Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

I rent a 2 bedroom in a duplex in FL. When I moved in my landlord had someone living in the attached garage and lanai attached to my side of the duplex, illegal I'm sure. Which made me not allowed to have access to the back door that went to the lanai and out to the backyard. There was a deadbolt lock on the door from the outside. The man that lived there moved out about 8 months ago and no one lives in there now. I asked my landlord if I could have access to just the lanai so I could get to the backyard where my laundry machines are. She said no because when she was in town once a year she wanted to stay in there. I now have a 6 month old girl and will soon like to be able to take her outback to play in yard. The only way I can get back there is through a gate out front on side of house. Where landlord stores her one car that is not in use and a broke down jet ski. Making it almost impossible to walk around with laundry never mind now with a baby as well. So dangerous. And I can't leave baby inside while I do laundry because it takes me too long to go all the way around to do so. Can she keep a lock on sliding door from my kitchen to the lanai/outback? What about fire regulations in FL. and not having 2 exits in home? Is there anything I can do?


Asked on 5/21/17, 10:16 am

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

What does your lease say about access to that area? Start with that document as it controls the relationship. Your needs are not the legal factors to consider. the issue is what did the parties agreed to at the time of the lease. if you have a legal question, seek guidance from an attorney. Check with code enforcement but I doubt there are regulations requiring two access and exit points in the unit.

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Answered on 5/21/17, 10:42 am


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