Residential Eviction Lawyers in Orlando — Helping Landlords Exercise Their Rights
Florida has among the highest number of renters of any state in America. Of course, it also has among the highest rent payments in the country. This can sometimes create a perfect storm that requires eviction proceedings, but unpaid rent is far from the only reason a landlord might need to evict. However, this process isn’t always as easy as a property owner might expect. If you need help doing this legally, a residential eviction lawyer in Orlando may be able to help.
At Morey Law Firm, our Florida landlord attorneys have spent years helping our clients secure the best possible outcomes. We know that navigating the legal complexities of landlord-tenant law can be overwhelming, but as a property owner in Florida, you do have rights. Don’t let simple mistakes or constantly evolving statutes put you on the wrong side of the law. If you’re in need of assistance with an eviction, contact our law firm today to schedule a consultation.
When Can You Legally Evict in Florida?
Florida allows landlords to evict tenants with and without cause — but only in certain circumstances for the latter. Evicting someone for cause is the most straightforward scenario. This can happen if a person stops paying rent, commits illegal acts, or engages in actions that are contrary to the lease agreement. Like every eviction in the state, this process must start with a written notice. The notice can be a:
- Three-Day Notice for Rent: This is appropriate when you’re giving someone the chance to pay their rent. The notice provides them three days to pay or “quit” (i.e., vacate the property).
- Seven-Day Notice to Cure: This notice again gives tenants the opportunity to correct an issue. It’s given when violations of the lease are occurring but can be corrected (e.g., subletting the property).
- Seven-Day Unconditional Quit Notice: This notice is given when a violation of the lease has occurred and the landlord provides no opportunity to “cure” the issue. Only certain actions or lease violations allow for this type of eviction.
If this all sounds a bit complicated, that’s because it can be. This is why so many landlords opt to work with a residential eviction lawyer in Orlando. When a tenant engages in behavior that warrants eviction, it’s likely that they’re not going to make the process easy for you. They may even fight back or refuse to leave. You can be ready for these and many other possibilities by scheduling a consultation at Morey Law Firm today.
How Can You Evict Without Cause in Florida?
Contrary to common belief, there are some instances where Florida landlords can evict residential tenants without cause. This means it’s possible to remove someone from a residency even if they’re up to date on rent and have not violated the terms of their lease. However, this cannot be done when a fixed-term agreement is still in effect. If a lease specifically lists an end date to the agreement, tenants cannot be evicted without cause until that date.
If your current landlord-tenant relationship exists on a month-to-month basis, however, it’s not necessary to find cause for an eviction. Landlords merely need to provide a written notice at least 15 days prior to the end of the monthly term. It’s beneficial to give more than a 15-day notice, but this is all that’s legally required under Florida statute. To make sure you’re on the right side of the law, consider contacting a residential eviction attorney in Orlando today.
What if a Florida Tenant Refuses to Leave?
There are a few ways that a tenant may refuse to leave your property. First, they may simply choose to fight the eviction. This is their lawful right to do so. This is a legal process handled by the courts, so a tenant can argue that an eviction is not justified under the law. If they take this route, the courts will decide whether to grant or deny the eviction. If granted, the tenant will hopefully move out as ordered.
A residential eviction attorney in Orlando can help simplify this process. Having legal help becomes even more important, though, if the tenant refuses to leave. This isn’t so much of an issue if an eviction has been granted — since at that point, police can remove the individual from the property. However, things can become more complicated in certain circumstances since an eviction procedure may not be the right approach.
For instance, filing an unlawful detainer might be necessary if no official landlord-tenant relationship exists. This can occur if you’re allowing a family member or friend to stay in the residence without paying rent. You could also find yourself in this situation if a tenant simply refuses to leave after their lease expires — or if you have a squatter. There are several issues that could complicate matters, but a residential eviction lawyer in Orlando can assist.
Contact a Residential Eviction Lawyer in Orlando Today
The landlord-tenant relationship is sometimes a complicated one. In a perfect world, renters would abide by their lease and move out at the appropriate time. Unfortunately, this is far from a perfect world — helping explain why Orange County landlords filed around 40 evictions every day in 2022. If you’ve come to the point where ejecting a tenant is the right decision for you, you need to do it the right way. An Orlando eviction attorney can help.
At Morey Law Firm, we know how much of a headache the eviction process can be. It becomes even more complicated for landlords who don’t have property managers or who rent out multiple residencies. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this process on your own. Our residential eviction lawyers in Orlando can help. Contact us today by calling (407) 426-7222 to schedule a consultation. Let us handle the heavy lifting for you.