Florida Landlord Responsibility Statement

Effective Date: November 1, 2025

Purpose

This Landlord Responsibility Statement sets the obligations and standards that all landlords and property managers must follow when using the Tentunit platform to list and manage rental properties in Florida. By using Tentunit, landlords agree to uphold these responsibilities to ensure a trustworthy, transparent housing environment for student renters and to comply with applicable federal, state, and local law. Nothing here is legal advice; see the References at the end and consult counsel as needed.

Listing Accuracy and Transparency

All Tentunit listings must be complete, current, and truthful. List the exact monthly rent, lease term, earliest availability date, and all required fees (e.g., application fees, security deposit or any fee in lieu of a security deposit, pet deposits, parking, utilities, amenity charges) up front. Photos must reflect the unit as it exists now—no model-unit photos that don’t represent the actual offering and no edits that mislead about size, condition, or finishes. Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA) prohibits unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce, which includes housing advertisements. Federal truth-in-advertising principles require that ads be truthful and not misleading.

You must:

State full pricing and terms: Monthly rent, lease length, required deposits/fees, utility responsibilities, and any one-time or recurring charges (e.g., pest program fee, trash, internet).
Use accurate photos: Show the actual unit and common areas as they truly are today.
Confirm availability: Do not market units that are not truly available. Update promptly if the status changes.
Honor rental listing accuracy: If you provide a paid “rental information list” (a broker practice under Florida law), note that if the list is not current or accurate in any material respect, the fee must be refunded upon demand within the statutory window.

No Misleading or Deceptive Practices

“Bait-and-switch” or similar tactics are strictly prohibited on Tentunit and under FDUTPA. Do not imply amenities or features that do not exist; do not advertise teaser rates that are not actually available; if you use “starting at” pricing, clearly disclose eligibility, timing, and unit availability for that rate. Ads must not omit material facts that would mislead a reasonable renter.

You must:

Describe honestly: Don’t overstate square footage, condition, views, or amenities.
Price honestly: Move-in specials must be genuine and available on stated terms.
Remove inactive units: If the unit is taken or held, mark it accordingly without delay.

Full Disclosure of Policies and Fees

Disclose all relevant policies in the listing and lease. That includes pet and smoking rules, parking policies, guest rules, screening criteria (e.g., income, credit, rental history), required renter’s insurance (if any), deposit amount or fee-in-lieu structure, and all recurring/nonrecurring fees. If utilities are rebilled or allocated, explain the method. Florida law also requires certain statutory disclosures in leases, including the radon gas warning and (effective 2025) flood risk disclosure where applicable.

You must:

Publish screening criteria: Make criteria available up front and enforce them consistently.
Disclose deposits/fees: Security deposit amount or any fee in lieu of security deposit (and the tenant’s statutory options) must be clear.
Include required disclosures: Radon statement; flood-risk disclosure per statute; plus federal lead-based paint for pre-1978 housing.

Timely Communication

Tentunit requires prompt, professional communication with applicants and tenants. Acknowledge messages and maintenance requests within 24 hours (and, in all cases, no later than 48 hours) via Tentunit messaging or another documented channel. Keep prospects informed about application status and keep tenants informed about repairs and scheduled entries. This supports compliance with Florida’s access and repair rules and reduces disputes.

You must:

Triage maintenance quickly, communicate next steps/ETAs, and close the loop in writing.
Stay professional & nondiscriminatory in every interaction (see Fair Housing below).
Keep listings current—availability, rent, amenities, photos, policies must be promptly updated.

Tentunit may suspend or remove listings for repeated failure to communicate or for abusive or discriminatory conduct on-platform.

Fair Housing and Equal Access

All Tentunit landlords must comply with the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Florida Fair Housing Act (Fla. Stat. ch. 760, part II). Florida law prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, in services or facilities, and in advertising based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. (HUD interprets “sex” to include sexual orientation and gender identity.) Local ordinances may add categories, and you are responsible for any such local overlays not preempted by state law.

You must:

Avoid discriminatory statements in ads and messages.
Offer reasonable accommodations/modifications for disabilities as required by law.
Apply neutral, consistently enforced screening criteria to all applicants.

