Category Archives: Landlord Tenant
Charging Tenants For “Move-Out” Damages
At the end of a residential tenancy, it is not uncommon for there to be disputes about any charges owed by the departing tenant. However, some landlords will try to charge exorbitant “move-out” fees, or to send a demand after the fact for ‘liquidated damages’ that the tenant allegedly owes. If you are intending… Read More »
Can A Landlord Screen Potential Tenants Without Being Discriminatory?
A person who owns property in Florida knows that picking the right tenant is crucial. Every property is different, with different pros and cons and a culture of its own. Choosing a tenant who will fit in with the residents of a property makes an enormous difference in terms of quality of life –… Read More »
How To Handle Property Damage To A Rental
When a tenant signs a lease and agrees to rent a property, they will usually be required to provide a security deposit, though the amount can differ. When the tenant moves out, the amount of the security deposit is used to offset any damage that may have occurred to the rental while the tenant… Read More »
Emotional Support Animals vs Service Animals
Nowadays, more and more people are acquiring service animals or emotional support animals (ESAs), which are meant to help meet particular needs. However, a service animal has obligations and requirements that an ESA does not have – and if this is the case, your animal might be misclassified. This can lead to penalties and… Read More »
Short-Term Florida Rentals Create New Landlord-Tenant Issues
As of this writing, Florida is one of the hottest markets in the United States for short-term rentals. Whether a home, apartment, condominium or other type of dwelling, the appeal of renting out one’s home to short-term guests has resonated with many Floridians. However, deciding to simply jump right in is not a good… Read More »
What Are A Landlord’s Responsibilities?
The average person may think that being a Florida landlord is an easy way to make some extra money. In reality, both tenant and landlord have rights and responsibilities clearly defined by law, and a failure to live up to these responsibilities can result in monetary fines, lawsuits, or even criminal charges in extreme… Read More »
Explaining Habitability In Florida Rental Units
The idea of a warranty of habitability is an often-discussed one when renting a Florida dwelling. While the phrase is not stated verbatim in any of the relevant statutes, it essentially means that a tenant has the right to live in a dwelling that is safe, sanitary, and livable. That said, the meaning of… Read More »
Landlord-Tenant Communications Made Easier By Changes In Law
In general, one of the most difficult things about renting a home is communication between landlord and tenant. Both may have busy schedules, and it can sometimes be difficult to find time to touch base, even about important things. Recently, Florida’s legislature took a big step toward modernizing and simplifying landlord-tenant communication by passing… Read More »
Explaining Florida’s Fair Housing Act
When a landlord is looking for good tenants to occupy a dwelling, they can rent to whomever they see fit – in theory. In reality, federal and state law restricts a landlord from making choices based on discriminatory characteristics. Florida’s Fair Housing Act, like its federal counterpart, establishes protections for potential renters to ensure… Read More »
Can Landlords Ever Legally Disclose Tenant Information?
Landlords and tenants can interact with each other in many different ways, and have many different types of relationships. However, there are certain responsibilities that landlords and tenants have to each other, and one of them involves privacy rights. A landlord has an obligation to preserve the privacy rights of their tenants, and only… Read More »