Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

There was an answer but I wasn't clear on a few things, I don't think you can edit these. so I am posting this again.

On March 1st of this year, I entered a 12 month lease for a single family home that has three owners. On my lease there are only 2 of the owners listed. In May of this year, the owner who is not listed on the lease showed up at the rental out of the blue and walked right into the house. No knocking, no nothing. Just walked in and asked "who the hell are you". I didn't know who he was or what I had done. I told him I was renting the house and asked who he was. After explaining to me this was his house, he demanded to see the lease. After showing him the lease and asking him to leave, I called the police and made a report over the phone and then contacted one of the ladies who I had signed the lease with. Everything was righted, he called them demanding the 1/3 of rent and I heard nothing else. Then..on the 18th of this month (August). This man shows up again with a 3 day eviction notice that has obviously been printed off the internet, doesn't list my name or address, just says "tennant" and looks like a 2 year old filled it out. Threatened to throw me and my children into the street. I again contacted one of the ladies on the lease who take a copy (cause I wouldn't let her have the original) to the court house to find out if this was legit. It apparently wasn't. Was told by the clerk to fill out a protection order. Have the papers to do so and was planning on doing that Monday (the 22nd). Thought everything was finally over.

Today...the 20th of August I receive a letter in the mail from an attorney. Stating that his client was going file a civil lawsuit in Circuit Court and that I was breaking the law. That this man who is 33% owner of home didn't know house was going to be rented. (He knew on March 1st, I was told and then again when I told him on May 24th when he busted up in the house like the police) That I had 30 days to remove myself from the residence and that he was going to sue me for monetary compensation. That I was in violation of Florida Statutes but didn't list which ones. That its fraud and will refer this case to the State Attorney's Office for appropriate charges.

There was no summons with the eviction notice. It was printed off the internet. As for his Attorney and the letter I got today. If he says he didn't know about the lease and I get thrown out of here. What can I do? Can he even do that? Do I have any rights at all? Does the 3 day eviction notice count as acknowledgement? I mean he obviously has acknowledged that I am here if he is trying to evict me? Or no?

This man is only 33% owner of the home. I have the other 66% of the owners on a signed lease. Is this even legal or have I unknowingly got myself in a mess and wasted all this money? I have never missed a payment on rent. I have all the proper papers showing how much I have paid...when I have paid it etc. I don't know what to do in this situation. I am stressed out. I can't sleep. This man has a habit of popping up unannounced and harassing me. I am scared I am going to come home and all my stuff is going to be out on the curb. Is there anything I can do to protect myself? Do I have a case for harassment or to get my money back? Can I file a protection order?


Asked on 8/20/11, 11:28 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Lucreita Becude Lucreita D. Becude, P.A.

YOu can find the information you need simply by goggle ' landlord tenant law - florida'

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Answered on 8/20/11, 11:52 am


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