How many business days does a tenant have to respond to an eviction summons?

• A. 10 business days
• B. 2 business days
• C. 5 business days
• D. 1 week

Answer: (C)

The time to respond to an eviction summons is five business days. When a tenant is served with an eviction summons and complaint in Florida, they must file an answer with the court within five business days. This short window helps move the eviction process along and ensures the tenant has a prompt opportunity to present defenses or raise any issues, while also allowing the landlord to proceed if the tenant does not respond. Remember that “business days” means weekdays the court is open, so weekends and holidays don’t count toward the five days. If the tenant doesn’t respond in time, the landlord can seek a default and obtain an eviction order.