What You Should Know About Florida Residential Lease Agreements

What You Should Know About Florida Residential Lease Agreements

Let’s discuss what a Florida residential lease means. A lease agreement in Florida is the contract between the landlord and tenant that defines the duties and responsibilities of each. Understanding the terms of your lease before you sign it can help avoid problems in the future. Below are some things to know before entering into a lease agreement in Florida.

1) Many rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants under a residential Florida residential lease agreement are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. A residential lease agreement in Florida must abide by the terms of this law.

2) Make sure that the property that is being leased is clearly described in the lease agreement. This includes any personal property that is included in the lease.

3) The term or length of the lease should be set out in the agreement, including the dates that the lease begins and ends.

4) The rent and payment section may be the most important part of the FL lease agreement. This section should include the amount of rent to be paid, whether the payments will be made in installments, when each payment is due and the penalties for failing to make the payments when due. It should also include the amount of potential late fees and the amount of the required security deposit, if any.

5) The lease agreement should state which party will be responsible for  making repairs and payment of the utilities and taxes.

6) The lease agreement should also set forth any other agreements between the landlord and tenant regarding the use of the property, like whether pets or smoking are allowed on the premises.

A properly drafted and negotiated Florida residential lease agreement can help avoid disputes between the parties in the future. Our attorneys are experienced in the field of landlord/tenant law and we can help you negotiate a FL lease agreement that’s right for you.