Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
If you’re a tenant, knowing and understanding the landlord/tenant statutes in Florida is important to protecting your rights. Staying informed and empowered as a tenant can help you avoid conflicts with your landlord and can help you hold onto your rented home. It can protect you against illegal eviction.
Unfortunately, the Florida landlord/tenant dispute attorneys at Flaxman Law Group often speak to renters who are not made aware of their rights and obligations. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you.
As a tenant, here’s what you need to know:
- In Florida, a lease agreement is a legally binding document. It outlines the rent amount, security deposit, responsibilities of each party, and other terms and conditions of the lease. Carefully review the lease agreement and make sure you understand it before signing it.
- In Florida, landlords can ask for a security deposit, which is a one-time amount you pay before moving in that is supposed to cover any damages beyond normal wear and tear. In most cases, landlords must return the security deposit within a specific timeframe after you move out and they need to itemize any deductions. Always keep careful records of any security deposit you paid and any damage which occurred while you were renting.
- Landlords in Florida are required to maintain the rental property in a habitable condition and make necessary repairs to keep it safe and in good condition. As a renter, you have the right to request repairs. Always make these requests in writing. If the landlord fails to make needed repairs, consult with an attorney about any remedies available to you.
- In most cases, outside of emergencies landlords must provide reasonable notice before entering a rental property. As a tenant, you have the right to privacy and can’t be subjected to harassment, discrimination, or unreasonable intrusion.
- Landlords must follow the legal grounds for eviction, provide proper notice, and obtain a court order before evicting a renter. As a tenant, you have the right to contest an eviction in court and assert your legal defenses.
- If you exert your rights, your landlord can’t retaliate against you. Retaliation can include raising the rent, changing the terms of the lease, or threatening eviction.
Turn to Flaxman Law Group
While both renters and landlords are protected under Florida law, sometimes tenants feel they have fewer rights because they don’t own a property. As a tenant, it’s important to remember you do have rights.
Whether you’re renting an apartment, house, condo, townhouse, or other property if you encounter problems or have a dispute with your landlord, you can always contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation with a Florida landlord/tenant dispute attorney. We can review your lease, help you understand your rights, seek to mediate or resolve disputes, defend your case in court, and more.
To learn more, call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 to speak to a live person 24/7. We can schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a Florida landlord/tenant dispute attorney who can answer your questions and help you understand your rights. You can also contact us online or email accident attorney Charles Flaxman at cflaxman@flaxmanlaw.com. Flaxman Law Group has more than 60 years of combined experience and our law offices in Miami, Hollywood, and Homestead are here for tenants across South Florida.