Tenant Rights in Orlando, Florida

Renters in Orlando, Florida, are protected under the Florida Landlord Tenant law, which detail the rights for all tenants in the state. Among these are the regulations regarding the condition of rental property, access to the building and communication with the landlord about potential problems.

A Habitable Dwelling

Under Florida law, tenants have the right to expect a habitable rental dwelling free from serious structural defects and damage. According to the Florida Division of Consumer Services, your rental property is required to have a roof that does not leak, walls that are weatherproofed and utilities -- such as hot and cold running water and heat -- that are fully functional. You also have the right to a rental property that is free of infestation from insects, rodents or other crawling home invaders.

Access

Once you have taken possession of a rental property, your access is required to be the same as if you owned it. This means you must have unfettered access to your rental property. The landlord is required to give you notice before he enters the rental property, along with the reason for his entering, such as repairs or to make improvements to the property. You have the right to deny the landlord entry to the property, but if you continually deny him entry without a valid reason, the landlord may enter the property without your permission.

Repairs and the Withholding of Rent

You have the right to request that repairs be made to the rental property to bring it in compliance with the state of Florida's housing and health codes. These requests should be made in writing. If the landlord does not comply with your requests to make repairs to the property within a reasonable amount of time, you have the right to withhold rental payments to force such repairs. If you decide to withhold rent, you are required to provide your reasons for doing so in writing to the landlord, along with a list of what is damaged in the property. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Lease Violations

If your landlord believes you have violated your lease agreement, he is required to inform you of the alleged violation and allow you seven days to correct the behavior or circumstances. This notice must be in writing and delivered through certified mail or hand delivered. If you have not complied with the landlord's request within seven days, he may begin eviction proceedings. An exception to this rule applies to non-payment of the rent. A landlord may begin eviction proceedings against you immediately for non-payment.

References

• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Florida Landlord/Tenant Division
• Florida International University: Florida's Landlord Tenant Law