State preemption note. Florida law now preempts local regulation of residential tenancies in many areas; landlords must follow state law and may not face certain local rules that conflict with state statutes. (Preemption does not eliminate fair-housing obligations.)

Rent Collection and Payment Structure

Tentunit collects rent on your behalf, deducts authorized platform service and payment-processing fees, and disburses net proceeds per Tentunit’s Payment Terms. Fees and payout timelines may vary by jurisdiction and product features. Tentunit may pause or hold funds during disputes or suspected violations, consistent with law and our policies.

Key points:

Collection & fees: Rent is processed through Tentunit; platform and processing fees are automatically deducted.
Payout schedule: Net proceeds transfer per the Payment Terms.
Late fees: Florida has no specific statutory cap; fees must be reasonable and set in the lease.
Rent control: Florida law preempts local rent control measures. Pricing must still comply with fair-housing and advertising laws.

Property Condition and Maintenance

Florida landlords must comply with building, housing, and health codes. If no applicable code, the landlord must maintain the roof, windows, doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, foundations, and all other structural components in good repair and capable of resisting normal forces and loads; keep plumbing in reasonable working condition; and, in apartments/duplexes/multiplexes, make reasonable provisions for extermination of pests and bedbugs. Smoke detectors and (where applicable) carbon monoxide alarms must be installed per state building/fire rules.

Pest control entry: Landlords may require tenants to temporarily vacate for up to 4 days for extermination with 7 days’ written notice, and rent must be abated for such time.

Maintenance and Repairs

Upon proper notice of a condition materially affecting health or safety, landlords must repair within a reasonable time. If not remedied after the statutory notice, tenants may have remedies under §83.56 (rent reduction or termination, depending on severity). Retaliation for good-faith complaints is prohibited.

You must:

Provide clear repair request channels (Tentunit portal preferred).
Document notices, scheduling, and completion of repairs.
Prioritize emergencies (e.g., inoperable essential services, sewage backups).

Lease Terms: Utilities and Services

Spell out who pays what (electric, gas, water/sewer, trash, internet, cable) and explain any master-meter, submeter, or allocation method. In Florida, landlords may not shut off utilities to force payment or vacancy—this is a prohibited “self-help” practice. Follow any local code requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where applicable.

Inspections and Cleaning Schedules

Florida access rules require reasonable notice and reasonable time for non-emergency entry (for repairs: at least 24 hours’ notice; 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.). Emergencies or necessary protection/preservation of premises allow immediate entry. Include a right-of-entry clause consistent with §83.53 and use Tentunit messaging to document notices. If you provide routine cleaning or maintenance (e.g., corridor cleaning, landscaping), disclose scope and frequency in the lease or house rules.

Emergency Contact Information

At or before lease signing, provide tenants with 24/7 emergency contact details for repairs and safety issues. Florida also requires disclosure of landlord/agent name and address for notices and service of process; keep this updated in the lease or a separate written notice. Tentunit requires you to maintain these details in your listing profile and lease file.

Lease Terms and Legal Compliance

All Florida leases on Tentunit must be written, delivered, and executed through Tentunit’s digital process and honor federal, state, and local requirements.

Florida items to address clearly:

Access: Use §83.53’s standard 24-hour notice for repairs; reasonable time 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; no harassment/abuse of access.
Nonpayment: A 3-day notice (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and court-recognized legal holidays) to pay or vacate is required before filing. Delivery methods must comply with statute.
Tenant noncompliance: 7-day cure notice for curable breaches; 7-day unconditional quit for certain serious or repeat violations.
Periodic tenancies: 30-day notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (updated by 2025 legislation).
Electronic notices: Parties may agree to email delivery of statutory notices if the lease complies with §83.505. Include the required language and mutual consent.
Required disclosures: Radon (§404.056(5)) and flood risk (§83.512) where applicable; and federal lead-based paint for pre-1978 units.
Prohibited self-help: No lockouts, door/lock removals, or utility shutoffs; violations carry statutory penalties.
Retaliation: Prohibited by §83.64.
Servicemembers: Florida and federal law allow early termination in defined circumstances; honor §83.682 and the SCRA.
Rent control: State preemption—local rent control generally not permitted

Move-In and Move-Out Standards

Move-In: Deliver the unit clean, safe, and functional. Test smoke detectors at move-in and document they work; install any required CO alarms where applicable. Provide keys/fobs and ensure security devices and locks function properly. Use Tentunit’s move-in checklist (with photos) signed by both parties at possession.

