiple grounds may exist, or the tenant has raised legal claims, a landlord should obtain legal advice before proceeding. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

Step 2: Deliver the Applicable Written Notice

Many residential eviction cases begin with a written landlord notice. Common notice categories include:

A Three-Day Notice concerning nonpayment of rent.
A Seven-Day Notice concerning certain curable noncompliance.
A Seven-Day Notice of Termination concerning certain noncurable, subsequent, or continuing noncompliance.
A Thirty-Day Notice used to terminate a month-to-month tenancy without alleging misconduct.

These notices are not interchangeable. The correct notice, wording, amount, delivery method, and expiration date can depend on the rental agreement and the facts.

Florida’s former 15-day notice period for terminating a month-to-month residential tenancy is no longer current. Section 83.57, Florida Statutes, generally requires at least 30 days’ notice before the end of a monthly period. Landlords should rely on the current statute rather than an older form or webpage. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

For general notice explanations and downloadable forms, visit:

Florida Eviction Notices and Forms

Step 3: Allow the Notice Period to Expire

When a notice period applies, the landlord generally waits until it has fully expired before filing an action based on that notice. The rules for counting days are not identical for every notice.

During the notice period, the tenant may pay, correct an alleged violation, vacate, communicate with the landlord, dispute the notice, or remain after the deadline. The landlord should document payments, communications, returned keys, and any apparent surrender of possession.

Accepting money, entering a new agreement, or taking other action after delivering a notice may affect the situation. A landlord who is unsure of the legal effect should speak with an attorney.

Step 4: File the Case With the Hillsborough County Clerk

If the tenancy has been terminated and the tenant remains, a residential eviction action is generally filed in county court in the county where the property is located. For Hillsborough County property, the Clerk’s County Civil Department maintains eviction case records and provides local filing information.

The documents needed depend on the claims and circumstances. A filing may include a complaint, summons, rental agreement, landlord notice, and information showing how the notice was delivered. A claim seeking possession only may proceed differently from a case that also seeks past-due rent or other money damages.

The Clerk provides both in-person and electronic filing information. Electronic filing does not necessarily make every part of summons issuance electronic. Landlords should review the Clerk’s current eviction and e-filing instructions before submitting documents. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

Official local starting point:

Hillsborough County Clerk — Eviction Process

Hillsborough County Eviction Filing Fees

The Hillsborough County Clerk currently lists a $185 filing fee for eviction of a tenant. Additional charges may apply for summons issuance, copies, mailing, service, a writ of possession, or a money claim.

Fees and accepted payment methods can change. A landlord should verify the current total with the Clerk and the agency or process server handling service rather than relying on an older packet or third-party webpage.

Check Current Hillsborough Clerk Fees

Step 5: Have the Tenant Served With Court Papers

After a case is filed and the summons is issued, the tenant must be served through an authorized method. Service of the court summons and complaint is a separate stage from delivery of the pre-suit landlord notice.

The summons explains that a case has been filed and states the tenant’s response obligations. A possession claim generally has an expedited response period, while a claim for money damages may have a different response period.

Court papers may be served by the sheriff or a certified process server as permitted by law. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office publishes a current fee schedule and provides an online civil-process inquiry for documents submitted to the Sheriff.

Hillsborough County Sheriff — Civil Process

Check Sheriff Civil-Process Status

Landlords should monitor the court docket and the service return. If service is unsuccessful or the documents contain inconsistent names or addresses, the case may require additional work before it can proceed.

Step 6: The Tenant May Respond

A tenant may file a response, raise defenses, dispute the amount of rent alleged, request a hearing, deposit money into the court registry, or take other action permitted by law.

What happens next depends on the filings and the judge’s review. If no timely response is filed, the landlord may request a default using the applicable procedure. A default or judgment is not automatic merely because the landlord submits a request.

Legal issues may arise when a tenant alleges defective notice, improper rent calculations, payment, retaliation, discrimination, habitability problems, bankruptcy, military status, lack of ownership, or another defense. These matters may require legal analysis and should be referred to a Florida attorney. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

Step 7: Court Review, Hearing, or Judgment

The county court determines whether the landlord is entitled to possession. Depending on the case, the court may:

Review a request for default.
Require corrected or additional documents.
Consider a tenant response or court-registry issue.
Schedule a hearing.
Enter a judgment for possession.
Deny relief or dismiss a case when required elements are not established.

Landlords should keep their lease, ledger, notices, delivery records, communications, and other supporting documents organized and available. Only the judge can decide the disputed legal and factual issues. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

Step 8: Obtain and Deliver the Writ of Possession

A judgment for possession does not authorize a landlord to remove the tenant personally. After judgment, the clerk may issue a writ of possession directing the sheriff to restore possession.

