M<)St renters um ;;.1w.am they h;we certain rights when they are lnvo!ved in ,?l • dispute 'Nlth thelr landlord, ho-.vever they often don't kno<s,v what thm;e rights are, This brochufe W( -> developed by the Florida Depart­ ment of Agrln.Mwi:'! and  Consumer S rvk:es to ,mswer
many of thi,! i:westlons fmqulznlty S J.0 about bndkm.:Vtenant reiatlonshlps, Thh btochi..ne ss NOT meint to be a complete summary of Flork:la's L:lndlord!Tt nant !aw, This brod-iur ls not kitended for the 1xirp-0se of providing legal 1-idvi<:e, Fm- additional
lnform,.:1tion not addrf:ssed • in	the brochure, refer to Ch;ipter 8J of the Florida Sbtutes, A COP)" nf the statutes: m;;1y b0 r,,ibtained b}' rn!llng us at H3DO---Hf.LP-FLA (435-- 7352) or  by vlsitlng us onllne at w 1t,11,o.1_\$00helpf1a.rn m,
Thls Information applies to tho%, \NfHJ rent a dweiling
unit,% descri d inSectkm 8'.l43, r 5.
BEFOR.E YOU REtft
Walk thrm.Jgh th0 pt'i'!m!ses to identify any prob!, ms
that should fo>:.i:'d BffOHE you rent fa :;$ µictures., vldeo m m;,i!w notes of , ny questionable condltlons and rndude ptovislons for repairs in the n:'ntJ.ll <lfffef!­ ment or ln <l separ,?lte written document signed by both parties,

A tenant is an equal party v1ith the landkxi:L You never have to . gn,!e to miy rental arrnngemem. Bfdt,re renting ,ci dwemrig, be sum the rental agn:<ement WVe!'S AU. the isstms: addressed in thls bmchum,
}kforeyou sign, make sum you thmou9h!y understand the terrns of the agreement. lf you DON'T understand, DON'T sign the rental tgmern<::nt There is no grace period alio',ved for GltKdlng rental ;)greements, so ff you slgn, you ambotind t<i the agreeroent

florld.:1 law f•,xiuims that notkes to and fr;:;rn a f.:1m:i!ord must bi tn writing, even lf the rental  agreement  ls orat You should always retain <l cnpy of any rnrruspond.;,mce tO;,md from yom' !ind!ord.
$$-ti:foft $1.4-ffe{ J. f, $.
Wthe rental agreement conw!ns no pmvision as to dl-Jrntion of the tenanty; the dur,Hkin ls determined by the pfriods far whith r nl is payable (Wt:'€k-to-wi d<., month--to,month, etc,}, All i:.ther terms: are either thn : spedfiai!ly addressed by fatv or those that ,ire part of the
,:1greement between you and your !.:1nd!ord,
DEPOsrr & RENT REQUIREME.NTS
$M.tb.@ $ l 4 $ f. S.
Aland!ordhas the dlscrntlon to (olle-ct various deposits as\ W$!l as· some rent ln advance, These advant€ pavm11!nts generally wry in range, You should be cawfol
,fotiUt maklng any deposit unless a definlte dedslon has bten made to move into the unlt A tenant v<1hn puts down a deposit but dwn i.foddes nnt to occupy the llnlt, MAY NOT be entitled to a refond. !f a deposit ls non­ t<i.!fondable lt should b<i.: stated hi the rental agrnenwnt
A damage deposit is the most mmrnon requlre,ni nt of landlords, At the time of the pre-rental walk-tht<: ugh with the landlord, y,.1u should make note d dam;.:1ged items or arn:as, worn rugs, bmkeri fixtures, ett, andgive a mpy to the bndkxd, Keep a <:opy for your flies, ,.-vhk:h may help ellminate or rninlmize dsputes later,

