Senior Living Apartments in Tampa, FL

Because senior apartments do not include services like meals or personal care, they are considered general housing and not senior care communities. This means that long-term health care insurance does not help to pay rent on senior apartments like it might for an assisted living or memory care community.

Most residents of senior apartments in Tampa use personal funds to pay for their abode, though some housing assistance programs, as well as veterans and disability benefits, can help offset the costs of living for low-income seniors. If the senior ever requires medically necessary in-home health care services within their apartment, care may be paid for through Medicaid, Medicare, veterans benefits, or other long-term care insurance programs.

Most senior apartments are regulated much in the same way as apartments without age restrictions. While assisted living, memory care, and nursing home communities are regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration, senior apartments do not go through the same licensing because they don’t provide the same personal or health care services.

To qualify as a senior apartment complex, there must be a certain percentage of residents over 55 or 65 years of age. According to the Fair Housing Act, 55+ communities must have at least 80% of their units with a resident who is over 55, which means some people under 55 can technically live in some senior apartments. Most senior apartments, however, are more exclusive and only allow residents over 55.

Because senior apartments are essentially regular apartments with age restrictions, residents and their landlords follow the same regulations as other apartment complexes. Florida requires all landlords do the following:

• Follow all housing and health codes.
• Keep the apartment in a livable condition.
• Provide extermination services.
• Provide locks and keys to the tenant.
• Arrange for trash removal.
• Provide all maintenance and repairs.
• Ask for the tenant’s consent before entering.
• Supply running water and hot water.
• Supply heat during the winter.
• Return the security deposit within 15 days of the tenant vacating the premises or provide a written explanation of how much is kept and why within 30 days.

Tenants are expected to do the following:

• Keep the apartment in good condition.
• Do not alter the apartment without permission from the landlord.
• Follow community guidelines, such as respecting quiet hours and picking up after your pet.
• Pay rent and utilities on the agreed upon day each month.

If a landlord of a senior apartment doesn’t meet these standards, a tenant can inform the landlord of their noncompliance and break the lease if the issues are not fixed within seven days. On the other hand, if a tenant doesn’t follow the lease agreement, they should be given seven days to resolve the issue. If they don’t, the landlord can begin the eviction process. Landlord and tenant disputes can go through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This department also provides a comprehensive explanation of Florida’s landlord and tenant laws and expectations.

COVID-19 regulations for Tampa senior apartments

Tampa senior apartments mirror other apartment complexes in that there are not any special regulations regarding COVID-19. Most apartments in Tampa follow the guidelines from Florida’s COVID-19 Response. The response team provides data on COVID-19 cases from across the state about every two weeks. They also provides maps where Tampa residents can find the closest place to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations, tests, and treatment centers.

The Florida COVID-19 Response recommends the following actions:

Retirees look to Tampa for many reasons, but one reason stands out above the rest: Tampa is one of the rare cities with a real claim to diversity. Laid-back beach hounds enjoy the proximity to St. Petersburg, and snowbirds flock to the Sunshine State in the winter for its eponymous sunshine and warmth. While known as a retiree’s hot spot, the largest demographic in Tampa is people between the ages of 25 and 39. Tampa also has a high percentage of Spanish speakers. Pair these diversities with Tampa’s LGBTQA+ friendliness, strong Catholic presence, and lack of state income tax, and you get a city where anyone can find their crowd.

Tampa’s senior apartments are centrally located, with fewer services available to tenants than independent living communities, but easier access to the city’s activities.

Tampa’s senior apartments offer amenities

Tampa senior apartment floor plans tend to mirror other apartments without age restrictions, though each senior apartment offers slightly different amenities and on-site services. Most have some form of recreational areas, like fitness rooms, outdoor spaces with pools, and indoor social lounges with computer access. Apartments offer a variety of floor plans, from one-bedrooms to three-bedrooms. And some layouts even offer private decks and patios. About half our partner senior apartments also include some form of complementary or at-cost transportation services. So residents without vehicles can always have a safe and dependable ride to their appointments and social activities.

Senior apartments in Tampa promote social activities

Senior apartments in Tampa have the entire city at their doorstep. While most senior apartments don’t have an on-staff activities coordinator, many communities are encouraged to utilize common areas with a grassroots social calendar. It’s pretty common to see residents throwing happy hours and pool parties or organizing trips together to nearby beaches, zoos, and theme parks.

The Hillsborough River runs through the heart of Tampa and is the closest body of water to most of our partner senior apartments. Some of these senior apartments even have private fishing docks directly over the water. Tampa’s popular zoo and aquarium are also close to all of our partnering senior apartments, making for an easy day trip activity for residents. And the white sand beaches of Clearwater and St. Petersburg are only an hour’s drive from most apartment complexes.

Senior apartments in Tampa remain affordable

Although the cost of living is rising, Tampa senior apartments remain cheaper than most of the other top senior living markets in the United States, beating out Dallas and Las Vegas. And senior apartments continue to be the most affordable senior living option in Tampa. With no state income tax and no tax on retirement income or Social Security, it’s easy to see why Tampa remains an affordable and attractive retirement destination.

Health care for seniors in Tampa, Florida

Tampa has an excellent health care system, with many highly ranked hospitals, particularly for geriatrics and cancer research.

Transportation for seniors in Tampa, Florida

Most Tampa residents tend to drive instead of using public transportation, walking, or biking, as traffic can be challenging, especially at peak hours. This is why half of our partner senior apartments in Tampa offer complimentary or at-cost transportation services to their residents.

For active seniors without transportation, the local bus system is run by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART). It’s very affordable to ride and known to be somewhat reliable. Tampa’s city government also runs door-to-door transportation options for the elderly or disabled, called The Sunshine Line. Seniors can enroll by calling the enrollment phone number: 813-272-7272.

Based on public data about Tampa’s city infrastructure, WalkScore has given Tampa the following scores out of 100: