Landlords often face tough decisions with tenants from time to time. One of the hardest and most frustrating experiencing is having to evict a tenant in Florida. Florida landlords will not need to hire an attorney for this process, but there are specific requirements that need to be met for eviction. Chapter 83 of the Florida Statues state how you can evict a tenant for the following:
- Non-payment of rent
- Violation of lease agreements
- Violation of local, state, and federal laws
Grounds for Eviction
A landlord will need to determine if ground exist to evict a tenant. Non-payment of rent is the most common reason to evict a tenant, but there are a handful of other reasons why a tenant is deemed one that needs to be evicted. Did they violate the terms of the lease agreement? Here are some of the most common violations:
- Additional occupants without notifying landlords
- Pets in a no-pet policy property
- Violating the law by selling drugs within the property, or on the property grounds
Those who live in public housing have narrow grounds for eviction. As a landlord or a tenant, it is vital to become familiar with Chapter 83 of the Florida Statues to ensure you are within the legal requirements. Hiring a property management company can provide tremendous benefit when it comes to evictions.
Evidence collection is vital to your case as either the landlord or the tenant. If the case moves to the court, you will want to have evidence to help backup your testimony. Landlords can violate terms of the agreement as easily as a tenant can, so it pays to spend time making sure you can understand the terms of the lease and you are within your legal rights.
Repairs and Maintenance Problems
Another common problem tenants face is dealing with a property that is no up to their standards. Landlords can slack on making sure the property upkeep and maintenance is done. If things are not fixed, tenants are within their legal right to take landlords to court in violation of the terms of the lease. Florida law states that rental property must be habitual and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.
How to Evict a Tenant
Once the decision has been made that the agreement is broken, a landlord needs to send the tenant a warning letter. The main goal with the notice is to inform the tenant without the need to escalate to court. Handling the issue as quickly and amicably as possible will aid in preventing tenant problems.
Following the warning letter, landlords can escalate to the eviction notice. The notice must include a date and time when you expect them to move out. The notice must also be placed on the door of the unit to ensure it has been seen by the tenant. Document this by taking a picture for your records to show it was placed on the door. Once this is done then reach out to a professional eviction attorney to take you through the court filing and proceedings. It will be much faster than trying to figure it out on your own and with an eviction time is of the essence.
Eviction is never an easy process to manage. Keyrenter Fort Lauderdale is here to make your life easier. Our experienced team is familiar with Florida eviction law, and we can provide the stress relief you need when it comes to property management.