509.401 Operator’s right to lockout. - Florida Statutes

509.401 Operator’s right to lockout.

   (1) If, upon a reasonable determination by an operator of a public lodging establishment, a guest has accumulated a large outstanding account at such establishment, the operator may lock the guest out of the guest’s rental unit for the purpose of requiring the guest to confront the operator and arrange for payment on the account. Such arrangement must be in writing, and a copy must be furnished to the guest.

   (2) Once the guest has confronted the operator and made arrangements for payment on the account, the operator shall provide the guest with unrestricted access to the guest’s rental unit.

   (3) The operator shall at all times permit the guest to remove from the rental unit any items of personal property essential to the health of the guest.

History. s. 1, ch. 77-249; ss. 27, 39, 42, ch. 79-240; ss. 3, 4, ch. 81-161; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 35, 51, 52, ch. 90-339; s. 4, ch. 91-429.