Tampa & Sarasota Florida Real Estate Lawyer and Estate Planning Attorney
Call Us: (813) 314-2475
Call Us: (813) 314-2475
Landlord/Tenant Attorney, Tampa FL
Landlord/Tenant Law encompasses most of our cases, both inside of court and outside. We represent both Landlords and Tenants in Commercial and Residential Disputes and Evictions. With over 16 years experience in the Tampa Bay, our Landlord/Tenant Attorney is ready to fight for you!
Tampa Landlord/Tenant Lawyers
Landlords (Commercial & Residential )
Landlords (Commercial & Residential )
Landlords (Commercial & Residential )
New Lease Agreements, Tenant Non-Compliance Notices, Delinquent Rent Notices, Evictions, Etc. Learn more before your free consultation with our landlord/tenant Attorney.
Tenants (Commercial & Residential)
Landlords (Commercial & Residential )
Landlords (Commercial & Residential )
Lease & Maintenance Disputes, Evictions, Deposit Disputes, Code Enforcement Violations, HOA Disputes, Etc. Learn more before your free consultation with our landlord/tenant Lawyer.
Commercial & Residential Landlords
Maintain your profitability and streamline your legal processes.
Whether you are a business or an individual, if you are operating as a landlord, it is imperative that you have a working relationship with an attorney. Florida Law is very complex when it comes to Landlord/Tenant issues and a simple mistake could cost you dearly..
Landlords must follow strict laws when it comes to security deposits, official notices and legal actions, including evictions. A savvy landlord should always have a Landlord/Tenant Aatorney on retainer, so that if any issues arise, they can be dealt with promptly.
If you are a landlord, you should seek legal advice about your lease, potential liabilities and courses of action for problematic tenants as soon as they arise. Florida law provides for attorney's fees and court costs to the prevailing party in most landlord/tenant actions, so you have a financial incentive to seek legal representation. There are four main reasons why landlords consult with a Landlord/Tenant Attorney:
- Drafting of New Lease Agreements
- Tenant Non-Compliance Notices
- Delinquent Rent Notices
- Evictions
- Code Enforcement Issues
Call our office today at (813) 314-2475 to schedule your free initial consultation and speak with an experienced Landlord/Tenant Attorney.
Eviction companies vs an Attorney
An Eviction Lawyer can move to obtain a monetary Judgment or what is called Count II of the Complaint for Eviction. Non-lawyer Eviction Companies cannot do that. They only obtain a Judgment for Count I of the Complaint for Eviction, which is for the Writ of Possession for the property. So, if you need to go after the tenants for any monies, you will most likely need a landlord/tenant attorney to represent you.
Commercial & Residential Tenants
Tenant's Rights and Tenant Representation
We are one of few real estate law firms that represent commercial and residential tenants in the Tampa bay area, as well as landlords. Although most of our clients' problems have to do with maintenance (or lack thereof), we have seen every kind of landlord/tenant dispute you can imagine. From maintenance issues to lease and code enforcement disputes we handle every type of case that tenants have.
For tenants, the most common calls and inquiries we receive every day are either for maintenance issues or unreturned deposits. Some of the types of cases we handle for tenants are:
- Association Harassment - Is the HOA or COA (Homeowners Association or Condo Association) that governs your residence making unreasonable demands of you as a tenant? Association love picking on tenants for some reason? A lawyer on your side can make a huge difference in how you are treated by the association. A simple cease and desist letter from a reputable landlord/tenant attorney may very well get the association permanently off of your back.
- Claims of non-compliance by Landlord - If your landlord claims non-compliance by you, the tenant, according to the terms of a lease agreement, they may have a claim for eviction against you. If you receive a notice of non-compliance you should immediately seek the advice of a landlord/tenant attorney.
- Code Enforcement Issues - Did you report your landlord to the county housing code enforcement division, only to suffer landlord retaliation. We may be able to help you. Please call our office at (813)314-2475 to schedule a free initial consultation to speak with a landlord/tenant lawyer.
- Deposit Disputes - Did your landlord withhold too much of your deposit? Were you charged for nominal wear and tear, for which the landlord should have been responsible? Were you sent the proper notification regarding the withholding of your deposit? Was it sent to you within 30 days of your move-out date? We may be able to assist you in the recovery of your deposit if the charges were improper or if the notice was not sent, or not sent out within the time prescribed under Florida law. Please call our office at (813) 314-2475 to schedule a free initial consultation to speak with a landlord/tenant attorney.