Move-Out: Offer a pre-move-out walkthrough on request. After surrender, perform a detailed inspection against the move-in checklist with date-stamped photos and documentation for any beyond-wear repairs.

Security Deposit Disclosure and Handling

Tentunit can collect and hold security deposits (or process any fee in lieu of a security deposit) in compliance with Florida law.

Florida deposit rules (high-level):

Where the money goes: Within 30 days of receipt, the landlord must give written notice stating where the deposit is held, whether it is interest-bearing, and other statutory details; specific holding options include a separate non-interest account, an interest-bearing account (with interest handling under statute), or a surety bond.
Return/claim timing:
- If no claim, return the deposit within 15 days after tenancy termination and delivery of possession.
- If making a claim, send written notice of intent to impose a claim by certified mail to the tenant’s last known mailing address (or by email if the lease complies with §83.505) within 30 days after tenancy termination; the tenant has 15 days to object.
Allowed deductions: Unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other amounts authorized by the lease. Normal wear may not be charged.
Transfers: On sale or transfer of the property, follow the statute’s procedures for deposit transfer and notice to the tenant.

Fee-in-lieu option: If you offer a monthly fee in lieu of a security deposit, comply with §83.491—including the tenant’s right to opt out by paying a traditional deposit, the required disclosures, and limits on using fees as damages.

Tentunit process:

We can hold deposits in a custodial account, collect your itemized deductions with proof (photos, invoices), and disburse balances within Florida’s timelines, delivering the statutory notices using the addresses/emails on file.

Documentation & Enforcement: Keep signed checklists, notices, communications, photos, and invoices. Improper withholding or late notices can trigger statutory liabilities (including attorneys’ fees). Tentunit may suspend accounts for noncompliance.

Indemnification and Violations

Indemnification: Landlord shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tentunit, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors from and against all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to the Landlord’s actions or omissions, including (a) breach of this Statement or any Tentunit policy; (b) violation of any law or third-party right; (c) negligence, fraud, or misrepresentation; (d) injury or damage caused by the listing, property, or services; and (e) disputes with tenants or other users.

Platform enforcement: If you violate this Statement or Tentunit policies (including misrepresentation, discrimination, or other prohibited conduct), Tentunit may suspend or terminate your account and remove listings without prior notice or liability. Severe or repeated violations may result in permanent blacklisting. Tentunit may seek injunctive relief and recover costs and fees where permitted. These remedies are cumulative.

References

Florida Landlord-Tenant Act (Residential)—Selected sections: §83.49 (security deposits); §83.51 (landlord maintenance duties); §83.53 (access—24-hour notice for repairs; 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.); §83.56 (termination; 3-day notice for nonpayment; 7-day cure/unconditional quit for noncompliance); §83.57 (notice to terminate periodic tenancies—30-day month-to-month); §83.64 (retaliatory conduct prohibited); §83.67 (prohibited practices: lockouts/utility shutoffs, etc.); §83.505 (electronic delivery of notices); §83.512 (flood-risk disclosure); §83.491 (fee in lieu of security deposit); §83.682 (servicemember termination). Online Sunshine+8Online Sunshine+8Online Sunshine+8
FDUTPA—Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, ch. 501, part II (consumer protection; deceptive advertising prohibited). Online Sunshine
Florida Fair Housing Act—ch. 760, part II; enforcement via Florida Commission on Human Relations; protected classes and advertising prohibitions. Online Sunshine+1
Radon disclosure—§404.056(5): mandatory radon gas warning in residential leases. Online Sunshine
CO alarms—§553.885 (carbon monoxide detection in certain residential occupancies; Building/Fire Code compliance). Florida Department of Health
State preemption—§83.425 (preemption of regulation of residential tenancies; local rent control generally preempted). Online Sunshine
Rental information list refunds—§475.453 (broker-provided rental lists: refund if information is not current/accurate). Online Sunshine