A single mother received a notice from her landlord of three years stating that her upcoming lease renewal was denied due to alleged uncleanliness and smoking in her Section 8 housing unit.

This came as a shock. She is a non-smoker and had passed previous inspections without any mention of violations or uncleanliness. She was also served a notice to vacate the unit by her landlord but never received the required 7-day notice of non-compliance.

Having experienced homelessness in the past, our client was determined to keep her family secure. That’s when she reached out to Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) for help fighting these wrongful claims. 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.

FRLS issued a demand letter explaining that the notice lacked the evidence required by Florida law and raised concerns that the landlord’s actions could constitute discrimination. As a result, the landlord reversed their decision and allowed our client to renew her lease.

For this single mom, the outcome meant far more than another year in her apartment. It protected her family from homelessness and upheld her right to fair treatment under the law. If you find yourself in a similar situation, please contact 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.