Eviction in Polk County (Lakeland), Florida
Where eviction cases are filed in Polk County (Lakeland), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Polk County (Lakeland)
- Eviction court
- County Court in and for Polk County (10th Judicial Circuit) — Polk County Clerk of Courts, Civil Law — County Court (civil) Court page
- Filing fee
- $185 tenant eviction (possession only); $10 per summons; $40 sheriff service per defendant; $90 writ of possession service (Sheriff) Polk Clerk — Evictions; Fees
- Notice before filing (state law)
- 3-day written notice to pay or vacate, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and court-observed legal holidays, substantially in the statutory form. Florida rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,497/month HUD
- Renter households
- 85,480 (30% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Polk County (Lakeland)
Eviction cases in Polk County (Lakeland) are heard by the County Court in and for Polk County (10th Judicial Circuit) — Polk County Clerk of Courts, Civil Law (County Court (civil)).
- Clerk's Bartow office (eviction filings) · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center
Submit eviction filings in person or by mail to the Bartow office; filings sent elsewhere are delayed. TurboCourt guided forms available. Phone 863-534-4000.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Polk County (Lakeland)
$185 tenant eviction (possession only); $10 per summons; $40 sheriff service per defendant; $90 writ of possession service (Sheriff)
Fee schedule: https://www.polkclerkfl.gov/267/Fees. Sheriff fees payable to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Source: Polk Clerk — Evictions; Fees
How eviction cases work locally
| Writ of possession | Mail the Final Judgment and Writ of Possession to the judge's office; include a $90 check to the Sheriff for service of the writ. Source: Official source |
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The Florida eviction process
Florida state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Polk County (Lakeland):
- 3-day notice to pay or vacate (nonpayment) or 7-day notice (lease violations) or 30-day notice (month-to-month)
- Landlord files complaint for possession in county court; tenant served with summons
- Tenant files a written answer within 5 days after service and, for any defense other than payment, deposits the alleged rent into the court registry
- If tenant fails to answer or deposit rent, default judgment and immediate writ of possession; otherwise hearing
- Judgment for possession; clerk issues writ of possession
- Sheriff posts 24-hour notice (weekends/holidays do not extend it), then puts landlord in possession; landlord may remove property to the property line
Full Florida eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Polk County (Lakeland)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,226 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,230 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,497 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,023 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,511 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Polk County (Lakeland): $1,363/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
Florida Statutes § 83.425 (ch. 2023-314, Laws of Fla.) preempts to the state the regulation of residential tenancies and the landlord-tenant relationship, so county landlord-tenant ordinances do not apply.
Eviction help in Polk County (Lakeland)
Free legal help
- Florida Rural Legal Services — Civil and housing help for low-income residents; Lakeland office; hotline 1-888-582-3410.
Other Florida counties
- Eviction in Miami-Dade County (Miami)
- Eviction in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)
- Eviction in Orange County (Orlando)
- Eviction in Hillsborough County (Tampa)
- Eviction in Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)
- Eviction in Duval County (Jacksonville)
- Eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)
- Eviction in Lee County (Fort Myers)
- Eviction in Volusia County (Daytona Beach)
- Eviction in Seminole County (Sanford)
- Eviction in Brevard County (Melbourne)
- Eviction in Leon County (Tallahassee)
- Eviction in Pasco County (New Port Richey)
- Eviction in Alachua County (Gainesville)
- Eviction in Osceola County (Kissimmee)
- Eviction in Sarasota County (Sarasota)
- Eviction in Escambia County (Pensacola)
- Eviction in Manatee County (Bradenton)
- Eviction in Collier County (Naples)
- Eviction in Marion County (Ocala)
- Eviction in Lake County (Tavares)
- Eviction in St. Lucie County (Port St. Lucie)
Related
- Florida landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Florida
- Florida eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Florida (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Polk County (Lakeland)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Polk County (Lakeland)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Polk County (Lakeland)?
What is the fair market rent in Polk County (Lakeland)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.