What are Grounds for Eviction in Florida?
Owning rental property can be a very lucrative opportunity. Unfortunately, there are times when tenants become a problem and landlords want to evict them. Landlords, though, cannot evict a tenant simply because they are a nuisance or because the landlord has a personal issue with the renter. In Florida, there are very specific grounds for eviction and generally speaking, evicting a tenant without proper grounds has serious consequences. Below, our Tampa evictions lawyer explains the grounds for evicting tenants.
Non-Payment of Rent
The most common ground for evicting a tenant in Florida is the non-payment of rent. If a tenant does not pay their rent by the date specified in the rental agreement or lease, the landlord can issue a three-day notice. The tenant then has three days to either pay the rent or vacate the premises. If the tenant does not take either of these actions, the landlord can then initiate an eviction.
Violation of the Rental Agreement or Lease
Within rental agreements and leases, there are specific terms that both tenants and landlords must adhere to. For example, a rental agreement may prohibit subletting without consent from the landlord, smoking on the property, or pets on the premises. When a tenant violates any term of the lease or rental agreement, the landlord can issue a seven-day notice to remedy the situation. If the tenant does not resolve the issue, the property owner can then proceed with eviction.
Damage to the Rental Property
Normal wear and tear is not grounds to evict a tenant. However, if the tenant damages a rental property to the extent that the property is uninhabitable or lowers the value of the property, it can be grounds to evict. In these instances, the property owner can issue a seven-day unconditional quit notice and the tenant must leave after this time. Unlike with non-payment of rent or lease violations, the tenant does not have an opportunity to repair the damage.
Using the Property for Illegal Activity
When tenants conduct illegal activity on the property, such as selling drugs, it provides landlords with the legal right to evict them. Like with property damage, the landlord has the right to issue a seven-day unconditional quit notice, which does not give the tenant the opportunity to remedy the situation.
Non-Renewal of Lease
In addition to the above grounds for eviction, property owners can also choose not to renew a lease once the agreement expires. Unlike with fault-based evictions, landlords do not have to provide a reason for not renewing the lease. They can simply provide the tenant with reasonable notice, which is dependent on the length of the rental period, and move forward with evicting the tenant.
Our Evictions Lawyer in Tampa Can Help with Your Case
If you are a landlord and need to evict a tenant, our Tampa evictions lawyer can help. At Messina Law Group, P.A., our experienced attorney can guide you through the process so you obtain the best possible outcome. Call us today at (813) 492-7798 or chat with us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Landlord-Tenant-Law-in-Florida
