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Can a landlord hold a tenants property in lieu of rent and lock tenant out in FloridaWe were initially gone 10 days to take care of my disabled mother who had fallen and broke her hip. We we returned the landlord had changed the locks on the door and could not be located. After several messages left on her voicemail she returned our call and said we weren't getti g our property until rent was paid. This being said after we informed her that my mothers health dictated we must move to the city she lives in. Is this legal, can the landlord withhold our personal property in lieu of rent in Florida? Attorney answers (2)
Reputation Level 14
Answered over 2 years ago.
Family Law Attorney in Jacksonville, FL.
No. you need to look at the Landlord/Tenant Handbook published on the web for Florida. What your landlord did was self help and is not looked upon favorably by the courts. Get an attorney if you can not file the docs mentioned in the handbook. YOu can check with the clerk of court;s office to see if they have the forms available and file while you are there.
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Reputation Level 10
Answered about 2 years ago.
Landlord / Tenant Lawyer in Sanford, FL.
This is self help eviction and illegal in Florida. The lanldord shall be liable for actual and consequential damages or 3 months rent, whichever is greater. It is best to get an attorney to sue the landlord and get damages.
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