Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

If landlord's abandoned the property
Have rented an efficency w/utilities attached to a house for 14 months - paid first and half a month security. I'm paid up through deposits to a bank account number until the end of the month. Two months ago they said they'd rented the main house and were going to Calif. No one showed up to live there, the phone numbers they gave me are now disconnected, they don't answer e-mails. A realitor friend checked - they have another property in town with 2 liens, nothing on where I live. She also found out that they did have this house up for sale or rent but canceled that - that realitor believed the owners intended to leave the US (they're Colombian). The back door of the house has been left open - they stripped the place. They're a month behind in the electric as of now.
I want to move but I need some time to find something. Since no papers have been served, if I don't pay the rent (and I never hear from them because they have abandoned the property) but pay the utilities myself, could I still be considered a ''squatter''? Wouldn't they technically at least owe me a half a month for the security I'll never get back? Any chance I can stay until papers are served....if they have abandoned the house for good? Thanks

Asked on 4/25/08, 3:25 pm

David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

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Re: If landlord's abandoned the property

yes

Answered on 4/25/08, 4:10 pm

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