Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

My landlord is not the owner of my studio. I live behind the house he rents on the same property. I have a month to month agreement.This landlord has not divulged the real property owner from the day I moved in (April 1st). He did not divulge that the roof had been replaced until after I moved-it was damaged due to a neighbor's dead tree branch falling onto the roof. There are still branches from this tree that in a high wind would fall and re-damage my roof. This landlord knows this and said he contacted the owner. He also said he has contacted the owner regarding the leaks in this new roof, the gas smell coming from the bathroom fixtures when the washing machine is used. This man has raised my rent twice in 3 months. The last time he raised my rent giving me a fifteen day notice I asked him how this was plausible considering all of the unfixed issues. He stated he could get the $200 dollar increase regardless of the issues from anyone. Because he never has been forthcoming about the owner, whether he has in fact called them (why would the owner allow his property to fall apart), has not fixed anything do I have a right to abandon the studio without paying? Or, do I have to pay this increase and give notice I will withhold future rent if things are not fixed? I have also gone online and researched the true owner of this property.


Asked on 7/29/17, 5:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Barry Stein De Cardenas, Freixas, Stein & Zachary

If you don't pay the increases you can be evicted. If you withhold under the law, your lease can be terminated. There can be a retaliatory eviction claim, but the litigation will be costly. If the issues concern you, you really need to look for another place to live. The month to month rental puts you at the mercy of the tenant/landlord.

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Answered on 7/29/17, 5:47 am


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