Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida
Real Estate
I am renting a home where the owner committed suicide last month. What generally happens to property when the owner has died and your the renter?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Real Estate
Most standardized residential leases, like the one approved by the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Realtors, include a provision that provides the lease will be binding on the heirs and successors of the Landlord. Meaning, as long as your lease is in good standing, then the decedant's successor (i.e. their spouse, heir or beneficiary under their will) would be bound by your lease.
If there is nothing in the lease binding the successors, or you do not have a signed and valid lease, then I would suggest obtaining a new lease from the successor, or at least have them acknowledge and affirm the original lease.