My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Florida
Hi, Is a landlord required to have a license to rent an apartment, collect rent and evict?
I am returning as a follow up to all of your amazing advice on my previous post: http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187927
I have been holding up very well so far. I can't thank you enough for asking me the questions you asked, which, in turn, pointed me in exactly the right direction to find my answers. My actual hearing is in 2 weeks and the landlord continues to be in violation with the issues I was attempting to have remedied and prompted my pending eviction.
In establishing my defense I have since learned that my landlord has never had a license. He purchased the property in July 2013 and immediately starting finding tenants. His first tenant moved in within 2 months, on August 2013. What I found out today while collecting follow up inspection and code violation documents is that my landlord has only applied for his license in July 2015. I can only assume he did so because I am fighting back, and so far faring extremely well with my retaliatory eviction.
Anyway, his new license is only temporary and is for a DUPLEX but he is actually collecting rent on 3 units. What I also learned is my specific apartment is not the only unit with code violations. His newest tenant has 3 major violations and her apartment. Her apartment was disapproved on 3 citations: Structural, electrical and plumbing.
He also still has an open building permit on the 3rd unit but claims construction has been complete and brought in the 3rd tenant. He is making no attempt (from what I understand) to remedy those issues either.
I know there is significance to this but I only found this: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr...icense_re.html
Needs a License: Renting or Leasing or attempts to rent or lease real property of another for compensation.
Does not need a License: The owner of real property who offers the real property for resale.
I'm going to be calling tomorrow for clarification.

