Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

I moved into an office space and a verbal partnership with the current tenants (share of office space) Things are obviously taking a dark turn and we will be parting ways soon. I come to find out that the current "tenants" are nowhere on the lease and have no ownership of any of the equipment or furniture in the office (it does not belong to the landlord either) The lease is in a rogue business partner's name who left long ago. We believe that all of the furnishings where purchased by him and abandoned.

My question is two-fold:

Do these guys that are currently occupying the office with me, but are not on the lease, have any authority to kick me out?

Are the furnishings now "community property" that I (or them) would not get into trouble for taking?

I sincerely appreciate any feedback!


Asked on 9/10/09, 9:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

It sounds like the "tenants" are sub-let tenants, and you are sub-sub-let tenants. Since your agreement is with the current tenants, they can kick you out for failure to comply with the terms of the tenancy (by default, the terms in FL statutes, and your agreement to pay rent). If they had no right to sub-let to you in the first place, that does not increase your rights to stay there -- that is just a matter between the LL and the lessee.

The furnishings/equipment are in no way your property and you would be in trouble for taking anything.

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Answered on 9/10/09, 11:29 pm


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