Rent, maintenance, and move-in help in one place.

Rent is payable in advance on the 1st of each month, no later than 4:30 p.m.; the lease treats it as late on the 2nd. Use the tenant portal’s available payment options and verify that your payment clears. The lease also permits first-person checks, money orders and certified checks, but excludes cash and uncertified second- or third-party checks. Electronic-payment processing costs may be charged at actual cost. Payments are applied first to outstanding balances, then fees, then current rent, so paying only your usual rent amount may leave a balance. The lease does not give an automatic grace period while a payment issue is being resolved.

The supplied Fee Addendum lists an initial late charge of 10% of the monthly rental amount plus $10 per day until paid in full. A returned check carries a charge of $40 or 5% of the check amount, whichever is greater, and management may require certified funds afterward. Notice delivery is listed at $75 plus mileage at the IRS rate. For unpaid rent, a statutory written demand generally provides 3 days to pay or surrender possession, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and court-observed legal holidays; it is not an extra rent grace period. Unresolved nonpayment can lead to termination and a court eviction action. These are the template’s stated fees; any charge remains subject to the signed agreement and applicable law.

No. The deposit secures performance of the tenancy and does not replace your monthly rent payment. The lease specifically says you cannot require management to apply it to rent or another amount you owe, and a transfer to another property requires a separate deposit. Continuing to occupy the home without paying rent can trigger the stated late charge of 10% plus $10 per day and the nonpayment notice process, even if management holds a deposit. If several tenants signed, the lease makes each responsible for all lease obligations, rather than just an individual share of the rent.

Notify management in writing within 7 days after your contact information changes. Update the portal as well so repair scheduling, account messages and other correspondence reach you. The Fee Addendum lists a $50 charge for failing to provide a contact-information update. A phone conversation alone does not satisfy the lease’s written-notice requirement. Send ordinary correspondence through the portal or another accepted written channel and retain a copy. Formal legal notices have separate delivery requirements; confirm the current designated notice address and legally permitted delivery method rather than assuming a portal message is sufficient. For statutory notices, email is available only when the parties have elected electronic notice in the written addendum required by Florida Statute 83.505; an ordinary portal update is not that election.

The lease assigns utilities to the tenant unless a property-specific agreement says otherwise. Put accounts in your name by occupancy and pay connection costs, deposits and ongoing charges. Utilities must be used normally and not wasted. Charges the owner incurs for your use may be billed back as additional rent, and failure to establish service is described as a material breach. The template’s $100 utility fee concerns its separate requirement to leave utilities on after occupancy ends; it is not a general connection fee. During occupancy, keep essential services active and report interruptions promptly. The county directories above provide setup contacts. Management may not shut off or interrupt utilities to force payment or possession, even when it pays for the service. See Florida Statute 83.67.

The owner’s policy does not insure your personal belongings. The lease recommends renters and liability insurance and does not provide insurance for tenant belongings. This does not release either party from liability imposed by law; a blanket lease waiver cannot eliminate that liability. Arrange coverage for your belongings and appropriate liability protection; the supplied form does not state a universal renters-policy coverage limit or a fixed fee for not carrying ordinary renters insurance. It does separately require at least $15,000 of flotation-bed insurance if you have a permitted waterbed, naming the owner and manager as additional insureds. Damage you or your guests cause may still be charged to you regardless of insurance coverage.

Only the tenants and occupants approved in the agreement may live at the property. Before someone moves in, obtain written approval; a proposed new tenant must complete the application process and may be denied based on the results. Letting someone reside there first does not create permission. The Fee Addendum lists $500 per guest/occupant violation. Unauthorized occupants may also result in a written 7-day opportunity to correct a curable violation, with further action if it is not corrected. You remain responsible for the conduct and damage of people you allow into the home.

An occasional overnight guest may stay no more than 14 consecutive nights or 45 non-consecutive nights in a calendar year under the supplied lease. Contact management before a visit crosses either limit or becomes residency; written approval is required for added occupants. The Fee Addendum lists $500 per violation of the guest/occupant provision. Guests cannot request lease changes, renewals, repairs or lockout assistance as if they were tenants. You must ensure they follow the property rules and are responsible for resulting damage. An unauthorized-occupant violation can also trigger the applicable written cure and termination process.

The lease prohibits transferring the agreement or subletting all or any part of the property. Renting out a bedroom, allowing a replacement tenant to take over, or offering the home as a short-term rental is not authorized by your existing tenancy. The Fee Addendum identifies eviction costs plus attorney fees for a subletting violation, rather than a fixed dollar fine. Recovery of those costs and any termination must follow the signed agreement and applicable law; a violation does not bypass required notices or court procedures. Obtain a written agreement before making any arrangement that changes who rents or occupies the home.

