My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Florida
Our property is a seasonal rental (horse farm) with prime time for marketing being in September & October for the impending winter term of Dec-April. This prime time is over by end of November. Client contacted me in the beginning of October and arranged for his realtor to come view property for him, as he was out of state but wanted to secure a place asap. Realtor approved and I received a text within days saying he would take it, to please send contract and ready property according to his specifications. We require advance payment in full for seasonal rental to hold the property and take off the market. Either we receive one full payment, or two installments; the first with return of signed contract, the second prior to move in. Client paid one installment and texted that he was printing out contract to return, and I in good faith told all other inquiries that the property was spoken for. Since then, I have received nothing. I have repeatedly requested the signed lease be returned over the period of a month and have constantly been told for over a month that "he's working on it" or that he'd get it to me right away. Finally, today I received a text indicating that he no longer wishes to rent the property. What are my rights? It is far too late to remarket or secure another tenant, and he knows this. There was even a clause in the lease stating that due to the limited window of time that we have to market the property, all monies paid are non-refundable. We have already committed to various companies to ready the property for his arrival and to his specifications, and I have numerous texts showing the agreement, intended date, and now his dragging of his heels. Am I able to hold him accountable for the lost rental if he truly backs out, or am I able to enforce the lease that is acknowledged several times via text but not physically returned? Do I hold the security and return the prepaid rental, or the other way around? Will his commitment to the property via text hold up should this escalate to something more? I do not want to burn bridges in our small world industry, but I also cannot afford to take a $55k loss due to a last minute change of mind. Please advise. Thank you.

