In last month’s blog, we discussed the impact of rising interest rates and inflation on the housing market. It is also important to note that South Florida has a strong rental market for all residential property types including single-family homes, condos, apartments, and townhouses. For the most part, landlords and tenants intend to have good working relationships, and sign leases to make sure everyone understands the agreement and obligations assigned to both parties. However, disputes between landlords and tenants still happen, and when they do, you want to make sure you have strong legal representation to help you navigate Florida’s tenant laws.
Common Disputes Between Landlords and Tenants
There are several reasons why landlords and tenants might have discord between them. Here are some of the most common disputes that can arise when renting a property:
- Unpaid Rent: One of the main reasons why landlords and tenants dispute is because the latter fails to pay rent.
- Property Damage. Conflict often occurs when property damage takes place in the rentable space, and there is a disagreement as to who is responsible and needs to pay for repairs.
- Uninhabitable living conditions. If the living space has mold, pests, or other issues that make it uninhabitable, legal action might be necessary to resolve the issue.
- Neighbor Complaints. Numerous complaints from neighbors, such as noise or other unruly behavior, can cause conflict.
- On-site Injuries. If an injury happens at the rental property, there might be a disagreement over who will pay for damages.
- Illegal Activity. A dispute can occur if there is an accusation that the property is being used for illegal activity, such as the sale of drugs or other illegal substances.
- Unlawful Entry. If the landlord enters the occupied space without proper notice, the tenant might take action.
- Discrimination. If a tenant feels they have been discriminated against based on sex, race, religion, or another protected category they might pursue legal action.
- Violation of the Lease. In a general sense, disputes often arise if the terms of the lease are not upheld by either party.
The Florida laws governing leases are complex, and often make it difficult for landlords and tenants alike to understand who is correct in a dispute. Depending on the situation, it might be in the best interest of either party to have an attorney to help interpret the law and represent them in a legal dispute. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the laws involving rental properties, provide you with options to resolve disputes, and represent you during arbitration or in court.
If you find yourself in need of eviction services, The Law Office of Donna Hearne-Gousse has a proven track record in representing landlords in the eviction process. We have successfully navigated the eviction process many times over with successful results and minimal out of pocket expense.
If you need a real estate attorney in Palm Beach County for eviction services or any related real estate matter, we welcome you to contact us for more information.
The Law Office of Donna Hearne-Gousse
Royal Palm Beach, FL
(561) 582-5670