Hillsborough County Foreclosure Resources
Complete guide to the foreclosure process in Hillsborough County, Florida. Courthouse addresses, filing procedures, timelines, mediation options, and local legal aid — everything you need to defend your home.
Response within 24 hours
Foreclosure Type
Judicial
Avg. Timeline
180–270 days
Mediation
Available
Population
1.5 million
Hillsborough County Foreclosure Timeline
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state. Every foreclosure must go through the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, giving homeowners significant procedural rights and time to mount a defense.
The lender records a lis pendens and files a foreclosure complaint with the Hillsborough County Circuit Court (Tampa), then personally serves you. You typically have 20 days to answer.
After you answer, Florida's court-managed mediation program automatically refers residential foreclosure cases to mediation with a court-appointed mediator.
If mediation fails, the case proceeds through discovery and motions, with careful review of standing and note ownership.
The court enters a final judgment of foreclosure, a notice of sale is published, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court sets the online sale date.
The Hillsborough County Clerk conducts the online judicial sale. There is no statutory right of redemption. The lender may seek a deficiency within 1 year, subject to fair-value review.
Courthouse & County Offices
Hillsborough County Courthouse (Edgecomb Courthouse)
800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 276-8100
Mon–Fri 8:00AM–5:00PM
George E. Edgecomb Courthouse
800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 276-8100
Mon–Fri 8:00AM–5:00PM
Clerk of Court
Hillsborough County Clerk of Circuit Court — Civil
Processes all foreclosure filings in Hillsborough, schedules mediation referrals, and conducts online judicial sales.
County Recorder
Hillsborough County Official Records / Clerk-Recorder
Sheriff / Sale Info
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
2008 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 247-8000
Florida's judicial sale is conducted by the Clerk of the Circuit Court, not the Sheriff. After the certificate of title, the Sheriff enforces the Writ of Possession.
Foreclosure Mediation in Hillsborough County
Florida's court-managed mediation automatically refers residential foreclosure cases to mediation. The Hillsborough Circuit Court assigns a court-appointed mediator to facilitate a modification or other resolution.
Filing Requirements
- •Lis pendens recorded and foreclosure complaint filed with the Circuit Court
- •Summons and complaint personally served
- •Homeowner typically has 20 days to answer after service
- •Residential foreclosure cases are automatically referred to court-managed mediation
- •A final judgment of foreclosure precedes a published notice of sale
- •The Clerk of Court conducts the online judicial sale
- •No statutory right of redemption after the sale
Key Statutes
Florida Statutes § 702.01
Fla. Stat. § 702.01
Authorizes judicial foreclosure in Florida.
Florida Statutes §§ 702.10, 701.05
Fla. Stat. §§ 701.05, 702.10
Notice requirements and acceleration/right-to-cure protections.
Florida Statutes § 702.06 (Deficiency)
Fla. Stat. § 702.06
Permits a deficiency decree within 1 year of the sale subject to fair-market-value review.
Right of Redemption
Florida provides no statutory right of redemption after a judicial foreclosure sale. For Hillsborough homeowners, the practical protection comes before sale: automatic referral to court-managed mediation and a judicial process commonly running 12-24 months or longer.
Deficiency Judgments
A deficiency may be sought only by motion within 1 year of the sale (Fla. Stat. § 702.06). The court determines fair market value and limits the deficiency to total debt plus costs minus that value. This fair-value rule limits most Tampa Bay deficiencies.
Legal Aid
Bay Area Legal Services
Free civil legal services for qualifying low-income Tampa Bay residents, including foreclosure defense and homeowner counseling.
Gulfcoast Legal Services (Tampa Bay)
Free legal help for qualifying homeowners facing foreclosure in the Tampa Bay region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Hillsborough foreclosure sale work?+
The Hillsborough Clerk of the Circuit Court conducts an online judicial sale after a final judgment and published notice. The home is auctioned to the highest bidder and the sale is final once the certificate of title is issued — Florida has no statutory redemption period.
Is mediation mandatory in Hillsborough County?+
Yes. Florida court-managed mediation automatically applies to residential foreclosures in Hillsborough. A court-appointed mediator works with you and the lender toward a modification or other resolution.
How long does a Hillsborough foreclosure take?+
Typically 12-24 months from complaint to sale; contested cases take longer. The timeline gives you room to negotiate, cure, or build a defense before any forced sale.
Will I owe a deficiency after a Hillsborough foreclosure?+
Only if the lender moves within 1 year and the court's fair-market-value review supports it. Florida limits the deficiency to the debt minus the property's fair market value.
Where can I get free help in Hillsborough County?+
Bay Area Legal Services and Gulfcoast Legal Services provide free help to qualifying residents. Start with a HUD-approved counselor and attend your court-managed mediation with support available.
More Resources for Hillsborough County Homeowners
Florida Foreclosure Laws
Complete state-level guide to foreclosure laws, timelines, and homeowner protections.
Foreclosure Defense
Comprehensive defense strategies to stop or delay foreclosure in any U.S. county.
Free Case Review
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Facing Foreclosure in Hillsborough County?
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