Pets require management approval and an Animal Addendum before they are brought onto the property. Without that addendum, the template does not allow pets. The Fee Addendum states a $500 pet-addendum violation charge plus removal of the unauthorized pet. A curable unauthorized-pet violation may receive a written 7-day correction notice; paying a fee does not itself authorize the animal to remain. The form leaves ordinary pet deposits and nonrefundable pet charges blank, so it does not establish a universal amount for an approved pet. Assistance-animal accommodation requests must be handled separately under applicable law rather than automatically treated as pet violations.

Report safety, maintenance and repair issues immediately in writing, using the tenant portal with clear photos, location, symptoms and access information. If you need a physical inspection, say so expressly. The template lists a tenant-requested maintenance inspection fee of $75 plus IRS-rate mileage when the matter is the tenant’s responsibility; repair labor and costs may be additional. A missed appointment is also listed at $75 plus IRS-rate mileage. Coordinate access and follow the four-step maintenance process above. Do not repair owner appliances without written authorization. The lease does not authorize you to deduct voluntary repair spending from rent without a prior written agreement; statutory remedies remain separate. The landlord’s statutory repair duties and tenant remedies are not suspended by an internal owner-approval process. For material landlord noncompliance, Florida Statute 83.56 provides a written 7-day notice procedure; any rent-withholding defense has separate requirements under Florida Statute 83.60. A routine repair request is not automatically that legal notice.

For an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911 first. For an active property-maintenance emergency, call 850-304-0202 and follow with a written report and photos when safe. Notify management promptly about equipment failures and take reasonable, safe steps to prevent additional damage. The lease describes ordinary air-conditioning failures as non-emergencies, but an immediate safety or medical danger should not be dismissed as routine. There is no fixed emergency-reporting fee in the supplied form. A tenant may be responsible for damage caused or worsened by failing to report a known problem or reasonably protect the property.

Keep the interior and exterior clean and sanitary, remove garbage, use fixtures and appliances properly, and avoid disturbing neighbors. The Minor Repairs Addendum assigns items such as bulbs, batteries, stove drip pans and filters, water filters, tenant-caused clogs, damaged screens, knobs and other minor repairs to the tenant. Trash cans must be stored out of view except within 12 hours before or after scheduled collection. Tenant-caused damage and neglected upkeep may be billed back; a tenant-responsibility inspection is listed at $75 plus IRS-rate mileage. A curable material violation may receive a 7-day written correction notice. Report safety defects promptly; these provisions do not eliminate nonwaivable landlord duties.

Change furnace and A/C filters every month, using the correct size and type. The lease also assigns A/C drain-line care to the tenant, and management may inspect for compliance. If the filter has not been changed when inspected, the Fee Addendum lists an $85 A/C filter-change fee, treated by the template as an additional amount owed. Damage resulting from failure to maintain the filter or drain line may create additional repair liability. Report cooling failures, leaking condensate or unusual moisture immediately. Changing a filter does not authorize you to repair the owner’s equipment yourself.

The Minor Repairs Addendum assigns routine pest control to the tenant. The lease states an exception for non-wood-destroying pests during the first 2 days after move-in and assigns wood-destroying pest treatment to the owner throughout the lease, subject to the agreement and applicable law. Report evidence promptly, especially termites or damage to wood. There is no single routine pest-control penalty amount in the supplied form. If management addresses a tenant-responsibility condition, inspection charges of $75 plus IRS-rate mileage and treatment costs may apply. Keep the property sanitary and correct conditions that attract pests; unresolved material violations may trigger written notice. Responsibility also depends on property type and any lawful written allocation. When landlord-provided extermination under section 83.51(2)(a) requires temporary absence, the statute requires 7 days’ written notice, limits the absence to 4 days and requires rent abatement. See Florida Statute 83.51.

Unless a property-specific agreement assigns landscaping elsewhere, maintain the yard at your expense. The addendum calls for weekly mowing, edging and turf trimming, monthly shrub trimming, and remulching planting beds every 3 months. The main lease limits turf to 6 inches and generally requires shrubs to stay one foot away from exterior walls. Water, fertilize, control weeds and insects, and report tree limbs within 4 feet of a structure. Written approval is required for gardens. If you fail to correct a curable violation after notice, management may arrange service and charge the cost, or pursue termination as permitted by law. There is no universal flat lawn penalty listed.

Report suspected mold, leaks, musty odors, overflows, moisture around vents and staining immediately in writing, with photos when possible. Keep the home clean, remove standing moisture and use ventilation and climate control appropriately. A tenant-paid professional mold report is not a prerequisite to reporting a defect or to the landlord performing duties imposed by law. Management should evaluate the reported condition and coordinate necessary inspection or repair. Responsibility for damage depends on its cause and the parties’ lawful duties; a blanket release of landlord liability does not control. No fixed mold penalty is listed. Material noncompliance follows the applicable written-notice process, not automatic termination simply because the template labels it a breach. See Florida Statute 83.51, Florida Statute 83.47 and Florida Statute 83.56.