The Hillsborough County Clerk publishes separate information for final judgments and the writ of possession. The Sheriff’s Office currently instructs the requesting party to take the required paperwork to its Civil Process Section at 700 East Twiggs Street, third floor, Tampa, Florida 33602. Its published hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding closures. The Sheriff currently lists a $90 processing fee for a writ of possession.

Addresses, hours, procedures, and fees can change. Confirm them directly before traveling or submitting payment.

Hillsborough County Sheriff — Writ of Possession Information

Step 9: Sheriff Posting and Restoration of Possession

Section 83.62, Florida Statutes, directs the sheriff to put the landlord in possession after 24 hours’ notice is conspicuously posted at the premises. Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays do not pause that statutory 24-hour notice period.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office states that after it receives the writ, the matter is assigned to a deputy who contacts the person listed on the paperwork to schedule the eviction. Sheriff workload, paperwork issues, scheduling, and other circumstances can affect when execution occurs.

The landlord should follow the deputy’s instructions concerning access, locks, personnel, and the condition of the property. The landlord should not enter early, change locks prematurely, shut off utilities to force a move, or carry out an independent physical removal. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

How Long Does a Hillsborough County Eviction Take?

There is no guaranteed completion time. The total may be affected by:

The type and length of the initial notice.
Whether the notice or its delivery is disputed.
Filing and summons issuance.
The time needed to complete service.
Whether the tenant responds or raises defenses.
Court-registry disputes.
Judicial review and hearing availability.
Corrections requested by the clerk or court.
Bankruptcy or another proceeding affecting the case.
Sheriff scheduling after the writ is delivered.

The Florida eviction timeline guide explains these variables in more detail:

Read the Florida Eviction Timeline Guide

Common Hillsborough County Filing Problems

Administrative problems that may slow a case include:

Using different names for the tenant in the notice, complaint, and summons.
Omitting a unit number or using an inconsistent property address.
Filing before the notice period has expired.
Failing to retain a copy of the notice or delivery record.
Combining possession and money claims without accounting for their different procedures.
Submitting an incomplete summons packet.
Failing to monitor the docket or service return.
Using an outdated form, fee, mailing instruction, or notice period.
Assuming that a judgment allows the landlord to remove the tenant without the Sheriff.

Good recordkeeping cannot guarantee a result, but it can reduce avoidable confusion. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

Hillsborough County Eviction Process FAQs

Where are Hillsborough County residential eviction cases filed?

They are generally filed in Hillsborough County Court through the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and Comptroller because the rental property is located in Hillsborough County. The Clerk’s website provides current County Civil filing and e-filing information.

Can a Tampa landlord file an eviction electronically?

The Clerk provides electronic filing information, but summons issuance may require additional documents, copies, envelopes, postage, or fees. Review the Clerk’s current instructions before filing.

Can the Clerk tell a landlord which notice to use?

The Clerk can provide forms and procedural information but cannot give legal advice or decide which notice fits a landlord’s facts. A Florida attorney can provide advice when the correct notice is uncertain. Hillsborough County Eviction Process.

Who serves the eviction summons in Hillsborough County?

The summons and complaint may be served by the Hillsborough County Sheriff or a certified process server as permitted by law. This is different from delivery of the landlord notice before suit.

Who removes the tenant after judgment?

The Hillsborough County Sheriff executes a court-issued writ of possession. A landlord should not perform an independent physical removal.

How much does a Hillsborough County eviction cost?

The Clerk currently lists a $185 eviction filing fee, and the Sheriff currently lists a $90 writ-of-possession fee. Summons issuance, copies, postage, service, money claims, and other items may add to the total. Verify all current fees before filing.

Does the writ guarantee immediate possession?

No. The writ must be delivered and processed, statutory notice must be posted, and the deputy must schedule execution. The precise timing cannot be guaranteed.

Does this page cover Pinellas or Pasco County procedures?

No. Florida law generally applies statewide, but each county may have different clerk and sheriff instructions. Separate Knowledge Center pages will address Pinellas and Pasco County procedures.

Need Non-Attorney Administrative Assistance?

Florida Landlord Eviction Service LLC has assisted Tampa Bay rental-property owners since 2012. Available non-attorney services may include delivery of a landlord-selected notice, organizing standard paperwork using information provided by the property owner, monitoring publicly available case status, providing administrative updates, and coordinating permitted scheduling tasks.

Visit EvictMyTenant911.com

Call (813) 433-0120

Florida Landlord Eviction Service LLC is not a law firm. We are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice, select notices, calculate legal deadlines, determine legal sufficiency, represent anyone in court, or predict case results.

Official Hillsborough County and Florida Resources

Information and local fees checked July 21, 2026. Verify current requirements with the official agency before filing or delivering paperwork.