Florida is a prime real estate location for many retirees, families and vacationers. Not everyone who moves or visits here owns their homes. Many people prefer to rent, thus creating a tenant/landlord relationship. This can become problematic if a legal dispute arises. In such cases, Florida real estate laws may help resolve a disagreement.
Every state has its own laws regarding the obligations of tenants and landlords. For instance, in some states, a tenant must provide a landlord with written notice about defective items in a dwelling. If this notice is not given, the landlord may not be obligated to make repairs. In addition to state laws, each landlord and tenant may have unique phrasing in a contract, which is relevant to a particular legal dispute, such as a tenant signing an agreement that obligates him or her to rent a property for a certain amount of time.
Common landlord-tenant disputes
Any number of issues may become a central focus of a real estate dispute between a tenant and landlord. The following list shows several issues that are often at the root of such disagreements:
- Eviction notices
- Unpaid rent or rent increases
- Repairs
- Subletting
- Complaints from other tenants
It is always best if a tenant and landlord can resolve a disagreement without going to court. However, this is not always possible.
Understanding one’s rights where to seek support
A key to avoiding legal disputes between tenants and landlords is to execute a solid contract from the start. If one party believes the other has violated the terms of the contract, he or she may wish to seek legal consultation to explore solution options. An experienced real estate law attorney can make recommendations and can also be on hand to represent a client if litigation becomes necessary.