A clear, well-written residential lease or rental agreement is often the key to a successful landlord-tenant relationship. A good agreement outlines the rights and duties of both parties which, in turn, provides them with a measure of security and stability. It also helps to avoid sticky misunderstandings and bitter legal disputes.
On the other hand, a poorly written agreement (for example, one that leaves out important details or allows for flexible interpretation of its terms) may actually jeopardize the interests of either the landlord or the tenant. In this blog, we outline the 4 essential elements of a well-written residential lease agreement.
Terms of Tenancy and Personal Details of the Tenants
A lease agreement should clearly specify the beginning and the end of the tenancy. According to Florida law, early lease termination is possible only under specific circumstances. Therefore, your agreement should state the start and finish dates of the lease term (which typically lasts one year).
During this time, the landlord cannot force the tenant to move out (provided there is no breach of the agreement, such as nonpayment) or raise the rent (unless the agreement specifically provides for such change). On the other hand, the tenant is obligated to pay the full rent for the period specified whether or not they continue to occupy the property for the whole term.
An agreement should also mention personal information for all tenants and the limits on the number of occupants. This will protect the rights of the landlord in two ways. First, the landlord may try to evict the tenant if they allow more people to move in without the landlord’s permission. Second, having the names of all the tenants in writing will allow the landlord to seek payment of rent from any one of the other tenants if any one of them is unable to do so.
Security Deposit
The demands for money for the potential damage caused by the tenant are likely to end in bitter, unproductive arguments unless clear terms regarding a security deposit are included in the agreement. The clause relating to such deposits should clearly state its amount (in Florida, this amount is not specified by the law but landlords usually charge the equivalent of one to two month’s rent), its purpose and use, as well as the time and means of returning it to the tenant.
Terms of Landlord’s Access
The landlord should respect the tenant’s right to privacy. That’s why Florida laws require the landlord to give the tenant reasonable notice before entering the property and stipulate that they must do so only at a reasonable time—typically between 7:30 am and 8:00 pm (except in the event of emergencies). Both the landlord and the tenant may wish to further specify the details of how the landlord will exercise its right to enter the property as well as any potential restrictions on this right.
Other Restrictions
The landlord may have other wishes with regard to the use of the property by the tenant. The landlord may specify whether or not the tenant is allowed to have pets or the extent of changes and modifications to the property, including additions, paint colors, and landscaping. The agreement should contain other specific clauses restricting certain kinds of behavior that could disturb other residents and neighbors. It should also explicitly prohibit any illegal activity.
In the Case of a Dispute, Contact the Landlord’s Advocate
Even with the best lease agreement in place, legal disputes between the landlord and the tenant may still arise. If you are facing a legal issue relating to a tenant’s violation of the lease agreement, or a similar one that concerns the landlord-tenant relationship, you should contact a dedicated Florida eviction attorney.
Attorney Brian Chase has extensive experience in dealing with landlord/tenant disputes and handles eviction cases across all jurisdictions and counties in Florida. Contact Atlas Law without delay and see what the best course of action would be in your case.