VVhen you move <n,it Hw 1¥idlord must either return your deposit wlthln 1S days of termination of the serit:\! agree­ ment, if the landlord does not intend to hnpose a dairn upon the security deposit; or justify ln writing by certlfiw mait to the tenm1t'$ bst knnwn mailing ;;.1ddti:'ss w!thin 30- days upon tennin<)ti,:inofo rental agreement, as t'O \rvhy they are keeping a p<irtkm of or all of the deposit ff the notke h not sent as ,"f,quired withln the 30-diy pi rfod, the landlord forfeits hls/her nqht to lmpzy;,,e a dalm upon the deposlt, unless y<iu foil to give proper notice pdor tn v; cating,

SoctkH1 $$.49$ l{h)h:h f. $<
Unless

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE???
You and your lNKi!<)rd share nw ny <if Hw  ttrilli)nslbHiHi $­
M;?llf1ten.ance of the prmnis,:'s ls a good e:o:;?lil,pki, Yo.ur
!and!ord must provld(? ;ci healthy,. properly ro,1intained placefor you to llve You are required tn keep the mem­ i:msln good condition and to occupy th<i.!m as a pe,mi!i'ul nelghbor;

There an <:ertain responslbHitief< that apply tn each party asout!lned by law,
TheLandford
$ dfon$3,$1f1L F,$.
The landlord's responsibilities wrn di:<pencl on the type of rental unl"t The landlord of ;;1 dvv'€!Hng unit at ail tlffies
dmlng the tenancy shall:
s '"tfon $3,$"1!l Hl:'l:Hb} KS.
i,i· Comply \¼'lth the requlrernems of appllrnbk bulkllng,
housing -iB!d health codes; or
* Where there am no pplkab!e building, housing or health codes; malnta!r1 the roof, wlndows, saeens, Acors., st€p5,. porches., exterior walls,. fom1tlatlons and
,;1!!  other  stmctura!  components  in  good  repair  and
capable of ms:btlng nomial forms and kiads;:
$   Keep the ph..,mbing in reasonably good v,,ixklng condition,
The larKNord's obl!gotlans may be aftered or modiffod ln
'Nriting with re:;per.t to asmgle fami,:t divei?ing or duplex,
$$ct'k@@SS,1{ZH L FS,
ln  addition  to  providing  the  above  requlrements...  the l<md!ord of a dwelllng unit other than a sln9te-fami!y home or duplex shall, at al! times of the ten,mcy, make rfasonab!e pmvlskms for:
Exttnninition of rats, mke, at1ts and '1Nood destroying
nrganlsrns and bed bugs,
$ Locks and keys,
* Clean and safe conditions of common arn•as.
Garbagi=.-: removal and outsld<::, re<:eptades,
'ili< Functioning fod!ltks for heat during ,.,.._,'/nter, rnnning

TheTenant
J,,.u:tfo E@s:t fS,
A tenant, ;;.1{Mttlrrws dudng the tenancy shall:
$> Compl}'witkall bu\!ding, how,lng and health codes,
$ Keepth,a:d-.ve!llng dean and «:mltary.
'>i Remove garbage from the dwdHng in a dean ;;.1nd
s:anitary••mannet;
Kee? i1lumblng fixtures de.an, sanitary Jnd lo repalr.
$ Not destroy, deface, damage, impair or r move any part of thffpremlSE!S or property belongmg to the landlord, norperrn1t any pemm to do so,
Conduct him/herse!f, and requke other persom  on the premises with hiS/htr mnsent, tn t(mduct them­ selves • lfl a manner thot does not 1.mr'i'!asonably disturb the tfnant's neighbors or constitute a breach of the p0a<:e.
Use and operate in a reasonable rnanner aH dectd· ca!, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventlbtlng, ak­ C,;)nditionlng and other facilities and appliances, lnduding elevators.
ACCESS TO THE PREMISES
$ S:ltti	ti S.tSM:n FS.
Once you ..:1gt'-Oeto rent a_d we !ling, your :igl:ttc, posse sion is much the same as if you owned it lhe !and!om however, ti;ln enter at reJs,;)n<Jb!e times ..-vlth pmper notk€ to inspect, make rii:'ce%ary or agreed repairs, dernrntions, .; :Iterations or improvem0nts, supply agreed services or s:hov,t lt to a pmspecttve or actual purchaser, t€nant,. mortgagef.', \rVOrker or contractor_

