To file a general complaint or a foodborne illness report concerning a public food service or lodging establishment use the resources below. Please know the Division has specific and limited authority and cannot enforce all complaint issues (see the table below).

Online Consumer Complaint FormWord / Fill-in PDF

DBPR HR 7003, form available to the public for making complaints concerning public food service establishments, public lodging establishments or elevators in Florida. (March 10, 2008)

Online Foodborne Illness Complaint FormWord / Fill-in PDF

DBPR HR 7004, form available to the public for reporting instances of foodborne illness resulting from eating a public food service establishment in Florida. (March 10, 2008)

The following tables list common complaint issues that the Division can and cannot enforce.

These lists are not all-inclusive and are not intended to provide a full list of all potential complaint issues addressed by the Division.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation does not license or regulate public food services located in schools, nursing homes and jails, or bars that do not serve food. Please contact the Florida Department of Health for assistance with these types of complaints. In addition to accessing their website, the Florida Department of Health can also be contacted by calling 850-245-4250.

Food Service

YES, CAN ENFORCE NO, CANNOT ENFORCE
Food borne illness complaints Customer service
Restaurant cleanliness Reservations or cancellations
Clean dishware and glassware Menu items or prices
Rats, roaches, or other bugs and pests Refusal of service – Report discrimination to the Florida Commission on Human Relations
Food storage and handling Cooked-to-order meats (i.e. rare steak or hamburger) not cooked to desired temperature.
Food obtained from unapproved sources Recipes used or method of preparation, such as grilled versus fried.
Hand washing Use of salt
Glove use or alternate operating procedure Fire safety issues – Contact the local fire authority
Smoking in restaurants that do not serve alcohol Smoking in bars or restaurants that serve alcohol – Contact the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Notice of automatic gratuity Gratuity amount or conditions for automatic gratuity
Misrepresentation of food product Food service at hospitals – Contact the Agency for Health Care Administration
Unlicensed public food service Food service at jails and schools – Contact the Department of Health
Bakeries, groceries, seafood stores, convenience stores – Contact the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Alcohol licenses – Contact the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Americans with Disabilities Act issues – Contact the U.S. Department of Justice
Grading or ranking of restaurants
Gift certificates
Credit card charges or refunds
Discrimination – Contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations
Tax-related concerns or issues – Contact the Department of Revenue
Local laws and ordinances – Contact the local government

Nontransient Apartments

YES, CAN ENFORCE NO, CANNOT ENFORCE
Balcony or railing safety Structural problems that are not readily observable – Contact your local building code enforcement authority.
Exterior doors close and lock Appliances or cabinets in your apartment
Excessive trash on the property Cleanliness of your apartment
Rats and other vermin on the apartment complex property Rats, roaches, or other bugs or pests inside your apartment
Heat provided, as necessary, and able to maintain 68 degrees Air conditioning
Sewage backed-up on the apartment complex property Issues addressed in the lease
Sewage backed-up in your apartment Mold or mold damage not related to readily observable structural problems
Unlicensed activity Swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis – Contact the Department of Health
Readily observable structural problems Smoke detectors or other fire safety issues – Contact the local fire authority
Security deposit issues with court adjudication of fault against the landlord Security deposit issues without court adjudication of fault against the landlord
Local laws and ordinances – Contact the local government
Management companies or marketing, including signs
Smoking inside apartments or on the property
Rent amount or increases
Evictions
Parking
Tenant and guest behavior and noise
Utility charges, third-party billing, or any services or charges included in the lease – Contact the Public Service Commission for utility concerns
Injury to persons or property
Americans with Disabilities Act issues – Contact the U.S. Department of Justice
Single-family homes rented as a permanent residence
Duplexes and other residential rental properties with 4 or fewer apartments.
Discrimination – Contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations
Lost or stolen property or other police matters
Tax-related concerns or issues – Contact the Department of Revenue

Transient Lodging

YES, CAN ENFORCE NO, CANNOT ENFORCE
Balcony or railing safety Structural problems that are not readily observable – Contact the local building code enforcement authority.
Clean dishware and glassware Licensed agent or management company business practices or marketing, including signs posted
Excessive trash on the property Construction nuisances such as noise
Rats, roaches, or other bugs and pests in the room or rental unit Swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis – Contact the Department of Health
Heat provided, as necessary, and able to maintain 68 degrees Air conditioning
Showers, toilets, and sinks working Optional clothes laundering services
Room cleanliness and condition Amenities available
Clean towels and sheets provided in hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts Optional toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, and lotion
Hearing impaired smoke detectors available Smoke detectors or other fire safety issues – Contact the local fire authority
Ice machines and ice buckets In-room coffee makers or clothes irons
Smoking in enclosed lobbies Smoking inside rental units or rooms or on the property
Unlicensed activity Refusal to rent (except based on age to active military personnel) – Report discrimination to the Florida Commission on Human Relations
Overbooking and help locating alternate accommodations Reservations or cancellations
Exterior doors close and lock Evictions
Pre-paid reservations Customer service
Readily observable structural problems Rental amount
Appliances in room Gift certificates
Refusal to rent based on age for active military personnel Credit card charges
Americans with Disabilities Act issues – Contact the U.S. Department of Justice
Guest behavior and noise
Lost or stolen property or other police matters
Discrimination – Contact the Florida Commission on Human Relations
Tax-related concerns or issues – Contact the Department of Revenue
Local laws and ordinances – Contact the local government

Need Help?

All requests for public records, complaints, forms, and applications for licenses can be obtained by contacting the Customer Contact Center.

Steven von Bodungen, Director

Division of Hotels and Restaurants
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011

Telephone: 850.487.1395
Email: dhr.info@myfloridalicense.com