Florida Construction Law

Section 83.60, Florida Statutes, requires a tenant to deliver notice of material non-compliance to the Landlord in writing no later than 7 days prior to the withholding of rent.  Therefore, if the withholding is based on a construction defect, the tenant must give written notice prior to nonpayment of rent. Trenton H. Cotney Board Certified in Construction Law Trent Cotney, P.A. 1207 N Franklin St, Ste 222 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 579-3278 www.trentcotney.com

Section 83.60, Florida Statutes provides that a tenant must provide written notice no later than 7 days prior to withholding rent on the basis of a material non-compliance with the lease agreement.  Construction defects fall within this category.  Accordingly, if a landlord has a tenant that refuses to pay rent because of alleged construction deficiencies, Section 83.60 requires that tenant to tender written notice of the defects prior to withholding rent.  Failure to provide the notice results in the tenant being unable to use non-compliance as a defense to possession of the premises by the evicting landlord. Trenton H. Cotney Florida Bar Certified in Construction Law Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. 100 S. Ashley Dr., Suite 1300 Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 229-3333 http://www.glennrasmussen.com