Help
Location:Home >Statutes & Constitution >View Statutes
February 09, 2010
Print This PagePrint This Page
  *
Session:
Bill #:
Session:
Chamber: View Search Tips
Year: View Search Tips
Enter Your Zip+4 Code:
Get detailed information on how to find your Legislator.

go to myflorida.com
go to myfloridahouse.gov
Select Year:
The Florida Statutes

The 2007 Florida Statutes

Title VI
CIVIL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
Chapter 83
LANDLORD AND TENANT
View Entire Chapter
Section 83.51, Florida Statutes 2007

83.51  Landlord's obligation to maintain premises.--

(1)  The landlord at all times during the tenancy shall:

(a)  Comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing, and health codes; or

(b)  Where there are no applicable building, housing, or health codes, maintain the roofs, windows, screens, doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, foundations, and all other structural components in good repair and capable of resisting normal forces and loads and the plumbing in reasonable working condition. However, the landlord shall not be required to maintain a mobile home or other structure owned by the tenant.

The landlord's obligations under this subsection may be altered or modified in writing with respect to a single-family home or duplex.

(2)(a)  Unless otherwise agreed in writing, in addition to the requirements of subsection (1), the landlord of a dwelling unit other than a single-family home or duplex shall, at all times during the tenancy, make reasonable provisions for:

1.  The extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, wood-destroying organisms, and bedbugs. When vacation of the premises is required for such extermination, the landlord shall not be liable for damages but shall abate the rent. The tenant shall be required to temporarily vacate the premises for a period of time not to exceed 4 days, on 7 days' written notice, if necessary, for extermination pursuant to this subparagraph.

2.  Locks and keys.

3.  The clean and safe condition of common areas.

4.  Garbage removal and outside receptacles therefor.

5.  Functioning facilities for heat during winter, running water, and hot water.

(b)  Unless otherwise agreed in writing, at the commencement of the tenancy of a single-family home or duplex, the landlord shall install working smoke detection devices. As used in this paragraph, the term "smoke detection device" means an electrical or battery-operated device which detects visible or invisible particles of combustion and which is listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Factory Mutual Laboratories, Inc., or any other nationally recognized testing laboratory using nationally accepted testing standards.

(c)  Nothing in this part authorizes the tenant to raise a noncompliance by the landlord with this subsection as a defense to an action for possession under s. 83.59.

(d)  This subsection shall not apply to a mobile home owned by a tenant.

(e)  Nothing contained in this subsection prohibits the landlord from providing in the rental agreement that the tenant is obligated to pay costs or charges for garbage removal, water, fuel, or utilities.

(3)  If the duty imposed by subsection (1) is the same or greater than any duty imposed by subsection (2), the landlord's duty is determined by subsection (1).

(4)  The landlord is not responsible to the tenant under this section for conditions created or caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of the tenant, a member of the tenant's family, or other person on the premises with the tenant's consent.

History.--s. 2, ch. 73-330; s. 22, ch. 82-66; s. 4, ch. 87-195; s. 1, ch. 90-133; s. 3, ch. 93-255; s. 444, ch. 95-147; s. 8, ch. 97-95.

Site Map
Session:    Bills ·   Calendars ·   Journals ·   Citator ·   Search ·   Appropriations ·   Redistricting ·   Bill Information Reports
Committees:    Committee Pages ·   Committee Publications
Senators:    President's Page ·   Member Pages ·   District Information ·   Find Your Legislators
Information Center:    Introduction ·   About the Legislature ·   Publications ·   Glossary ·   Frequently Asked Questions ·   Employment ·   Links
Statutes & Constitution:    Introduction ·   View Statutes ·   Search Statutes ·   Constitution ·   Laws of Florida ·   Order
Video Broadcasts
Disclaimer: The information on this system is unverified. The journals or printed bills of the respective chambers should be consulted for official purposes.    Copyright © 2000-2010 State of Florida.    Privacy Statement.     Contact Us.