Florida

Florida Landlord Tenant Law

Florida Landlord Tenant Law is set forth in Florida Statutes at Part II, Chapter 83, Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act. It governs the rights of both landlords and tenants. Even with a signed lease, the Laws “prevail over what the lease says,” according to The Florida Bar Foundation. While it is strongly recommended that all parties to a tenancy sign a written lease, even with just an oral lease, the rights and responsibilities of all the parties are still bound by Florida Landlord Tenant Law. Before we provide more information regarding Florida Statues 83, please note this website is not a substitute for an attorneys legal advice. The resources found online at AAOA are based on federal laws and are meant to be a reasonable resource to help you with your rental process. If you have issues or questions regarding Florida Landlord Tenant Law, it is recommended that you seek the advice and services of an attorney.

Florida Landlord Tenant Law

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Florida Statutes Landlord Tenant

The following information on Florida Rental Laws is not a full list but does provide information on three important components. If the service AAOA is providing is not sufficient you can read more about Florida Law and Florida Renters Rights (also known as Florida Tenant Rights) by visiting Online Sunshine, the official government website for the State of Florida.

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Florida Landlord Tenant Laws – Security Deposits

Florida Landlord Tenant Laws, under Florida Chapter 83, section 49 provides that if a landlord obtains a security deposit from a tenant the landlord is not permitted to “commingle such moneys with any other funds of the landlord or hypothecate, pledge, or in any other way make use of such moneys until such moneys are actually due the landlord.” Florida statute 83.49(1) (b) requires a landlord to: “Hold the total amount of such money in a separate interest-bearing account in a Florida banking institution for the benefit of the tenant or tenants, in which case the tenant shall receive and collect interest in an amount of at least 75 percent of the annualized average interest rate payable on such account or interest at the rate of 5 percent per year, simple interest, whichever the landlord elects.” The other option, provided for in 83.49(1) (a) allows the landlord the option to “Hold the total amount of such money in a separate non-interest-bearing account in a Florida banking institution for the benefit of the tenant or tenants.” The landlord must inform the tenant where the security deposit money is held and what, if any, the interest rate is. A landlord must return the security deposit to the tenant within 15 days after the termination of the tenancy, unless a portion or all of the security deposit is retained by the landlord as compensation for damages caused by the tenant. Florida Tenant Laws provide under 83.49(3) (a) that if the landlord intends to retain any portion of the security deposit, that written notice is sent to the tenant’s last known address and the reason for imposing the claim. The statute also provides that “If the landlord fails to give the required notice within the 30-day period, he or she forfeits the right to impose a claim upon the security deposit.” Just because a landlord sends the written notice to the tenant does not mean that the landlord automatically has the right to retain any portion of the security deposit even if repairs are needed. The tenant has the right to file an objection to the landlord’s intent to retain the security deposit. The losing party is responsible for any related lawer fees and court costs.

