Our client found herself living in unsafe conditions after the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Ian. The roof of her apartment had been leaking since the storm, and despite repeatedly notifying her landlord, no repairs were made. When code enforcement inspected the unit, they confirmed the roof was structurally unsafe and could collapse.

Unable to live under such conditions, she withheld rent while searching for a safer place to move. In response, her landlord served her with an eviction notice. Unsure of her rights, she reached out to Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) for guidance.

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.

Our team explained that although she had valid concerns about the unit’s condition, Florida law requires tenants to deposit withheld rent into the court registry to obtain a hearing.

With the help of a FRLS attorney, she prepared an answer to the eviction, along with a motion to determine rent and a motion to dismiss. Once both parties reached a written and signed agreement, the eviction case was dismissed.

This outcome allowed our client to move forward without an eviction on her record, an important protection when searching for new housing.

Disaster legal services play a crucial role in ensuring tenants are not forced to live in unsafe conditions after storms. FRLS continues to help residents navigate landlord‑tenant disputes, insurance issues, FEMA benefits, and more. Apply for assistance at FRLS.org or call 1‑888‑582‑3410.