Individuals who rent their homes from others have certain rights as renters. These rights are established in Florida law. At the same time, landlords have certain responsibilities to their tenants that they are legally required to uphold.
When a landlord fails in his or her responsibilities or impedes on a renter’s rights and the renter suffers harm as a result, then the renter may be entitled to financial compensation from the landlord for his or her injuries.
The Rental Agreement
When an individual wishes to become a tenant of a rented property, he or she will have to sign a rental agreement. This agreement is a legally binding contract that sets the terms of the rental, including:
- Rent
- Deposits
- Renters’ responsibilities
- Landlords’ responsibilities
- Grounds for eviction
These contracts are important, because they clearly lay out who is responsible for what.
The Renter’s Rights
In the State of Florida, renters have certain rights that extend beyond their written contracts. These rights are:
- The right to report needed repairs
- The right to withhold rent until said repairs are completed
Landlords must observe these rights. Additionally, they must refund security deposits fully if their tenants leave their properties undamaged.
Landlords’ Responsibilities
The landlord is responsible for taking care of all reported repairs. These repairs may include, but are not limited to:
- Leaks
- Door and window damage
- Faulty fixtures
- Electrical problems
When landlords fail to fix these problems and their tenants suffer harm as a result, the renters have the right to sue their landlords for financial compensation.
Contact Us
If your landlord failed to uphold his or her obligations and you suffered harm as a result, you may be able to fight for financial compensation. Contact the Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers of Salpeter Gitkin, LLP, at 954-467-8622 for more information.
