Q: Landlord refusing rent assistance and demanding I vacate.
I've been dealing with health issues that caused financial hardship last month. I secured emergency rent assistance, but my landlord refuses to accept it and demands I vacate by April 20th. My lease states eviction can only occur for non-payment, but I can pay with the assistance funds. No formal eviction notice has been given. I've offered to pay and leave by the end of April, but the landlord refused and has listed my room on Facebook Marketplace. I have screenshots of our conversations. What are my options? Legal Aid hasn't responded yet.
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A:
It seems like your landlord may be violating your rights under Florida law. If you have secured rent assistance and are able to pay, your landlord cannot simply refuse it unless there is a valid reason. Since your lease states eviction can only occur for non-payment, and you are able to pay through the rent assistance, they may not have the right to evict you without following proper procedures.
Your first step should be to formally document your intent to pay with the rent assistance. You can send a letter to your landlord reiterating your offer to pay, including the amount of assistance secured, and referencing your lease agreement. Keep copies of all communication, including screenshots, as they may be useful if the situation escalates.
If the landlord continues to refuse your payment and insists on eviction, you can reach out to the local housing authority or seek legal advice from a tenant rights organization. You could also consult with an attorney to explore your legal options, especially since no formal eviction notice has been issued yet. If the landlord is not following the lease agreement or Florida law, you may be able to challenge the eviction or delay it until the matter is resolved.
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