The landlord may also emer at any time wh<:::n:
The tenant hm; given <:0nsent;
ln an err,i r wncy;
The tenant unre.:isonabfy withholds wment; and/or,
The ten@t is <lcbsent from the premises for a µerk\d of time £-qoal to on€'-half the tin-w for periodk n ntal payrni:nts.If the rent is nment and.the tenant notsn,es:
the	h.:1ndlord of an lntBnded ansem:e, thi n tne

ORAL & WRITTEN
RENTAL AGREEMENTS

daim
of

ynu   object  to  the   lmposit\on  of  the land!on:i'f<
or the amount thereof within 15 days after rt.><:e,ipt

water and hot •Nater,

!andlordmay enter only withtheconsent of dif tenant
of for the pmtecthn ot pt 'Se-rvation of the premises_

A rental agreement is an agm m nt to mnt property k:ommon!y referred to as lear s\ Rental agreements may be either written or oraL tv1ost rental agreements am written beG\USi:' oral agreements can besubject to
mlsonderstandlng.s · and	am   d1l'fkuh w  prove,	A
,Ndtten rental agreement can be a formal contract, or slmp1y a copy of a h'5t1:t r H,Ming the rights and i:,h!iga­ trons ol' both thi:i hnd!ord ar1d tenant

the  land!Otd's  notke i:,f lntentlon to lmpose a dalm,
the landlord may ttwn deduct the amount of his m· her daim and sha!l ri mlt the balance of the deposlt to you within 30 diiys after the date of the notice ()f intention·tn lmpcse   a  dalrn  for  damages,     If  you   object  to  the
land!nrd's  daim  you  may  nk  a  complaint   wlth the
Dt.>partment of Agrkultunc< and  Con,sunwr Servkef< Of
!nsUtute Ml ;,a:tlon !n a court of competent judsdl<:tion W
aqjudkilte the. fandlord's dght to the se<wlty deposlt.

S dhm e:»•.n {2Hbt fS,
lf the dwt:Wn9 is a single-.fami!y home of duplex, a W(ltking smoke detectlon dtvke.

Thfs: does not me.an that the landlord h (lbligated to pay for utHltles, w ter, foe! or garbage removat, · a!thmigh heh.he may crwose to, Other proviskms re!ia,vant to a
;,igref.ment rt1<1y· dso be altered in wrltlng.

f theLandlord Oces Not Comply
Soctb SJ., $011rs.,
You may bi: ;)b!e to withhold mnt tf your landbrd fails  to do whJt the !ilw or rental a ireement requires. You must h<)Wever, announce yi:iur intentions ln writing by m<il!, prefernbly certlned, at le;;.1st %"VN1 d.; ys _before the rent is due to .:ili,:,iw time to renwdythe problem,

ff the pmb!ern i5 not correned withi! the sewn days and you withhold the rent the landlord may t;.iki? you to cowrt to cd!ect it UndN these drcumstano s, you must pay the r;;.;nr bro the court registry, p, nding the jud91.=.{s deti.:.!r-rtiination in the case.
if theTenant Does Not Comply
S:i:¾tl@n $ '56(2}.,. F.S.
fou c;.in be evk:ted for not !iv!ng up to the agreement The pmcess of removal depends on the breach.
FJUlURE TO MEET OBLIGATIONS
Except for the faik;re to pay rent, a landlord must
notify you in writing of any shortcomings and give you se:<1en days in whid, to correct the situation. !f you stm haw not rnmpihw after seven <la} , the land!crd can begin the eviction pn:x;ess based on non-ccmptmw.
Other Evk tkms
SMtkn $3S5{2H t f.S.
Under certain drcums::am:i s, lf vou have e:i;h\bited a Lad<. 1:if consideration for thi rights and prht,:Ky of others, a !and!crd has the rlght to require you to mow, w·fth very !itt!e notice.