- Evictions - If you are served with an eviction you should seek legal advice right away. We can defend your eviction, and if you prevail in court, your landlord will have to pay for all of your attorneys fees and costs. The prevailing party in an eviction action is awarded attorneys fees and costs in most cases, as a statutory right.
- Illegal Detainers - This is a legal action to remove a non-tenant co-inhabitant who is not paying rent, nor ever agreed to pay rent. Do you have a friend who won't leave your home? We can get that pesky roommate out of your home for good.
- Improper shut off of utilities - Florida law provides for triple damages for improper shutting off of any utility. This means that if the landlord knowingly or unknowingly is responsible for the shutting off of a power, water or gas utility, you will be entitled to three times the monthly rent by your landlord. Don't let your landlord bully you but seek the advice of a landlord/tenant attorney.
- Landlord Harassment - Does your landlord harass you about paying the rent, outside of normal official notifications? You should only receive notices through the mail or posted on the property. Your landlord should not be texting or calling you for payment.
- Lease Agreements (Drafting) - We draft lease agreements for tenants to supply to landlords who have never used one, for the protection and security of the tenants.
- Lease Agreement (Review & Analysis) - Having a Real Estate and Contracts Lawyer review your lease agreement prior to execution is a great idea. We can help you avoid issues before they arise by advising you of your renter's rights ahead of time, before you sign the lease agreement.
- Maintenance Disputes - If your landlord is not making adequate efforts to maintain the property you are renting we can assist you by sending the proper notification to the landlord, which will allow you to either withhold rent or terminate your tenancy without any penalty. Using this approach will ensure that you maintain a claim to your deposit and avoid any penalties from breaking the lease. This is the most common demand letter we prepare and most frequently results in an immediate resolution of the dispute.
- Roommate disputes - Disputes between roommates or co-inhabitants under a joint lease agreement are very difficult to handle. The landlord will usually refuse to get involved and an all tenants are equally liable under the lease.
- Unreasonable landlord - Does your landlord provide you with adequate notice for inspections and/or a walk through? Is your landlord preventing you from quiet enjoyment of the property? Some landlords don't understand the social boundaries of being a landlord. We may be able to solve that problem with a simple demand letter. A Landlord who doesn't abide by the lease agreement or displays unprofessional behavior is not only bad for their own business but a serious liability to their bottom line. We have seen landlords pay dearly for some past unprofessional behavior.
Non-refunded deposits and maintenance disputes are the most common cases that we litigate. Do you fear retaliation for calling code enforcement against your landlord? We have other ways of getting your landlord to uphold their end of the bargain.
Florida Law provides that court costs and attorney fees be paid to the prevailing party in several instances. If you have a dispute with your landlord please call our office at (813) 314-2475 to obtain a quote and schedule a free initial consultation with a Landlord/Tenant Attorney, and learn what your legal rights are.
How does an Eviction work in Florida?
Here are the main steps needed to evict a tenant in Florida:
1. Landlord must serve or post a Three Day Notice To Pay or Vacate
2. Landlord must serve or post complaint
3. Landlord will obtain a default if possible
4. Landlord will obtain a Judgment as to counts 1 (possession) and 2 (accounting)
5. Landlord must obtain a Writ of Possession from the Judge
6. Landlord must send Writ of Possession to Sheriff for service
7. Sheriff must post Writ of Possession on property
8. Sheriff returns for final walk through and/or removal after 24-72 hours
If you are served with an eviction:
Step 1. Call us at (813) 314-2475 or kindly fill out our contact form below to schedule a free consultation with a Landlord/Tenant Attorney and to learn what your legal rights and/or legal defenses are.
What is the eviction process in Florida with children?
It is exactly the same process as it applies to any other tenancy. Evictions do not have any special accommodations for families with children. For more information on evictions please call our office at (813) 314-2475 or kindly submit your information to us via the contact form at the bottom of this page. We offer free initial consultations!
What is the eviction process in Florida for disabled veterans?
It is exactly the same process as it applies to any other tenancy. Evictions do not have any special accommodations for people with disabilities, including veterans. For more information on evictions please call our office at (813) 314-2475 or kindly submit your information to us via the contact form at the bottom of this page. We offer free initial consultations!