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Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Landlord-tenant law is a specific area of law that relates to the legal responsibilities that landlords and tenants have to each other. When a dispute arises, it is important to fully understand your rights under Florida law. By working with a seasoned landlord-tenant litigation attorney, you can ensure that your rights are protected and that your best interests are being advocated for.
For Tenants
Under Florida law, a landlord must meet certain obligations. For example, a landlord must keep the home in basic habitable condition, with properly working heating, cooling, and electricity. Landlords also must keep the home safe and sanitary, meaning that any maintenance issues that affect the tenant’s ability to maintain sanitary surroundings or maintenance issues that put the tenant’s safety in jeopardy must be rectified as soon as possible. Additionally, the landlord may not enter the premises without 12 hours advance notice to the tenant, except in certain situations, like emergency maintenance or in the event that the tenant has an extended absence from the property.
If a landlord fails to meet his or her obligations to the tenant, the tenant may have legal remedies. An attorney can be retained in order to prompt the landlord to attend to outstanding matters quickly; if the landlord still refuses to make the necessary changes, the tenant may be able to bring a claim forward. A court may be able to compel the landlord to act, or they may be able to dissolve the lease, allowing the tenant to leave the property without legal consequence. In some cases, a tenant may be able to sue for a refund of past rent paid, or they may be able to recover damages for the emotional, physical, and financial stress that substandard living conditions has created.
For Landlords
The same laws that govern a landlord’s responsibility to his or her tenants also include laws that a tenant must abide by. A tenant is responsible for making rent payments as dictated by the lease agreement, and the tenant may not cause structural damage to the property or damage that goes beyond the normal wear and tear of daily living.
If a tenant fails to meet his or her obligations to the landlord, the landlord may have legal remedies. An attorney can assist the landlord in recovering overdue rent payments and can assist the landlord in navigating through the legal aspects of the eviction process when necessary. Additionally, a legal team can help the landlord seek compensation in the event that the tenant has caused significant, costly damage to the home and surrounding property.
Contact Knott | Ebelini | Hart Today
Knott | Ebelini | Hart is a team of experienced landlord-tenant dispute attorneys who can provide you with the expert legal advice you need to move forward. Call today for a consultation to discuss your case at (239) 334-2722.
April 12, 2015 Share This
