What Can a Tenant Do if a Rental Property has No Working Kitchen
A tenant in Florida had the upper cabinets in the kitchen fall off of the wall, and upon investigation it was found that the home had a severe termite infestation. The landlord has essentially gutted the kitchen, and the tenant has now had no kitchen for a month. No repairs are presently underway, and the tenant has no information about when he will again have a kitchen. What are the tenant's legal options?
Re: What Can a Tenant Do if a Rental Property has No Working Kitchen
Under those facts, the tenant should consider availing himself of his rights under Florida Statutes, Sec. 83.56, to terminate the lease based upon the unit's not being legally habitable. It is important to follow the procedure set forth in that statute to the letter.
Before sending any legal notices, the tenant could simply ask to be released from the lease -- if that's an acceptable resolution. If the landlord agrees in writing, then the tenant can move somewhere else and put this unfortunate incident into the past.