Florida Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
Florida rules on section 8, records & right to counsel for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No. The Florida Fair Housing Act's protected classes are race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status and religion; source of income is not included. Fla. Stat. § 760.23
The rules in Florida
| Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | No. The Florida Fair Housing Act's protected classes are race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status and religion; source of income is not included. Source: Fla. Stat. § 760.23 |
|---|---|
| Eviction record sealing | No statute — chapter 83 has no eviction-record sealing or masking provision. Source: Fla. Stat. ch. 83 |
| Right to a lawyer in eviction | No statute — no statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. Source: Fla. Stat. ch. 83 |
Related questions
- Can a landlord refuse Section 8?
- Can an eviction be removed from your record?
- Do tenants get a free lawyer for an eviction?
Florida vs. neighboring states
| State | Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income | Eviction record sealing | Right to a lawyer in eviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | No. The Florida Fair Housing Act's protected classes are race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status and religion; source of income is not included. Fla. Stat. § 760.23 | No statute — chapter 83 has no eviction-record sealing or masking provision. Fla. Stat. ch. 83 | No statute — no statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. Fla. Stat. ch. 83 |
| Alabama | No. Alabama's Fair Housing Law covers race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and handicap only; it does not protect source of income or housing-voucher holders. Ala. Code § 24-8-4 | No statute — Alabama has no law sealing, masking or expunging eviction (unlawful detainer) court records. Ala. Code § 35-9A-461; §§ 6-6-310 et seq. (checked) | No statewide right to counsel for tenants in eviction cases. Ala. Code § 35-9A-461 (eviction actions) |
| Georgia | No statewide protection. Georgia's fair housing protected classes are race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability; source of income (including vouchers) is not among them. Georgia Fair Housing Act, O.C.G.A. § 8-3-200 et seq. (as summarized in DCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook, rev. 8-29-24, p. 4) | No statute in effect yet. Beginning January 1, 2027, a court may, on motion and after a hearing, order all court records of a dispossessory (eviction) case made unavailable to the public if the tenant won the case, the tenant paid the judgment in full with interest and costs, or seven years have passed since a dismissal or judgment (with any judgment paid in full). The landlord may still pursue amounts owed in a separate action or through collections. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50(e) (added by SB 406, 2026, Act 715, § 8; effective January 1, 2027) | Not verified yet |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare section 8, records & right to counsel in all 50 states and DC →
Florida Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel FAQ
Is it illegal for a landlord to refuse Section 8 vouchers in Florida?
No. The Florida Fair Housing Act's protected classes are race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status and religion; source of income is not included. (Fla. Stat. § 760.23)
Can an eviction record be sealed or removed in Florida?
No statute — chapter 83 has no eviction-record sealing or masking provision. (Fla. Stat. ch. 83)
Do tenants have a right to a free lawyer in eviction cases in Florida?
No statute — no statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. (Fla. Stat. ch. 83)
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.