Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

Is it legal for my landlord to add this to the lease: "Tenant shall be responsible for the first $200 of all repairs.", without specifying more details? My water heater works at about half of what it should, and my landlord did not volunteer to pay for it, but had someone give me a quote.


Asked on 1/02/13, 2:01 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

If you agreed to it, it is.

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Answered on 1/02/13, 2:10 pm
Barry Stein De Cardenas, Freixas, Stein & Zachary

If it is in the lease you signed and you agreed to that, then yes. If he is trying to amend the lease, then you can say no. It does not need to have more details to be clear and enforceable. If the water heater repair is $400 for instance, it appears you pay $200 and he pays $200.

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Answered on 1/02/13, 2:20 pm
Lucreita Becude Lucreita D. Becude, P.A.

I think you have been taken to the bank. If the water heater was not working properly when you moved in, I would say you have a valid case not to make the repair since the damage was there and you did not cause it. However, if you have agreed to this, then you may have to be responsible. However, I would take this to court before I would pay one dime to this man as he knew when he had you sign this lease that there were damages that would need to be repaired.

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Answered on 1/03/13, 8:26 am


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