Landlord Compliance

Landlords must comply with all Federal and State Housing Laws

- Civil rights act of 1866
- Civil rights act of 1968
- Fair housing laws
- Americans with disabilities act
- Florida landlord and tenant act

Security Deposits and Advance Rents

Landlords must account for security deposits and advance rents in 1 of 3 ways…

1) Hold the money in a separate NON-Interest-Bearing Florida bank account
- Landlord may NOT commingle funds into personal account or use any funds until due

2) Hold the money in a separate Interest-Bearing Florida bank account for the benefit of the tenant. In this case, the landlord must pay the tenant at least 75% of the average annual interest rate or 5% per year, whichever the landlord elects.
- Landlord may NOT commingle funds into personal account or use any funds until due

3) Post a surety bond with the clerk of the circuit court in the county in which the rental property is located in the amount of the security deposits and advance rents or $50,000, whichever is less. The landlord must pay the tenant interest on the security deposit or advance rent held on behalf of the tenant at the rate of 5% per year.
- Landlords who choose this method do not have to put the funds into a separate account.

Pet deposits and/or other non-refundable deposits are not covered by these provisions.

Landlord must notify tenant in the lease or within 30 days in writing of which option is chosen.

After the tenant has vacated the premises, Landlord must return deposit within 15 days or notify tenant within 30 days of the landlords intent to claim part or all of the security deposit and the reason for the claim.

Dwellings

Dwellings other than Single Family Homes or Duplex units must provide…

- Pest Control
- Locks and Keys
- Clean and Safe common areas
- Garbage removal and receptacles
- Facilities for Heat, Running water, and Hot Water
- Smoke detectors
- EPA Disclosures

Single Family Homes and Duplex units must provide…

- Smoke detectors
- EPA Disclosures

Landlords must show reasonable efforts to execute repairs within 7 days of tenants written request of violations to Florida’s implied warranty of habitability laws.