Tips For First-Time Florida Landlords
Whether a person bought a piece of property, received it as an inheritance, or acquired it via any other legal means, the decision to rent it out to others can be an intimidating one. Being a landlord can be a relatively simple way to make extra money, but there is a long list of factors that a person must be ready to handle – and a long list of requirements before a dwelling can be rented. Consulting a knowledgeable attorney to make sure your proverbial Ts are crossed and Is are dotted is often a good idea before opening your property to renters.
Clean Is Not Enough. The unit must be clean before it can be rented, of course, but this does not just include furniture and floors. While being clean matters, all the fixtures and services built into the dwelling must be there and in working order – for example, the fixtures, the plumbing, the lighting, the stairs and rails. If they are not, fix them – and if something merely shows wear and tear, properly document it so that you have a record if disputes later arise with a tenant.
Screen Applicants Appropriately. It can be tempting to take the first person who seems nice and quiet, but it is crucial to have a proper paper trail, and to do one’s due diligence on whether someone will actually be a good fit for the dwelling. Also, screening prospective tenants is possible but must be done carefully – the federal and state Fair Housing Acts are explicit about certain criteria that cannot be used to exclude someone unilaterally (for example, not renting to Christians because you dislike Christians is unacceptable discrimination). It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws to make sure you understand their limits.
Never Stop Working. Once you rent your property to someone, your role switches from being constantly hands-on, to stepping in as needed. Florida law imposes several responsibilities on a landlord, most falling under the umbrella of an “obligation to maintain the premises.” It can be difficult to find a balance between being constantly underfoot for your tenant and being unavailable, but over time a landlord will develop a sense on how to be a consistent – but not constant – presence.
A Manager May Help. If you live close enough to the property to be able to respond to issues, and are generally familiar with the responsibilities of a landlord, you may choose to manage the rental yourself – but it is not uncommon for landlords to hire property managers to do that instead. There are positives and negatives on both sides, but your choice should be the one that best serves the agreement between you and your tenant.
Call A Tampa Landlord-Tenant Attorney
With the right tenant and the right level of work and knowledge, being a landlord can be a profitable and enjoyable experience – but it is a good idea to have an attorney on whom you can rely. A Tampa landlord-tenant attorney from the Seward Law Office can help answer your questions about the process of renting, and about ensuring that everything is as it should be when it counts. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
