Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

can i sue my landlord

My landlord recently posted a picture of my boyfriends truck to my front door with his social security number,name, and the heading DUI next to it. He also posted 2 bright orange signs on my door and window stating that no alcohol may be consumed on the property. He then wrote my boyfriends name on one of those papers stating his name and DUI beside it. The duplex is not up to code and we have called code enforcement. He wants them to condem the building and kick us out. But what about the money that we have paid him? He allowed us to move in, took $825.00 of our money and then continued to take $525.00 a month from us until we refused to pay because of the condition of the house. He has been taking doors off of hinges, removed pieces of our gate, and took an air conditioner out of my bedroom window without privious notice to us. We have been forced to change locks and put boards in our windows to keep him from getting in to steal anything. He is now posting my boyfriends ssn everywhere. He also made the threat that he would ruin our credit and we would never be able to use our social security numbers again. Is there something that I can do? Please help me.


Asked on 9/11/03, 5:22 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Peter Gonzalez Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez, Quesada, Lage, Crespo, Gomez & MachadoLLP

Re: can i sue my landlord

NOTE: This communication is not intended to be legal advice. Instead, it is intended solely as a general statement regarding legal principles. You should not rely on or take any action based on this communication without first presenting all relevant details to a competent attorney in your jurisdiction, receiving such attorney's individualized advice for you, and establishing an attorney-client relationship. By reading this "Response" to your question or comment, you agree that the opinion expressed herein and/or the information contained in this response is not intended to, nor does it, create any attorney-client relationship with the law firm of Gonzalez & Associates, P.A. or any of its attorneys, nor does it constitute legal advice to any person or entity reviewing such information, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. If you do not agree with the foregoing, then you are instructed to stop here, and do not read any further.

If the lanbdlord is randomly taking items from the premises, like an AC unit off the wall, you may want to consider calling the police to report the theft. The landlord has no right to effectively steal property to which you have an interest by way of your lease agreement. You should seriously consider retaining a real estate litigator experienced in residential landlord-tenant law if you have any intention of staying on the premises and fighting the landlord (assuming it's worth it). Alternatively, start looking for a new place. Good luck.

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Answered on 9/11/03, 5:47 pm


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