Can I Sue for Wrongful Eviction in Florida?

Yes. Florida law (Section 83.67, Florida Statutes) makes it illegal for a property owner to remove an occupant without going through the proper court process — and the financial consequences for getting this wrong are real.

What Counts as a Wrongful "Self-Help" Eviction?

• Changing the locks without a court order
• Removing someone's belongings
• Shutting off utilities to force someone out
• Physically blocking someone from entering

What Happens If a Property Owner Does This?

Under Florida Statute 83.67, a property owner who attempts self-help removal can be held liable for:

• The occupant's actual and consequential damages, or three months' rent — whichever is greater
• The occupant's court filing costs
• The occupant's attorney's fees

This is exactly why the correct legal process — Unlawful Detainer or standard eviction, depending on your situation — matters, even when it feels slower than just changing the locks yourself.

The Right Way to Handle This

If there's no lease and no rent agreement, the correct process is an Unlawful Detainer filing, not self-help removal. It takes longer than changing the locks — but it's the legally protected path, and it avoids the exact liability described above.