Category Archives: Landlord Tenant Litigation
How Can Florida Landlords Make Living Spaces Habitable?
All landlords in Florida must comply with the law of habitability. In other words, a landlord has an obligation to make living spaces habitable before a tenant moves in. Unfortunately, many landlords do not know what makes a living space “habitable” and thus fail to comply with all reasonable provisions required by building, housing,… Read More »
July Rent Payment and COVID-19: Can Landlords Evict Tenants in Florida?
After Gov. Ron DeSantis extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until July 1, many landlords and tenants alike are wondering, “Is rent due on July 1 or can a tenant get an extension?” and “Can landlords evict tenants if no payment is made after the moratorium is lifted?” While Florida’s statewide mortgage foreclosure… Read More »
Precautions for Commercial Landlords When Reopening in the Wake of COVID-19
As businesses are slowly reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and companies are returning to their physical office space, commercial landlords must consider adopting precautions to minimize exposure to the virus and reduce the risk of landlord-tenant disputes or litigation. The article outlines the precautions that landlords of commercial office buildings might… Read More »
On-Time Rent Payments Fell in Florida in the First Month of May—How Commercial Landlords Can Protect their Rights
Beyond being a serious public health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a considerable economic toll on our region. Many individuals and businesses have seen a disruption in their income. Unfortunately, this is creating a problem for both commercial and residential tenants. According to a report from the Sun Sentinel, only 85.5 percent of… Read More »
Four Tips for Negotiating a Commercial Lease Restructuring
The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting virtually every community in our region. To control the transmission of the respiratory disease, state and local officials have restricted many non essential activities. Unfortunately, this has caused serious financial distress to many businesses in South Florida. As a consequence, some companies find themselves stuck in a commercial lease… Read More »
Landlords vs. Tenants: Can You Break Your Lease Early Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Many people who were affected by the coronavirus crisis are trying to break their rental leases. Most of them are trying to get out of their lease due to their inability to afford rent, while others are doing so for health reasons. Given that nearly 50% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, the COVID-19… Read More »
5 Considerations for Landlords During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Business closures and disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have forced commercial real estate landlords and tenants to make tough decisions to ease the economic burden of the crisis. Florida’s stay-at-home order has brought mandatory closures, which prompted many tenants to ask their landlords to lower their rent. Others, meanwhile, refuse to pay rent… Read More »
Three Things Commercial Landlords in Florida Should Know About the CARES Act
On March 27th, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law. The bill contains a wide array of different economic measures that are aimed at helping people and companies get through the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health crisis and the related temporary shutdown of businesses. For commercial landlords… Read More »
Can You Refuse to Pay Rent During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Nearly half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and a staggering 42% say their most significant personal finance resource is their spouse or family member. For millions of Americans, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has taken away the ability to earn a living and keep roofs over their heads. With or without the stimulus check… Read More »
Can You Stop Paying Rent if the Landlord Does Not Make Necessary Repairs?
In other words, do you still have to pay rent if your landlord fails to make needed repairs in the rental home or apartment? Florida law requires landlords to follow a variety of building, housing, and safety laws. Rules and regulations regarding housing conditions in rental properties depend on city or county codes. Also,… Read More »
