(FLORIDA) – A client in his late sixties had lived at the same affordable rental unit for over a decade. When he decided to move following a rent spike, the client was told that he would receive only a fraction of his initial deposit. After waiting some time, the only thing the
client had received from his landlord was silence.
That’s when he sought free legal counsel at Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS). FRLS is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide.
FRLS’ Migrant Farmworkers Unit intervened to assist the client with this unlawful breach of his rights as a tenant in the state of Florida. Our attorneys quickly discerned that the landlord agency’s decision to retain our client’s security deposit did not abide by Florida law and was thus
not valid.
After a lengthy back-and-forth negotiation process with our client’s landlord, FRLS managed to obtain the full security deposit on behalf of the client. For an elderly individual living on limited income and working in agriculture, the difference of a few hundred dollars was sizable. Fortunately, with the help of our team at FRLS, the client experienced a favorable outcome in an unfortunate dispute with his landlord.
Tenant Rights Come First at FRLS
With housing law matters comprising the vast majority of cases at FRLS, our attorneys are some of Florida’s most steadfast advocates for housing justice.
Every day, our team champions the rights of tenants against unethical landlords, from challenging illegal shutoffs and lockouts to fighting wrongful eviction actions to ensuring clients, like the individual above, are treated fairly and with respect.
If you think your landlord’s actions don’t abide by Florida law, call FRLS today at 1-888-582-3410. If you are a farmworker, call us at 1-855-771-3077.
About Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.