Florida prompt payment

Who and what this applies to

Fla. Stat. §715.12: written real-property-improvement contracts entered after December 31, 1992 for which a construction lien is authorized under chapter 713, part I.

The rules

• Payment under §715.12(4) requires contractual entitlement and a written request, required affidavits/waivers, and (for a payer other than the owner) receipt of the corresponding upstream payment. Source
• For non-retainage amounts due, statutory interest starts on the 14th day after payment is due and uses the §55.03 rate plus 12% per year, or the higher contract rate under (6)(a). Timely written return of an incomplete or erroneous request changes the interest calculation under (5)(b). Source
• Retainage has distinct completion, punchlist and interest provisions in §715.12(7); the ordinary interest rule is not a universal payment deadline. Source

Primary sources

• 2026 Fla. Stat. §715.12(2), (4)–(7)

Sources reviewed 2026-09-30. This guide covers the projects and rules stated above.

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