Overview
Renewing a lease with a good tenant is almost always better than finding a new one — it saves you the cost and hassle of turnover, and it's a straightforward way to reward a tenant who's paid on time and taken care of your unit. The process comes down to reviewing the current lease and local market, giving proper notice, negotiating fairly, and getting the new terms signed. One local note worth flagging: Miami-Dade County briefly required landlords to give 60 days' notice for rent increases of 5% or more, but that rule is no longer in effect — Florida's 2023 statewide preemption law (F.S. 83.425) overrode it, along with similar local ordinances statewide.
1. Review the Current Lease Agreement
Before starting the renewal process, review the existing lease to see what needs updating. This might mean adding or removing utility costs, adjusting internet arrangements, or tightening enforcement language around things like payment grace periods or late fees if issues came up during the current term.
2. Review Current Rental Market Conditions
Check current market rates for comparable units in your area before setting a renewal price. Rental markets shift, and staying current ensures you're pricing the renewal fairly for both sides rather than guessing.
3. Give Notice to the Tenant
Once you've reviewed the lease and the market, give the tenant advance notice of the renewal terms. A 60–90 day notice window is a reasonable target, giving the tenant time to prepare and signaling respect for their situation.
A note on Miami-Dade specifically: the county briefly required landlords to give at least 60 days' written notice before any rent increase of 5% or more, under a local ordinance passed in 2022. That rule is no longer in effect: Florida's 2023 statewide preemption law (F.S. 83.425) overrode it, along with similar local rent-increase notice ordinances across the state. The standard notice periods under F.S. 83.57 now apply instead. If you're working from an older guide or county material that still cites the 60-day/5% rule, it's out of date.
Deliver the notice by certified mail or in person, and include:
- The proposed new rent
- Available lease terms
- Any changes coming in the new lease
- A month-to-month option, if you're offering one
Lease Renewal Template
Access a lease renewal template on Canva, put together by Anthony Johnson.
4. Negotiate in Good Faith
Approach the renewal conversation fairly, without trying to take advantage of the tenant's inertia or reluctance to move. A reasonable negotiation protects the relationship and makes the tenant more likely to renew again down the line, which is ultimately what saves you the most time and money.
5. Deliver and Sign the New Lease
Once terms are agreed on, send the new lease for signature. If you're working with a real estate agent, they may handle sending an updated lease for digital signature. If you're managing the property yourself, prepare the lease and send it to the tenant to review and sign directly.
