The gross median rent in Florida was $1,250 in 2019 — the highest it’s ever been.
If you’re paying rent, you want to ensure your home is worth the money you’re paying each month. If you’re collecting rent, you want to make sure your tenants are living in the best possible conditions so you stay out of legal trouble, and so they choose to stay.
Luckily, we’re here to help you out. Read on for three important things to know about your Florida rental agreement.
1. Provide Habitable Housing
Landlords are legally required to keep their rentals habitable for their tenants, otherwise, other legal troubles can ensue. Basically, if landlords don’t take care of important repairs, like a broken heater or AC unit, tenants can have several options, like the right to withhold rent.
As a tenant, submitting work orders or requests as soon as possible after you notice issues is important. As a landlord, it’s essential to have a system set in place for maintenance and repairs.
In both scenarios, making repairs as soon as possible is going to keep everyone comfortable and happy.
2. Get Your Lease in Writing
The lease is important for both tenant and landlord. It outlines important things like the length of tenancy, amount of rent, and even requirements the tenant might have as a resident.
It’s also going to note when the landlord considers rent late, and when the tenant might receive a 3 day eviction notice. Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, it’s best to attempt to make contact if you’re having trouble with rent. In a lot of cases, an agreement can be made and so can exceptions.
If you’re a tenant and you notice illegal sentences in your lease like, “landlord is not responsible for keep premises hospitable,” it’s important to have the issue addressed before you move in.
3. Make Legally Required Disclosures
In addition to the lease, landlords are also required to make certain disclosures — especially in the case of things like lead paint and potential pest problems. Also, the tenant’s security deposit. Is it going to be kept an interest-bearing account, or one that holds its value until the end of that tenancy?
Some of these disclosures are required on a local level, but others (like the one about lead-based paint) are required on a federal level. In either case, landlords can face hefty fines if they’re not proactive about making sure the tenant gets their notices.
Remember These Things for Your Florida Rental Agreement
Now that we’ve gone over three of the most important things to remember with your Florida rental agreement, it’s time to get started. No matter your role in the agreement, it’s important to know your responsibilities so they can be carried out fully. It’s also going to help you avoid legal hassles later down the line.
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