Get Possession Fast. Then We Go After the Money.

Call a Broward Commercial Eviction Attorney — Protecting Florida Landlords in Fort Lauderdale & Beyond.

Commercial (non-residential) evictions move differently than residential. Our playbook is simple: (1) take back the space; (2) pursue every dollar you’re owed.

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STEP 1 — ACTION TO GET POSSESSION

Goal: lawfully retake the premises from a non-paying or defaulting commercial tenant—fast.

A. Serve the right notice (commercial)

• Nonpayment of rent: a 3-Day Notice to pay or surrender (or longer if your lease requires).

• Other material breaches: follow the lease’s cure period and notice mechanics (insurance, illegal use, maintenance, continuous-operation, assignment/transfer, etc.). If the lease is silent, we craft a clear, commercially reasonable notice.

B. File the eviction + require “rent into the court registry”

When we file for possession, we ask the court to require the tenant to deposit past-due and ongoing rent into the court registry during the case. If they miss a deposit deadline, their defenses can be stricken and we can move directly to a judgment for possession. (This registry tool is a key advantage in commercial cases.)

C. Writ of Possession (the finish line)

After judgment for possession, the clerk issues a Writ of Possession and the sheriff posts and restores possession. We coordinate timing so you can re-secure the space, change locks legally, and document the condition.

D. Optional: Distress for Rent (freeze the assets)

If there’s a risk the tenant will remove assets, we can file a distress action and ask the court for a distress writ—a bond-backed, court-supervised remedy that prevents removal of inventory, equipment, or other movable property while your rent claim is pending. We’ll also evaluate whether a landlord’s lien applies to your tenancy type.

E. No “self-help” lockouts

Avoid changing locks or shutting off utilities without process. Use the court + sheriff path to protect the case and minimize exposure.

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STEP 2 — DAMAGES (AFTER POSSESSION)

Once you have the keys back, we prosecute the money claims.

Unpaid and additional rent

We pursue base rent, percentage rent (if any), CAM, taxes, late fees, interest, and attorney’s fees as permitted by your lease. If the tenant contested rent during the case but skipped registry payments, that often streamlines recovery.

Holdover = Double Rent

If the tenant holds over after the term, Florida law allows double the monthly rent for the holdover period.

Property damage to the premises

Separate from rent, we document and pursue repair/restoration costs for damage to build-out, fixtures, utilities, HVAC, and any code-required remediation.

Personal guaranties

If your lease includes a guarantor, we pursue them from day one and preserve all collection avenues (post-judgment discovery, garnishment, levy).

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YOUR POST-DEFAULT REMEDIES (HOW WE CHOOSE THE BEST PATH)

A. Terminate & Retake for the Landlord’s Own Account

• What it is: You terminate the lease, recover possession, and re-let for your own account.

• Possession? Yes.

• Money angle: Tenant remains liable for past-due amounts and damages through termination. Future rent typically ends unless your lease has a valid acceleration/survival clause.

• When we use it: You want a clean break, quick re-tenanting, and full control of the space.

B. Retake & Re-Let for the Tenant’s Account

• What it is: You retake possession without terminating, re-let for the tenant’s account, and collect the deficiency between contract rent and what you actually realize—plus re-letting costs, build-out, commissions, and reasonable expenses.

• Possession? Yes.

• Money angle: Keeps the tenant on the hook while you monetize the space now. We typically also plead acceleration (if available) in the alternative and credit proceeds appropriately.

• When we use it: Re-letting is feasible and you want both control of the space and a path to a larger recovery.

C. Stand By & Sue for Rent As It Comes Due (no retake)

• What it is: You do not retake; you keep the lease alive and sue for each unpaid installment as it accrues.

• Possession? No. The tenant remains in place.

• Money angle: Preserves the full stream of contract rent (and additional rent) but recovery is staged over time.

• When we use it: Strong tenant/guarantor, valuable lease economics, or practical barriers to immediate re-letting.

D. Acceleration of Rent (if your lease allows)

• What it is: Upon default, you can accelerate the remaining balance of rent through the term (often discounted to present value and subject to credit for re-letting).

• How we deploy it: Frequently pled in the alternative alongside A/B/C. We tailor the election and timing so we don’t waive a superior money path.

Bottom line: If your goal is possession now, choose Terminate & Retake or Retake for Tenant’s Account (paired with the eviction track). If you want the tenant to remain and pay, choose Stand By & Sue—but understand you won’t get the keys under that remedy.

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WHY COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS HIRE DOUGLAS FIRM

• Speed to possession. Registry motions and tight pleadings to minimize delay.

• Asset protection. We evaluate distress and lien remedies to keep equipment/FF&E from disappearing.

• Damages strategy baked in. From day one we preserve claims for double rent on holdover, deficiency after re-letting, acceleration (if available), and property damage.

• Business-minded counsel. Clear guidance on which remedy maximizes net recovery—and when to elect it.

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WHAT WE NEED TO START (SAME DAY)

• Signed lease, amendments, and any guaranties

• Rent ledger and prior notices/communications

• Default details (nonpayment dates, other breaches)

• Photos/video of current condition (if accessible)

• Your goal: immediate possession only, or possession plus full damages

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CLEAR NEXT STEPS

1. Free Lease & Ledger Review (Landlords Only).

2. Serve the correct notice (3-day for rent; lease-based for other defaults).

3. File for possession + court-ordered rent deposits; pursue distress if assets are at risk.

4. After the writ restores possession, we prosecute the money claims: unpaid rent, double rent for holdover, deficiency after re-letting, property damage, fees, and (where available) acceleration.

Call 954.474.4420 or email andrew@douglasfirm.com today for a prompt, landlord-centered eviction strategy in Broward County and across Florida.

Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Florida commercial evictions. Your lease controls; strategy and outcomes depend on the facts of your matter.