!n soin,;:, cases (destruction, damage, misuse of prop­ erty, unreasonable disturbances), the 1and!ord does not have to givE- you an opportunity to remedy the pmb!em and may terminate tenancy by giving you a seven-day written not.ke,

Each eviction case is unique, so be sure to obtain !eg;.ii advke. A landlord W-.AY NOTevktyou soieiy inreta!iafon for the tenant wmp!aining to a govemrnenta! agtmcy about codeviolations or asserting other tenant rights,
Non Payment of Rent
S d:h fll,$6{3)$ f.5,
The iand!md must serve you, the tenant, a written notke a!!owing three days foxduding weekends and legal holidays} for you to pay the rent or move from the premiws, !f you do not pay the rent or move, he/she may begin !ega! action to evkt you.

1n ordef for the !andbfd to g;.iin payment of rerir er possession of the dweHlng, hehhe must fHe suit In county court !f the court '- gref.!S w1th the !and!ord, you wW be notified in writing, You then h,,M five days (i, :<ckiding we1::0.,•rxi5 and li:!ga! holidays} to respond - also in 'Writing ··· to the CClirt If you do not respond or a Judgment is entNM againr.t you,thederk of thernunty court \·vHl issrn a '"Writ ,;f Posf.essior{ to the sheriff who
wrn rn:itHy you that eviction ·,vm take p!a;:::e !n 24 hows,

S dkm it:LS7JS,
Termination of tenancy without a :spedfic term - days of
1N,i,tt .:.<n  notice requ•red (prior to tem1!nation}:
W@¾iMy -·· --·1 d yi
MtH tMy YNA-VYNA   15:fo)fli' QtHtrt r y ·•-~v• 30d yi Ytmdy N• -·- , 60d yi
:::fottkm $3,f,ft, f.S,
Florida l.aw does riot a!!mv a bnd!ord to force a tenant out by:
,$ Shutting off the utUitii% or interrupting service, even if that servke l:; under the m:1tro! of or the !arid!md makes payment;
Changi:19 the !ocks or using a device that denle5 the tenant access;
«< Removing the outs!de doors, locks, roof; •.va!!s er windows·· (except fur purposes of rmiinten;;inc;:.-, repair or replacement}; and/or
Removing the tenant':s person,:1! pmperty from the dwemng un!ess act1on is tak0n after surrender, aban­ donment, recovery of poSS$SS!on of the dwe!!!ng unit due tothe death of the last remaining tenant inaccor­ daN:e wlth section 83.59(3)(d), or !awful eviction,

1f any (1f these o:::rnr, the tenant may sue for actua! and consequent!a! darnages or three months' rent, which· 0ver rs greater, plus court costs and attorney's f€i s.
WHEN YOU DEC]DE TO MOVE
Don't forget to g!ve the required notice as stated in your
rental agreement, 111e inforrnatinn be!ow lndic,.:ite:; appropriate noti!k:ation if a spi:!dk tim1.:, period ls not indwded 1ri the rental agieement Be sure to check your rental agreement for any ether specified rnndit.lon,

Under certa!ri dn::lm,starKes, if ailov;ed by the provi­ sions of the rentili agref ment, a rent.a! agreement may be ended when dther party gives writ.ten notice to the other of their intention, Send ali rnrresnondence relating to ymir Intentions to the landlord by certified mail ordeHver it by hand and insist on a receipt.

!tis usuaHy a good Idea to tdk with the !andlord in pets.on, too, !fyou must canrn! a !ease before its expiration dJte, perhaps the hmd!ord wi!! a.cr.E-pt the security deposit a;; the total finanda! obHgatkm, !f so_.. be sure to obtain a signed agr rnent tothis dfoct from the landlord,

When you move from a mntal un1t .. , o mi:ltter the Juratio'n ... be Slire to settle a!! ,KCNmt'i. Termin0tr:; utility