How to Cancel a Timeshare in Florida: State Laws and Resources

No state is more popular than Florida when it comes to timeshares. Nearly one in four U.S. timeshare resorts can be found in the Sunshine State, according to the 2025 State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry United States Study from ARDA Research and Insights.

However, with maintenance fees that average $1,430 per interval, a timeshare can be costly. If your Florida timeshare no longer fits your budget or lifestyle, keep reading to learn more about the state’s timeshare laws and how to cancel or exit your contract.

Table of Contents

1. Florida timeshare laws
2. How to cancel a timeshare contract in FL
   1. 1. Check your timeshare closing date
   2. 2. Contact the company
   3. 3. Try to sell the timeshare
   4. 4. Work with a timeshare exit company
3. Timeshare exit companies in Florida

Florida timeshare laws

The Florida Vacation Plan and Timesharing Act regulates the timeshare industry in the Sunshine State. The law spells out developer obligations and owner protections, including the following:

• Prospective buyers must be given a public offering statement that covers all accommodation details and fees.
• The public offering statement must be submitted by a developer to the state for review and approval.
• All timeshare advertising that includes gift or prize promotions must be submitted to the state for review.
• If someone is reselling a timeshare, the buyer must be provided with a resale purchase agreement that includes certain disclosures about annual assessments, property taxes, other fees, and the first year in which the buyer can use the timeshare.
• For both new sales and resales, purchasers have 10 days to cancel the contract.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for enforcing these provisions.

Right to cancel a timeshare in Florida

Some people experience buyer’s regret almost immediately after signing a timeshare contract. For these folks, the Florida Vacation Plan and Timesharing Act makes it easy to back out so long as you act fast.

The law guarantees a 10-day cancellation period. That means you can cancel the contract up to midnight on the 10^th calendar day after the later of the following:

• The execution date on the contract
• The date on which the purchaser received all required documents

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation recommends sending your cancellation notice using a method that provides proof of the date of delivery, such as certified mail.

A timeshare company is required to keep the money you paid in an escrow account until after the 10-day cancellation period expires. If you cancel, it must provide a refund of the money paid, minus any contract benefits you received, within 20 days, or within five days of when your check clears.

If a company fails to honor your cancellation request or provide a timely refund, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

How to cancel a timeshare contract in Florida

If you miss the 10-day rescission window, you may still be able to cancel your timeshare contract. However, it might not be as simple as sending a letter to the resort.

Here are four ways to get out of a Florida timeshare.

1. Check your timeshare closing date

Before you do anything else, check the date you agreed to the timeshare and compare it to the closing date. This may only be applicable if you have a deeded timeshare. If the closing occurred before the end of the 10-day cancellation period, Florida gives you five years to void the closing.

What’s more, the right to cancel a timeshare contract can’t be waived in Florida. If you signed anything stating that you were waiving this right, you have up to a year from the date the cancellation period would have ended to void the contract.

For assistance, consult with an attorney who has experience with Florida timeshare laws. They can review your contract to help determine whether either of these situations apply to you.

2. Contact the company

Your next step should be to contact the timeshare company or resort directly to see what exit options they offer. Some companies have buyback programs in which they will purchase timeshares from members.

Don’t expect to receive a large offer from a buyback program, and you’ll need to be current on your maintenance fees and mortgage to qualify. Some companies may only buy back timeshares once the mortgage is paid off.

3. Try to sell the timeshare

If you receive a buyback offer, compare it to how much you could receive from a third-party seller, advises the Coalition for a Responsible Exit, which was created by the timeshare trade association ARDA. Selling your timeshare this way could mean a higher purchase price.

Timeshare resale companies are called resale service providers in Florida, and they can act as resale brokers or resale advertisers.

Here are a few of the providers suggested by the Coalition for a Responsible Exit:

• Timeshare Broker Associates
• Timeshares Only
• Sell My Timeshare Now
• Fidelity Resales

These and other resale companies can offer a variety of services at different price points. Some may allow owners to create a listing to sell the timeshare themselves. Others provide more robust marketing and will handle all aspects of the sale for a larger fee.

4. Work with a timeshare exit company

If none of the above options will work in your situation, look for a reputable timeshare exit company. These firms specialize in helping people get out of timeshare contracts.

A reputable company will have:

• Transparent pricing
• Strong consumer reviews
• Proven track record

Avoid firms that demand large upfront payments or guarantee results. These can be red flags.

How to find a timeshare exit company in Florida

When looking for a timeshare exit company in Florida, be wary of scams and bad practices that could harm your finances.

For instance, any business or person who asks for a wire transfer or payment with gift cards is most certainly not legitimate. These are hallmarks of a scam.

Other companies may use a strategic default strategy in which they tell you to stop making payments on your timeshare. Once your account becomes delinquent, that provides them with leverage to negotiate an exit from your contract. However, it can also tank your credit and create financial damage that will take years to repair.

Our choice for a Florida timeshare exit company

We’ve reviewed many of the best timeshare exit companies, and our top pick is The Stonegate Firm. This company has a proven track record of helping consumers cancel their timeshare contracts.

Stonegate works with a co-branded law firm, so experienced attorneys are available to work on your case as needed. What’s more, Stonegate Firm never recommends strategic default, so you don’t need to worry about your credit score suffering.

Are you ready to unload your Florida timeshare? To learn more about Stonegate Firm, read our full review of its services.

When evaluating a timeshare, I look beyond the ongoing costs and help clients consider the opportunity cost of tying up money that could be invested elsewhere.

We talk honestly about how often they use the timeshare and whether it still delivers real value, which is subjective and often emotional.

If usage is low or the timeshare feels like a burden, it may make sense to explore an exit, even with upfront costs, if long-term savings outweigh the expense.