Illegal Sublease And Eviction

Summary

Destiny was unknowingly part of an illegal sublease in Florida. The supposed landlord abandoned the property, leaving Destiny to handle utilities and maintenance. The property was later boarded up and her belongings were scattered and stolen. She received eviction notices, but they were addressed to the supposed landlord, not her. She was advised on her rights as a tenant in Florida, including the invalidity of the eviction notices and the potential to sue for damages due to the stolen property. She was also guided to seek legal aid services in her county for further assistance.

Full Conversation

Stolen property and illegal landlord renting to me for *+ years
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Could you please provide more details about the stolen property? Also, could you tell me where this is happening so I can provide information specific to your location?
So code enforcement got involved in my landlord. Got scared I guessed and left.
Hello ****, based on your situation, it seems you may have some legal rights under landlord-tenant laws. Could you please confirm in which state this is happening for more specific advice?
So we were without anybody for a couple months had to put everything in our name.
Hello ****, I understand that this situation is difficult for you. However, I still need to know which state this is happening in to give you the most accurate legal advice. Could you please provide that information?
Cometo find out when did I come home? The house is boarded up and all of my stuff. Including everything in the house is all scattered throughout the driveway in front yard and all of my stuff is stolen.
Hello ****, I understand your frustration. It seems you have a serious issue with your landlord and stolen property. For me to provide accurate legal information, could you please tell me in which state this has occurred?
This was after my * hour shift. I got home around midnight.
****, I truly empathize with your situation. To provide accurate legal information, I still need to know in which state this incident occurred. Could you please share this detail?
Florida
Thank you for providing your location, ****. In Florida, you have certain rights as a tenant. Here's a few:
- Landlords can't forcibly remove you without a court order.
- Landlords are responsible for maintaining the premises.
- You may have a right to withhold rent in certain instances.
Consider seeking legal advice to discuss your options and rights.
Apparently he wasn't the landlord. He was subleasing to us illegally. And the owner didn't know about it.
****, thanks for the information. Even with a sublease, you still have tenant rights. Could you tell me if you had a written agreement with the person who was subleasing the property to you?
Because the property we lived in as a one family home
Hello ****, having a written agreement can help you assert your rights. In Florida, even verbal agreements can be legally binding, but harder to prove. Consider seeking legal representation to help you navigate this complex situation.
I had a month by month.
****, thanks for sharing. A month-to-month agreement is a type of lease which renews automatically every month until either the tenant or landlord terminates it. Did you provide any written notice before leaving or was any eviction notice given to you prior to this incident?
There was some eviction notices, but the last one they posted the same day of. We were taking care of all of them. Because code enforcement was putting them up due to the fact that we had to put all the utilities in our name and get stuff fixed around the house that wasn't up to par.
Hello ****, thank you for sharing. In Florida, landlords must give at least three days' notice prior to filing for eviction. If an eviction was filed without proper notice, it may be considered invalid. It's recommended you seek legal advice to understand your options.
So every time they put one up there he got taken back down
****, thank you for your response. Based on your situation:
- If eviction notices weren't served properly, they may be deemed invalid.
- If you were fulfilling landlord duties, you might have a claim.
- Seek legal counsel to explore your options and protect your rights.
It didn't even have my name on it
****, if the eviction notice didn't have your name on it, it might not be legally binding. Did the eviction notice include the correct property address and the reason for eviction?
Only the Landlord that left us.
****, if the eviction notice didn't include your name, it may not be valid. Do you know if a formal eviction process was initiated by the actual property owner? It's crucial to find out whether there was a court order for eviction.
It's just upsetting because almost all my stuff was stolen. And now I have to start brand new. And it was probably at least a couple grand worth of stuff.
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. In Florida, if your property was stolen due to an unlawful eviction, you could potentially sue the landlord for damages. It's highly recommended you consult with a local attorney to discuss your options.
The property owner initiated one on the landlord but didn't have any of her names on it.
****, if the property owner initiated the eviction but your name wasn't on it, it might not be valid. Could you tell me if you received any official court documents or were served any legal papers regarding this eviction?
Nothing that had our names on it. Everything was in the landlord's name.
****, in Florida, an eviction notice must be properly served to the individual(s) living in the property. If your name wasn't included, this may not be valid. I recommend seeking legal advice to explore your options and rights.
Ok
****, you mentioned your belongings were stolen. If you haven't already, it's crucial to file a report with your local police department. Also, do you have any documentation or photographs of the stolen property? This could be useful in any potential legal proceedings.
Yes, I do but it's not gonna matter cause. I don't have serial numbers for any of it.
****, even without serial numbers, reporting the theft to the police is crucial. It creates an official record and may help in pursuing a legal case against your landlord. Have you considered seeking legal representation for this issue?
Well, that's why I was talking to you. Cause I don't know. I'm just really upset about the whole thing.
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation, ****. Based on what you've told me, it may be beneficial to consult a local attorney. They can provide specific advice and guide you through the process. Legal Aid in Florida may be able to assist.
I had to sleep in my car for 2 days. Just to make sure I could save up money to have a place to stay.
I'm truly sorry for the hardship you're facing, ****. You may qualify for emergency assistance or housing in Florida. Please reach out to local non-profit organizations or a local Department of Social Services for support. It's important to consult with a local attorney to address your legal issues.
After getting kicked out of somewhere that I lived for 4 years because of a lie.
****, I understand your frustration. Based on what you've told me, it's critical that you seek legal advice. Do you need assistance finding a local attorney or legal aid service in Florida?
Yeah, I'm good now I have a place to stay for that safe and I'm OK but it's just all my stuff I got stolen is what really makes me upset.
I'm really sorry to hear about your loss, ****. Reporting the theft to the police and obtaining a copy of the report could be important for any potential legal proceedings. Legal Aid services in Florida may be able to help you recover your losses or seek damages.
But I don't have money to pay for lawyers. That's the problem.
****, I understand your concern. In Florida, there are several legal aid services that provide free or low-cost legal help. Organizations like Florida Legal Services and Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County could be helpful. Please reach out to them for assistance in your situation.
Is there any for joseph county that's where I live in
Yes, ****. In St. Joseph County, Florida, you may contact:

Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc.


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.trls.org

They provide free legal services to eligible low-income individuals.
Hillsborough
Thank you for sharing your location, ****. In Hillsborough County, you can contact Bay Area Legal Services. They provide free legal services to eligible low-income residents. I highly recommend reaching out to them to discuss your situation.
Okay thank you do you have a phone number for them or anything

Bay Area Legal Services


Phone: (*) *-*
Website: www.bals.org
Appreciate u alot
You're welcome, ****. I'm glad I could provide some guidance. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions. Remember, don't lose hope. Legal aid is there to help you. Good luck with your case.