Frustrated in Florida: Rent Increases, Maintenance Decreases in Melbourne

Our community trash can by the mail boxesPhoto byLisa S Gerard

Disclaimer: This article was written from my personal experience and is an ongoing debacle.

My one-year lease is up soon. My hunt for a forever home in Brevard County needs more time. Unfortunately, there's no alternative but to sign a month-to-month contract for an apartment I've come to despise.

The rent will be raised for this pleasure.

I won't benefit from any upgrades for my money - the water in my grandson's bathroom remains shut off due to the constant reactivation of our plumbing when a tenant upstairs uses their bathroom.

I had no choice but to turn it off.

After their second visit, I stopped contacting maintenance for them to adjust the chain, which had nothing to do with the issue.

So much for renting a 3 bed 2 bath place.

The icemaker? Only drops ice and refills the tray if I manually coax the lever into place to let it know the bin isn't full. I hip-check the dishwasher to insist the connection is made so I can run it.

None of the cabinet doors or drawers align and the hardware barely holds on. Ceiling fans were never replaced in two of the bedrooms. Flush-mounted globes are there to illuminate the stray mosquitos.

My hallway smelled awful while the toilet paper soaked there for hoursPhoto byLisa S Gerard, author

I'm not clear on what transpired in my hallway but it smelled pet-related. Finishing the "job" took all day of ignoring because the 'who cares?' mentality runs rampant here.

The overflowing trash at the mailboxes spills out into the wind. They get to it when they get to it, even a day or so after the cans have maxed out. The owners are to blame. Unfortunately, maintenance will only do what's required.

If the big bosses turn a blind eye, and disregard my polite and questioning emails, the system breaks down. It is broken.

The long-term tenants reminisce about the long-lost beauty. New owners took possession two years before I arrived. It's obvious to everyone that the new owners have very different priorities that don't involve the renters' quality of living.

My rent will increase as my battle-weary decrepit apartment hobbles on its last legs. More money for less.

Another day, another elevator outPhoto byLisa S Gerard

Rent control is a government regulation to place limits on landlords' rent increases within a specific time frame. Florida does not have statewide rent control laws. Florida landlords are free to raise rent as they see fit.

Rent increases are common upon expiration of a current lease and if the tenant (me) opts to extend their stay and sign for a month-to-month basis.

There was a glimmer of hope with legislation to control landlords' rent increases to no more than 30% over 12 months. The latest report shows it has not been successful.

Florida House Bill 31:

Florida Senate House Bill 31Photo byauthor screenshot

Landlords do have legal responsibilities. The following list indicates what they are responsible for keeping in good working order or condition:

• Plumbing.
• Locks.
• Heating (in winter).
• Hot water.
• Exterior garbage containers.
• Common areas.
• Anything impacting health, safety, or habitability.

"Good working order" is subjective. Yes, technically, everything works but not to the level of what my rent should easily cover.

Florida tenants have avenues of recourse. Withholding rent is not one of them. Nor are we allowed to hire an outside contractor to make repairs and deduct the expense from our rent.

The Florida Bar offers insight into the legal responsibilities of a landlord.

"The landlord is required to rent a dwelling that is fit to be lived in. It must have working plumbing, hot water and heating, be structurally sound and have reasonable security, including working and locking doors and windows, and it must be free of pests."

The landlord also must comply with local health, building, and safety codes.

The rights of a tenant are specified in the Florida Statutes in Part II, Chapter 83, and you can refer to the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act.

Rights and Duties of Tenants

Rights and Duties of Landlords

Looks like my hunt for a forever home is now on a fast track. I deserve better - all the tenants here do.

I do love FloridaPhoto byDone By AlexonUnsplash

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Sources:
Montgomery Business Scene
iProperty Management
The Florida Bar