Florida Landlord Tenant Law – Payment of Rent and Termination of Lease

Florida Landlord Tenant Laws state in 83.46(1) that rent is due for each rental period as stated in the rental agreement unless modified and agreed to by both parties with a notice to vacate. If a tenant fails to pay rent in a timely manner, both parties still have rights under Florida Landlord Tenant Laws. A tenant cannot withhold rent because a landlord fails to comply with statutes requiring that the landlord keep the premises in safe and sanitary order without court approval. If a tenant fails to pay rent, a landlord cannot take action outside the courts in attempt to get the tenant to pay rent or vacate the premises. This includes actions such as having utilities disconnected or changing locks. All actions related to non-payment of rent must be addressed through the courts. If the tenant fails to pay rent or to return possession of the premises to the landlord at the end of tenancy, the landlord may bring action and receive up to double the amount of the due rent. Florida Landlord Tenant Law provides for the means to recover the premises under 83.59 Right of action for possession: (1) If the rental agreement is terminated and the tenant does not vacate the premises, the landlord may recover possession of the dwelling unit as provided in this section. (2) A landlord, the landlord’s attorney, or the landlord’s agent, applying for the removal of a tenant shall file in the county court of the county where the premises are situated a complaint describing the dwelling unit and stating the facts that authorize its recovery. A landlord’s agent is not permitted to take any action other than the initial filing of the complaint, unless the landlord’s agent is an attorney. It is imperative for the landlord to note that 83.59(3) preclude the landlord from automatically taking possession under Florida Landlord Tenant Laws: (3) The landlord shall not recover possession of a dwelling unit except: (a) In a specific action for possession under subsection (2) or other civil action in which the issue of right of possession is determined; (b) When the tenant has surrendered possession of the dwelling unit to the landlord; (c) When the tenant has abandoned the dwelling unit. In the absence of actual knowledge of abandonment, it shall be presumed that the tenant has abandoned the dwelling unit if he or she is absent from the premises for a period of time equal to one-half the time for periodic rental payments. However, this presumption does not apply if the rent is current or the tenant has notified the landlord, in writing, of an intended absence; or (d) When the last remaining tenant of a dwelling unit is deceased, personal property remains on the premises, rent is unpaid, at least 60 days have elapsed following the date of death, and the landlord has not been notified in writing of the existence of a probate estate or of the name and address of a personal representative. A tenant still has rights and may file an answer claiming defense to any action and may also bring action for a landlord who fails to keep the property in the manner prescribed under Florida Landlord Tenant Laws, 83.60, in which case a tenant can also allege a new claim or file action for retaliation by the landlord if the landlord retaliates for the tenant’s exercise of his or her rights under Florida Landlord Tenant Laws. Florida Landlord Tenant Laws are comprehensive, protect the rights and set forth obligations of all parties to a landlord-tenant relationship. Conducting proper Florida Tenant Screening and having proper Florida Landlord Forms on hand is one step to potentially lessen problems during a landlord-tenant relationship.

Landlord Obligations to Maintain Premises

To be a good landlord you will need to at least be paying attention to local and state code. To be a great landlord you’ll want to go above and beyond the minimum landlord obligations as set forth by Florida rental laws. Landlords will need to comply with all requirements of housing, building and health codes when renting a unit. If there are no applicable codes, it is still your responsibility to service and maintain: floors and doors, windows and roofs, steps and porches, exterior walls and foundations including other structural components. The rental place should be able to resist normal forces such as wind, rain, snow, heat, cold, and so on as well as have plumbing in working condition. On the day of move in it is the landlord’s responsibility to confirm all screens are in reasonable condition. Repairs to screens are then required only once annually and not every couple of months. In addition, unless otherwise agreed to in the lease agreement or other notice (or if a single-family home or duplex) the landlord at all times must tend to: extermination of rodents and bugs, locks and keys, provide safe and clean common / public areas, garbage removal and outside receptacles, heat for winter, running water, and hot water. As the landlord you may enter the rental at any time if it is for the “protection or preservation of the premises”. Keep in mind that “reasonable notice” for repairs should be provided at least 12 hours prior. For additional information regarding landlord tenant Florida obligations and for the full code including single-family and duplex, visit Online Sunshine.

Florida Tenant Screening Background Checks

All tenants in Florida should have a proper tenant screening background check performed. The American Apartment Owners Association provides the best tenant screening reports you’ll find. AAOA members can select an existing tenant background check package or create an a la carte report by building their own. Most screening reports are returned instantly allowing you to make an immediate decision to fill your vacancy quickly. Visit Florida Tenant Screening Background Checks to screen your tenant.

Florida Landlord Forms

All states require a variety of forms to rent an apartment to a tenant and Florida is no exception. Check out AAOA’s Florida Landlord Forms where you’ll find state specific documents from lease agreements to notices to terminate.

Nationwide Landlord Tenant Laws

Looking for landlord tenant laws outside of Florida? The American Apartment Owners Association offers helpful landlord tenant laws for all 50 states. Click on any of the states listed below and go directly to its landlord tenant laws page.

Reminder: This information is a general explanation and summary of Florida Landlord Tenant Law but is in no way meant to substitute for legal advice, nor does it list all the statutes under the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act.

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