QUESTION
How can I best win my case against my landlord for non-payment of rent in Florida?
Asked on Dec 23rd, 2023 on Landlord and Tenant Law - Florida
More details to this question:
I refuse to pay rent on the last month of my oral lease because landlord/housemate has violated the terms for the past three months: placed camera on the kitchen to surveil my activities, locked the laundry room, charged me electricity and water, changed the locks, shut off the A/C, etc. ALL of this goes against our agreement. I don't feel I'm in the wrong, and would like to prepare a good written argument to respond in the lawsuit. I can't afford a lawyer due to all the costs associated with moving, which I'm in the process of. I immensely appreciate any advice. Thanks, and happy holidays!
1 ANSWER
Consumer Debt Collector Harassment & Abuse Attorney serving Tampa, FL
Partner at
Tischhauser Law Group
2 Awards
You won't. Your non-payment of rent is likely in violation of Fla. Stat. 83.60 and Fla. Stat. 56(3). None of what you described would support witholding rent. That said, if you are looking for a lawyer to "do lawyer work" like set out a "good written argument" to try to overcome those issues, you will have to plan to PAY and HIRE a lawyer for that. Thats what lawyers do for a living. That said, if you qualify, you can try local legal aid to see if they can help you, but be prepared to be told that you wrongfully withheld rent and are subject to eviction if the LL did his part properly. That aside, if the LL "changed the locks" to lock you out of the property without a writ of possession being issued, you might have a remedy under Fla. Stat. 83.67. It won't stop an eviction nbut you might be entitled to seek damages.
Answered on Dec 29th, 2023 at 1:04 PM
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