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Florida is one of the most populous states in the U.S., home to a number of top universities such as the University of Central Florida and Florida International University. As such, it’s an ideal option for a landlord looking to invest in rental property for the first time or expand their existing assets.
Curious about Florida rental applications? Dive into our platform to discover how we simplify the process while ensuring compliance with state laws. Learn about our customizable applications that allow you to include specific details like pet policies, hurricane preparedness, and property amenities. From seamless tenant screening to user-friendly e-signatures, explore how our platform streamlines the rental application process for Florida landlords. Take the hassle out of Florida rental applications and gain peace of mind with our comprehensive solutions tailored to the Sunshine State.
When it comes to Florida rental laws, there are a few specifics that landlords need to know:
On the flip side of Florida rental laws are tenant responsibilities. Renters are obligated to uphold their part of the lease agreement just like landlords.
The State of Florida has no added laws or restrictions around the collection of criminal background checks, though Miami-Dade County prohibits checking for prior eviction records until a conditional offer to rent has been made. Adherence to general federal law is required. To avoid the perception of discrimination, make sure your screening criteria is stated and is consistent and equal for all groups of people.
The State of Florida has not capped the cost of application fees.
Provisions that, if left out, invalidate the lease:
Build a Florida lease agreement with all of the required disclosures in less than 15 minutes.
There are three sections to a residential lease agreement. The first section outlines the custom details of the contract, such as who’s involved and for what address. Here’s an example Florida lease agreement listing details found in Section 1:
Below are answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to landlord-tenant laws in Florida:
There are many rights granted to tenants in Florida, including the right to live in a safe and functioning home, the right to proper written notice before eviction, and the return of the security deposit promptly after moving out. Florida landlords must return a security deposit within 15 days if there are no deductions or within 30 days if there are deductions.
Even if a tenant in Florida hasn’t signed a formal lease agreement, they still have the same basic protections as leasing tenants, along with a claim to the property. By paying rent, these types of tenants still have rights under the state-specific laws governing residential rental transactions.
Landlords in Florida are required to make repairs within one week of receiving notice of the issue. If they do not, tenants may be able to withhold rent until the issue is taken care of.
Without paying extra rent, tenants can’t remain in the unit for any amount of time after the lease expires. If they do stay after the end of the lease, they become “holdover tenants” and landlords may legally charge double the amount of the original rent per month.
Landlords must provide a 15-day written notice for tenants to move out, specifying the exact date when the tenants must be out of the property.
Florida landlords must provide 24 hours advance notice of entry (except in emergency situations). Landlords may enter a unit without permission in a specific set of circumstances:
If the tenant withholds access unreasonably after the landlord has sent a 12-hour notice.
There is an emergency that threatens the property, such as a fire.
If the landlord believes the tenant has abandoned the property. The tenant must have been absent for at least two weeks in this case.
TurboTenant has utilized many municipal sources along with official state statutes in order to compile this information to the best of our ability. However, local laws are always in flux and landlords and tenants alike should be sure to do their due diligence and consult legal help when it’s needed. We hope the following list can serve as a valuable resource and allow you to succeed as a tenant or landlord in Florida. Be sure to take proper precautions when it comes to finding the top candidates for your unit by utilizing our online rental application and tenant screening services.
Disclaimer: TurboTenant, Inc does not provide legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. All users are advised to check all applicable local, state, and federal laws and consult legal counsel should questions arise.
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