JACKSONVILLE
TENANT RIGHTS
ATTORNEY WORKING FOR YOU
When a person pays rent to live in a house, apartment, condominium,
or mobile home, the renter becomes a tenant governed by Florida law
and has certain rights and responsibilities.
FLORIDA TENANT RIGHTS
Under Florida law, tenant rights are specified in the Florida Statutes at Part II, Chapter 83, the Florida Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
A tenant is entitled to the right of private, peaceful possession of the dwelling. The landlord must rent a dwelling that is fit to be lived in. It must have working plumbing, hot water, and heating, be structurally sound, and have reasonable security, including working and locking doors and windows, and it must be free of pests. The landlord also must comply with local health, building, and safety codes. Once rented, the dwelling is the tenant’s to use lawfully.
You should contact your Jacksonville Tenant Rights attorney today if you believe you have a claim against your landlord or property management company for issues such as:
SECURITY DEPOSIT THEFT
A security deposit is a money that the landlord holds to protect itself in case you break the rental agreement by not paying rent or causing damage. If all goes well, you leave the place clean and undamaged with no unpaid rent, and you get the whole deposit back within 15 days of leaving. Unfortunately, in some instances, Landlords have tried various tactics to keep the money unlawfully.
RETURNING A TENANT’S
SECURITY DEPOSIT IN FLORIDA
Landlords must return the security deposit within 15 days of lease termination. Suppose a claim is being imposed on the security deposit. In that case, the landlord has 30 days from the termination of the lease to notify the tenant in writing of their intention to keep a portion of the tenant’s security deposit. If the landlord fails to notify the tenant in writing within 30 days, the landlord forfeits the right to keep any portion of the security deposit.
The written notice must:
Florida law suggests the landlord use a statement similar to this one:
This is a notice of my intention to impose a claim for damages in the amount of ___ upon your security deposit due to___. It is sent to you as required by s. 83.49(3), Florida Statutes. You are hereby notified that you must object in writing to this deduction from your security deposit within 15 days from the time you receive this notice, or I will be authorized to deduct my claim from your security deposit. Your objection must be sent to (landlord’s address).
If you don’t receive your security deposit or a certified letter from your landlord within 30 days of termination of the lease, you may have a claim against your landlord. The landlord forfeits its right to impose a claim on the security deposit if they don’t send a certified letter within 30 days of lease termination. You don’t pay unless we win your security deposit claim.
WHAT TO DO TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF SECURITY DEPOSIT THEFT
Need A FREE
Case Evaluation?
Contact the Law Office of Glenn S. Banner
for a FREE initial case evaluation.
If your rights as a tenant are being violated or your landlord is violating your lease, you should call today. Call the Law Office of Glenn S. Banner, P.A. today for a free case evaluation. Glenn can come to you and meet you at your home or office for your convenience.
Your Jacksonville tenant rights attorney provides legal services throughout Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Beaches, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Julington Creek, St. Augustine, and all communities.
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