Can I fight an eviction that claims I did not pay the rent?

You can defend against eviction for these reasons:

You never got the 3-Day Notice
The amount in the Notice was not right
The Notice had incorrect dates or was for an amount that was not rent

Even if you can defend, you must deposit your rent due with the Clerk of Court. If you do not, you will likely lose your case without going to court.

Free Help with Landlord-Tenant Issues

Are you a Hillsborough County renter having housing problems? Help is available!

The Hillsborough County Housing Stability Program provides Hillsborough tenants the knowledge, resources, and services to effectively, efficiently, and amicably solve their disputes with their landlords outside the court system.

Learn More & Apply

Need information about available Family Law forms and the legal process?

The Legal Information Center is a free program to provide information to people who are representing themselves in Family Law cases in Hillsborough County. Get the information you need to make an informed decision about your case.

Learn More

Upcoming Legal Clinics

See All Clinics

Legal Information Center

Online: Typically, Monday-Friday. In-person: See schedule.

Location

Hillsborough

The Legal Information Center is a free program to provide information to people who are representing themselves in Family Law cases in Hillsborough County.

Campbell Park Legal Clinic

Typically, every Monday 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and every Wednesday 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Location

Pinellas

The Campbell Park Legal Clinic is a free program that provides housing and family law advice and assistance to residents in St. Petersburg, FL (Pinellas County).

Medical-Legal Partnership with Bay Pines VA (5 Locations)

Various days and times

Location

Virtual,

Hillsborough,

Pasco,

Pinellas,

Manatee,

Sarasota

The Medical-Legal Partnership with Bay Pines VA provides free legal assistance to veterans, and spouses or adult children of a veteran, who receive medical care at the Bay Pines VA or live in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties

Apply for Services

Apply by phone Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or apply online anytime for non-emergency legal matters. Language interpreters are available to you at no cost.

How do I apply? Am I eligible?

Bay Area Legal Services

If you live or have a case in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, or Sarasota counties, we may be able to help.

Call (800) 625-2257 to apply for service.

Or complete our online application and we will call you back.

Statewide Legal Helplines

If you live or have a case in Florida, we may be able to help.

Senior Legal Helpline: (888) 895-7873

Veterans Legal Helpline: (866) 486-6161

Disaster Legal Helpline: (833) 514-2940

TTY: (800) 955-8771