Tenant Illegal Activities

As a landlord, it can be very frustrating to find out that a tenant has been engaging in illegal activities in your property. Not only can it put your property at risk, but it can also cause legal trouble for you as the property owner. If you’re a landlord dealing with tenant illegal activities in Florida, it’s important to take action fast to protect your investment.

Flaxman Law Group is a family law firm with offices in Miami, Homestead, and Hollywood. We offer consultation to landlords dealing with a difficult property issue, because we want to make it easy for you to speak to a landlord-tenant dispute attorney when you need one. Contact us today if you’re engaged with a landlord-tenant problem so we can set up your no obligation case consultation.

Illegal activities can take many forms and can include any of the following situations at your rental property:

• Drug manufacturing
• Prostitution
• Gambling
• Sale of stolen goods
• Theft
• Breaking and entering
• Counterfeiting
• Terrorist activities

You may be able to reduce the risk of these activities by screening potential tenants carefully. You will also want to keep an eye on your properties to make sure you don’t see any signs of lawbreaking. Regular inspections can help.

A strong lease agreement—one that clearly states that tenant illegal actvities are a cause for termination of the lease—can also work to protect your property. You can work with an experienced attorney to create a lease agreement designed to stand up in court.

As a landlord, you have the right to protect your property from illegal activities. If you suspect that your tenant is engaging in illegal activities, you have the right to take the following actions:

• Notify law enforcement. If you suspect that illegal activities are taking place on your property, contact law enforcement immediately. You can also request that law enforcement conduct a search of the property if you have reason to believe that illegal activities are taking place.
• Terminate the lease agreement. If you find out that your tenant is engaging in illegal activities, you have the right to terminate the lease agreement. However, you must follow the legal eviction process to do so, and you may want to consult with a landlord-tenant dispute attorney first, to make sure you’re fully compliant during the eviction process.
• Seek damages. If your tenant has caused damage to the property or has caused other financial harm because of their illegal activities, you may be able to seek damages in court. This can include the cost of repairs, lost rental income, and legal fees.

Tenant illegal actvities in Florida unfortunately do happen in Miami, Homestead, and across the state. They go beyond disorderly conduct and actually involve breaking the law. They affect not only communities, but also the landlords who own the properties, neighbors, and more. Once a tenant starts to break the law at your rental property, the situation can quickly spiral out of control. The hard-earned reputation of your rentals may plummet, you may have a harder time attracting quality tenants, you may lose money due to tenants moving out, and someone can even be hurt on your property due to the criminal activity.

If you suspect a tenant is committing crimes at your rental property, contact an experienced Florida landlord-tenant dispute lawyer. An attorney can explain your rights and the steps you can take to protect yourself. He or she may also be able to take steps to minimize the risks associated with illegal activities in your Florida rental property.

If you need assistance dealing with a tenant who is engaging in illegal activities, contact the Hollywood, Homestead, and Miami offices of Flaxman Law Group. You can reach us 24/7 at 866-352-9626 or contact us online to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a landlord-tenant dispute lawyer.