Tampa Evictions Lawyer
In an ideal world, landlords would fulfill their obligations under a lease agreement, while tenants would pay rent on time and meet other contractual duties. Unfortunately, parties on both sides of the equation may need to address eviction issues in the context of residential and commercial leases. There are numerous provisions under Florida’s Landlord Tenant Law that outline the process and legal requirements, but evictions are very different from other types of legal action. Failure to strictly comply with the statutes could cause delays for the landlord, but errors also impact the rights of tenants.
If you are a party to a lease agreement, you need skilled legal representation to assist with bringing an eviction action – or defending one. At the Seward Law Office, P.A., our team has in-depth knowledge of the laws and extensive experience helping clients with lease disputes. Please contact our firm to schedule a consultation with a Tampa evictions lawyer. You can also read on for some general information about the process.
Overview of Florida Eviction Laws
Parties are generally free to include any provisions in a lease, but there is one aspect of the landlord-tenant relationship they cannot change: The process for evictions. Florida statutes will take precedence over contractual terms, and they lay out a detailed process with specific requirements to effect an eviction. The details vary as they pertain to commercial and residential leases, but a landlord will usually take action to force out a tenant who:
- Fails to pay rent on time;
- Does not submit late payment or interest on overdue rent; or
- Refuses to comply with lease terms, such as provisions prohibiting pets or not allowing smoking.
The key with leases is that landlords are prohibited from locking tenants out or resorting to other methods of self-help. Only a successful eviction action, concluding with a court order, can force out a tenant.
Timeline of an Eviction Case
Florida laws are highly protective of tenants in residential leases, which is the reason there are numerous steps a landlord must take to evict. When nonpayment of rent is behind the action, a landlord must provide the tenant with 3 days’ notice to vacate; the notice must be delivered within 7 days for other breaches of the lease. A Tampa evictions attorney can advise you on the details that apply to monthly leases and how to handle a situation where there is no written lease.
In addition, the Seward Law Office, P.A. can assist with:
- Preparing and filing documents to initiate an eviction lawsuit;
- Tenant defenses to eviction, including failure to provide required notices;
- Coordinating physical eviction with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; and
- Other important tasks.
Consult with a Florida Evictions Lawyer About Legal Options
A summary of the laws is useful, but this information should also convince you that solid legal help is essential when dealing with eviction matters. To set up a consultation with an experienced evictions attorney, please contact the Seward Law Office, P.A. at 813-252-6789 or via our website. We can set up a consultation at our offices in Tampa or St. Petersburg, FL.
