Every homeowner or property investor must be acquainted with landlord-tenant laws in their respective states. These laws list the rights each tenant and landlord have in their own capacity, including regulations regarding evictions, rent increases, and so on. Here are Florida landlord-tenant rules you should know as a resident of Florida.
1. Florida Fair Housing Act
As per Florida Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot discriminate between tenant applicants based on religion, race, color, sex, origin, nationality, disability, marital status, medical history, and so on. The Act prohibits landlords from forbidding entry into a property, setting differential terms and regulations, making any discriminatory statements in property advertisements, falsely claiming the property is unavailable for rent, or making threatening claims preventing tenants from asserting their rights per the Fair Housing Act.
The Act also lists provisions for tenants with physical or mental disabilities. It allows the landlord to make adjustments to policies, contracts, and rules to suit their special condition status. They are also allowed to make modifications to the home’s structure to suit the tenant’s requirements.
2. You Are Allowed to Create Written and Unwritten Leases
According to Florida’s laws, you can renew your annual, biannual, and quarterly leases in written or unwritten form. Even verbal leases are legal in Florida, but we recommend that you work with written leases and agreements.
3. Laws Regarding Rent
As per the landlord-tenant laws in Florida, tenants need to pay rent on time as per the rental agreement. However, in case the landlord does not cater to maintenance and repair requests. The tenant will then give the landlord time to fix the house before they pay the rent.
4. Harmful Chemicals
Lead-based paint is known to cause substantial health problems over time. As per landlord-tenant laws, you do not need to remove lead-based paints, but you need to inform the tenants of their existence. The law also requires that you issue the tenant a detailed sheet about lead-based paints’ threats and dangers in a living space.
In a multi-family building, you need to post a disclaimer listing down all common spaces where the tenants may be exposed to lead-based paints and also list potential safety hazards.
5. Maintenance of Liveable Conditions on the Rental Properties
All landlords need to maintain livable conditions on their rental properties. They need to make sure all heating and air conditioning is in working order. They also need to get pest control spraying done regularly and ensure all plumbing and electrical wiring are in perfect condition. The building must also be safe to inhabit and be structurally sound enough to withstand weather hazards.
6. Right to Privacy
As a landlord, you can enter the property to cater to maintenance and repair tasks. However, you need to inform the tenant of your arrival beforehand, so they may be present during your visit. They have a fundamental right to privacy, which no one can violate.
EndNote
These are just a few Florida landlord-tenant laws you should know. Make sure you get acquainted with all the laws before you invest in a property in Florida
