Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

What happens if my tenants get caught underage drinking? I have 5 tenants in my house in Orlando FL. 2 of which are under 21 years of age. They are college kids and like to drink and party. I don't mind this as I am 24 years old myself. I do live in the house. Here's my biggest worry, That they will get caught under age drinking or there friends will. Some of there friends are even under 18 years of age. Someone told me that since i do live in the house and am the owner of it, that all the liability is on me and not my tenants. I made them all sign a lease and something i wrote up stating that I the landlord will not allow underage drinking and they are taking responsibility for themselves and there friends and there actions. I do work nights and a lot of times i come home at 2am and there are 30 people in my house drinking, nothing i can do about it. What happens if someone gets caught drinking that's 19years old in my house? what happens if someone gets caught drinking that's a minor like 17 years of age? and are there any legal documents i can get that would make me not responsible for them or there friend?


Asked on 8/26/10, 10:00 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Shelly Schellenberg MI & FL private practice

A smart man would only rent to responsible tenants. It sounds as if you and all these people live together, and not in a multiple family property divided into separate units or apartments. You know that illegal activity is taking place in your property. If two drunks start a fight, and a neighbor calls the police, they will want to hold you responsible as the property owner. If some kid gets into a car wreck after drinking at your house, the injured parties' attorneys will go after whoever has the deepest pockets. This would be you, if you have any assets (bank accounts, car, boat, truck, equipment, tools, insurance, equity in the property, 401K) If you have no money or assets, then maybe you aren't worried about this happening. On the other hand, why would you want to enable underaged drinking and live in a crazy house? You are sitting on a time bomb.

Read more
Answered on 9/01/10, 6:43 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Florida