Only one month into her new lease, our client received a vague notice from her landlord telling her to move out of the condo she had rented for 12 years. The notice suggested she was a hoarder and had intentionally damaged the property and used those claims as the reason for the eviction.

She contacted Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) for legal help. FRLS is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide.

After visiting the client's home, FRLS was able to confirm the condo unit was clean, even if a little crowded, and in good condition except for a very recent A/C unit leak, which required the carpet from the hall to be removed.

Our team notified the landlord that FRLS was representing the tenant, the landlord hired an attorney and issued a new Notice to Vacate. We contacted the attorney, explained the true condition of the unit, and clarified that the damage from the recent leak was not intentional. We also told him that our client reported the leak as soon as she noticed it. The attorney then stopped responding, and the landlord began working directly and cooperatively with our client.

FRLS representation prevented the filing of an eviction complaint, initiated the repair of the client's unit, and allowed the client to stay in her unit for the remainder of her lease. FRLS can help clients stay housed and fight unfair evictions. Reach out to us at 1-888-582-3410 or apply online at FRLS.org for help.

About Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS):

Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) is a non-profit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to qualified individuals, families, and vulnerable communities across 13 Florida counties and to farmworkers statewide. Since 1966, FRLS has pursued justice by providing legal services in
housing law, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law, disaster relief, education law, tax advocacy, and more, all at no cost to our clients. FRLS collaborates with community organizations and Pro Bono attorneys to deliver quality advocacy, outreach, and education designed to protect the rights of those in need. For over 50 years, FRLS has been a steadfast advocate for justice. Learn more at www.FRLS.org.