Florida Real Estate Lawyers
Q: in Florida, that is. I recently had a problem with my tenants refusing to pay rent because of a problem with rats (we worked things out and I think the rat problem is under control), but I looked it up and could not find where the tenant has the right to hold the rent money back. (s. 83.51 of the Florida Statues). What advise can I give them if this ever happens to them in another place? . And FWIW, I also learned that you can't put any clause in a lease agreement which supersedes the tenants rights, such as "you agree to forfeit your tenants rights if rent is not paid by...". Comments?
A: Were you refusing to deal with the rat problem? If so, for what period of time since you became aware of the problem? It would seem that the local health department may have had something to say there due to the likely building code violations and laws regarding health and sanitation. Did the tenants hold you to task on that one? Why haven't you consulted a Florida real estate attorney?