Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

Re: Is this Harassment?

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You have to send your notice by certified mail to the landlord as required by Florida Statutes 83.56 Termination of rental agreement. —

(1) If the landlord materially fails to comply with s. 83.51(1) or

material provisions of the rental agreement within 7 days after delivery of written notice by the tenant specifying the noncompliance and indicating the intention of the tenant to terminate the rental agreement by reason thereof, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement. If the failure to comply with s. 83.51(1) or material provisions of the rental agreement is

due to causes beyond the control of the landlord and the landlord has made

and continues to make every reasonable effort to correct the failure to comply, the rental agreement may be terminated or altered by the parties, as follows:

(a) If the landlord's failure to comply renders the dwelling unit

untenantable and the tenant vacates, the tenant shall not be liable for

rent during the period the dwelling unit remains uninhabitable.

(b) If the landlord's failure to comply does not render the dwelling unit untenantable and the tenant remains in occupancy, the rent for the period of noncompliance shall be reduced by an amount in proportion to the loss of rental value caused by the noncompliance.

For further questions, you should consult a local attorney who is qualified in real estate/landlord and tenant law.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.