Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

Landlord/Tenant

I am a landlord in Florida. I evicted a tenant for non-payment of rent. When the sheriff formally evicted him, he left many items including tools. After several weeks, I moved all the property to the curb. Now, one year later, his friend has filed a lawsuit suing me for the tools that he claims were his. Am I, the landlord, responsible for any property this friend claims he left at the house?


Asked on 5/06/09, 10:21 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Re: Landlord/Tenant

After over a year and with no way for you to know that the tools were someone else's. I can't imagine that a court will hold you responsible. He had an obligation to get his tools. If he lent them to the tenant, his beef is with the tenant. Now, if you knew that the property was his and had a way to contact him but failed to do so, then you may have some liability, but as you describe this incident, I think that he is out of luck. If you still have the tools, of course, and they are his, then they should be returned to him.

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Answered on 5/06/09, 10:30 am


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