Florida statute 83.67(1) prohibits a landlord from directly or indirectly causing the termination or interruption of any utility service furnished the tenant, including, but not limited to, water, heat, light, electricity, gas, elevator, garbage collection, or refrigeration, whether or not the utility service is under the control of, or payment is made by, the landlord. Under section 6, a landlord who violates the statute is liable to the tenant for actual and consequential damages or 3 months’ rent, whichever is greater, and costs, including attorney’s fees.
In few words, If a residential tenant does not make a timely rent payment, the landlord is not permitted to cut off the tenant’s services like electricity or garbage collection service or simply change the locks to prevent the tenant from gaining access to the dwelling. By doing this, the Landlord would be liable to the tenant for actual and consequential damages or three months’ rent, whichever is greater, and costs, including attorneys’ fees.
In addition, a landlord of any dwelling unit governed by this part shall not remove the outside doors, locks, roof, walls, or windows of the unit except for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement.