Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Clearwater

Find the right Tenant attorney in Clearwater, FL

Tenant Law in Florida

The relationship between a landlord and tenant in Clearwater, Florida can sometimes be a touchy one. Landlords and tenants are not always clear on their respective rights and responsibilities.

There are many rights and responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. It's important that each party is aware of their rights, and the rights of the other party. By knowing and respecting these rights, the risk of conflict should be reduced dramatically.

Landlord's Rights in Clearwater, FL

Landlords are, of course, entitled to collect rent from their tenants. If a tenant fails to pay the agreed-upon rent, the landlord is normally able to evict the tenant without too much trouble, though the process can sometimes get fairly complicated.

Landlords also have a right to be compensated for damage to the building that a tenant causes, either intentionally or negligently. Any damage caused by a tenant, besides reasonable wear and tear, can be billed, and the landlord can deduct from the tenant's security deposit to pay for repairs.

Tenant's Rights in Clearwater, FL

Most basically, tenants have a right to get what they're paying for: a dwelling fit for human habitation. To this end, landlords have to ensure that the units they rent meet Clearwater, Florida's minimum standards for habitability. These requirements are typicallyy not difficult to meet. They include basic amenities such as running water, electricity, a working phone line, heating, and protection from the elements.

In addition to habitable living spaces, tenants also have a right to reasonably safe common areas. Common areas include lobbies, hallways, and stairwells - basically anything that everyone living in an apartment complex has access to. These common areas must meet the building standards of Clearwater, Florida, and must not contain any unnecessary safety hazards.

In the United States, and most likely under the statutes of Florida, it is unlawful for renters or sellers of real estate to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, color, or religion. Doing so can subject a landlord to harsh civil penalties. Additionally, they cannot discriminate based on physical disabilities, either. Tenants with physical disabilities, who are otherwise qualified to rent an apartment (they are able to pay, have good credit, etc.) are entitled to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible to them, and the landlord generally can't bar a tenant from doing this, as long as the modifications are not too extensive, and are reversible. The landlord can, however, require the tenant to remove the modifications, at the tenant's expense, when they move out.

Tenants are also legally protected from unfair eviction. Before a lease agreement expires, landlords cannot evict tenants unless they breach as significant term of the agreement by not paying rent, causing serious damage to the property, engaging in activities that are a nuisance to the other tenants, or engaging in illegal activity on the property, among other things.

Can a Clearwater, Florida Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants generally want to avoid conflict with one another. However, conflicts are sometimes unavoidable. If you end up in a major dispute with a landlord or a tenant, a knowledgeable Clearwater, Florida landlord/tenant attorney can help.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Clearwater

Clearwater, Florida is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, of which it is the county seat. It is west of Tampa and north of St. Petersburg. It has a population of about 108,000 people.

Clearwater can trace its modern history back to 1835, when the Army established a military outpost there to fight the Seminole Wars.

Presently, Clearwater, Florida is a largely residential community. It is also known for being home to the spiritual headquarters of the Church of Scientology. While the group is controversial, its presence in Clearwater, Florida injects about 150 million dollars into the local economy each year. Because of the many legal disputes they get into, they also probably contribute to the business of several Clearwater, Florida attorneys.

If you live in Clearwater, Florida, and need an attorney, chances are good that a Clearwater, Florida lawyer can help you with whatever your legal issue might be.

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