Can the Landlord do this in Florida?

Question

I live in Florida and need the answers regarding Florida rental laws.

I am renting a two bedroom, two bathroom house. The Owner/Landlord lives in the attached "mother-in-law apt." There are seperate entrances. I have no lease...just verbal.

After moving in, I have been informed by him that we (my husband and myself) are not permitted to use the 2nd bedroom or 2nd bathroom. That he plans on renting that room out also and that person that will also have full use of the kitchen and living room. The jitchen and living room are fully stocked by me and my husband.

My question is: is this legal...can this man actually rent out room in a place I live and expect me to share my furnishings with a stranger. I do on moving as quickly as possible...but I still would like to know if is is legal or not. Also He has been coming into this house when I am not home..no notice given..he just comes in.

Answer 1

Uh, you should leave now.  What if he gets some crazy guy moving in?

Answer 2

Verbal lease?  Your landlord is clearly a fool.  Get out as quick as you can.  The lease protects you and the landlord.  Good luck.

Answer 3

Does your rental agreement say you are renting a 2 bdrm 2 ba house if so then NO he can't just allow someone else to move in.  He should have advised you of his plans before allowing you and your husband to occupy the home.   He needs to give a 24 hour notice before entering the home.  I would suggest moving right away.

Answer 4

verbal agreements are never any good!

Answer 5

I smell a scam......

Answer 6

Although a verbal contract is legally binding in most states, the issue becomes verification.  You have no way to prove that the landlord agreed to rent you the entire GLA (gross living area) of the house.  You would, however, have the right to not allow another person to use furnishings that you own outright; of course, they would have the right to bring their own furnishings in which could make the space unusable.

The entering without notice and while you are not home is definitely not allowed.  This whole situation seems very strange - how is it you were comfortable with this arrangement?  Since you have no written lease, I would move out at the end of the month (since you've already paid for the use of the space) - hopefully you didn't give a security deposit, because you'll never see it back from this shyster...

Answer 7

The problem with verbal agreements, I will assume in the future you will always get it in writing; that said, I would send the landlord a letter stating you disagree with the landlord’s intention to rent out other rooms in the house, that it was your understanding the whole house would be yours, as such you will be moving ASAP.

Not sure how much time it will bide you, but at lease maybe make the landlord slow down

Another avenue maybe to check with your local zoning, my bet the whole set up is not legal, highly doubt the area is zoned multi family, and also under what the landlord is try to do sounds like it would fall under a rooming house situation, which would need to be licensed, so maybe talk to local zoning to file an complaint