Under Section 83.595, Florida Statutes, if a Landlord retakes possession of the premises for the account of the Tenant after the Tenant breaches the rental agreement, the Landlord has an obligation of “good faith in attempting to relet the premises.”

The Landlord’s obligation of good faith means

the landlord uses at least the same efforts to relet the premises as were used in the initial rental or at least the same efforts as the landlord uses in attempting to rent other similar rental units but does not require the landlord to give a preference in renting the premises over other vacant dwelling units that the landlord owns or has the responsibility to rent.

If you are a Landlord, you would be well advised to contact a Landlord / Tenant Attorney before choosing to retake possession for account of the Tenant to ensure compliance with for Florida Law.

If you are a Tenant and your Landlord seeking damages from you as a result of your breach of a rental agreement, you would be well advised to contact a Landlord / Tenant Attorney to determine whether you are in fact liable for those alleged damages under Florida Law.

If you have any questions about the Landlord’s obligation of “good faith in attempting to relet the premises,” please do not hesitate to contact my office at (407) 835-8688.

Jaisen J. Stango, Esq.
Landlord / Tenant Attorney

When the Tenant breached the rental agreement and either:

1. the landlord obtained a writ of possession;
2. the tenant surrendered possession; OR
3. the tenant abandoned the premises

the Landlord may:

1. retake possession for his own account (thereby terminating any further liability of the Tenant);
2. retake possession for the account of the Tenant (and holding the Tenant liable for the difference between what the Landlord is owed under the rental agreement and what that Landlord can recover from releasing the premises);
3. do nothing; OR
4. charge the Tenant an early termination fee.

If you are a Landlord, you would be well advised to contact a Landlord / Tenant Attorney BEFORE choosing one of the available remedies provided for under Florida Law to determine which option is best for your current situation and to ensure the proper election of the chosen remedy.

If you are a Tenant and your Landlord is seeking damages from you as a result of your breach of a rental agreement, you would be well advised to contact a Landlord / Tenant Attorney to determine whether you are in fact liable for those alleged damages under Florida Law.

If you have any questions about Landlord / Tenant Law, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (407) 835-8688.

Jaisen J. Stango, Esq.
Landlord / Tenant Attorney