Obtain written permission before painting, wallpapering, changing flooring, attaching a satellite dish, or making improvements. The template permits small decoration nails, limited to 6 per wall, but excludes large-item mounts such as television supports and prohibits ceiling attachments. Unauthorized work does not entitle you to a rent credit; attached fixtures may become the owner’s property. You may be responsible for repair or restoration costs and resulting damage. If your work causes a construction lien, the lease requires discharge or transfer to a bond within 10 days after notice and lists actual costs plus attorney fees for a lien violation.

Do not change locks, install a bootlock or otherwise prevent authorized access. Contact management for replacement keys, lock service or a lockout. The Fee Addendum lists $100 for changing or unlocking locks at the tenant’s request or when necessary, and $10 for each additional key. You are responsible for keeping keys and remotes secure and replacing damaged access devices. Do not give unauthorized occupants control of the property through extra keys. Blocking lawful access can constitute a lease violation; it does not remove the landlord’s obligation to follow applicable entry and notice rules.

Park only on concrete or asphalt, not lawns or other vegetation. Vehicles must be licensed, registered, operational, properly parked and authorized under the lease. Written consent is required for the listed restricted vehicle types, including trailers, campers, motorcycles, boats and commercial vehicles. Do not repair or dismantle vehicles at the property. Unauthorized vehicles may be towed at tenant expense, subject to applicable towing requirements; the template does not set a flat towing price. Parking violations may also result in a written correction notice and costs caused by the violation. Community parking rules apply in addition to the lease.

Smoking is prohibited inside the home, including by guests; outdoor smoking must be at least 20 feet from the premises under the lease. The template lists no separate fixed smoking fine. Cleaning, odor treatment and damage may be charged when legally attributable to the tenant. Whether a violation can be corrected or supports termination without an opportunity to cure is governed by the facts and current law, not a blanket “non-curable” label. Curable material noncompliance generally receives a written 7-day correction notice. Statutory grounds for non-curable or qualifying repeat violations have their own requirements. See Florida Statute 83.56.

Obtain and follow the HOA or condominium rules covering use, parking, appearance and maintenance. The lease makes the tenant responsible for acquiring the rules and states that association rules prevail over conflicting lease terms, subject to applicable law. Regular and special association dues are not assigned to the tenant merely because the property is in an association, but charges caused by the tenant’s conduct or use may be passed through where permitted. No universal HOA-violation dollar amount is stated in the template. Association notice procedures and any landlord correction notice are separate; respond to both and provide management with copies of notices received.

Management may enter for authorized inspections, repairs, services and showings, and may document the property’s condition with photographs or video. For repair entry, current Florida law requires at least 24 hours’ notice and a reasonable time between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m... Emergency entry to protect or preserve the property is treated differently. You must not unreasonably withhold consent or obstruct lawful access. The Fee Addendum lists $75 plus IRS-rate mileage for a missed scheduled appointment. Entry cannot be abused or used to harass. See Florida Statute 83.53.

For an intended continuous absence of at least 30 days, the lease requires written notice within 7 days from the start of the absence, stating departure and return dates; notifying management beforehand helps coordinate any concerns. The template instructs tenants to shut the main water valve before leaving and arrange compliance with freeze precautions and ongoing yard care. Coordinate property-specific systems and safety needs with management rather than disabling equipment that must remain active. Your rent and care obligations continue, and notice does not make management responsible for looking after the home. No flat extended-absence fee is listed, but damage caused by neglected obligations may be charged.

The lease restricts pools, trampolines, swing sets, athletic and recreational equipment, and other items that affect property insurance. Obtain prior written consent before installing equipment or amenities; management may require removal or cessation of an activity that affects coverage. No fixed equipment-violation fee is listed, but resulting damage, costs and insurance increases caused by the tenant may be charged where permitted. If a pool is already included, the Minor Repairs Addendum calls for daily chemical and water-level care, at least 12 hours of pump operation daily and cleaning every other day, unless another applicable agreement assigns those duties differently.

Use the property as a residence. Commercial activity requires management approval and a Home Based Business Addendum; your existing residential lease does not itself authorize customers, business equipment, signage or other commercial use. Obtain written terms before starting and comply with applicable community rules and legal requirements. The template does not state a fixed home-business violation fee. Unauthorized use may lead to a correction notice, charges for resulting damage or increased insurance costs, and further lease enforcement if the violation is not corrected. Written permission is also needed for alterations associated with the business.

Renewal requires a written agreement; the lease does not promise automatic renewal. The template lists a $50–$100 renewal-fee range but does not select an amount, and it does not supply the monthly increase it references for month-to-month occupancy. For a fixed-term lease with a contractual end-of-term notice requirement, Florida law requires reciprocal notice periods of 30–60 days. A stated one-month-rent charge for missing notice is not automatic: the landlord must provide the statutory reminder within the 15 days before the notice period begins, identifying the obligation, termination date and applicable charges. Month-to-month termination requires at least 30 days’ notice before the end of the monthly period. See Florida Statute 83.575 and Florida Statute 83.57.

Current applicable law controls whenever this FAQ, the lease or an addendum conflicts with it. Under Florida Statute 83.47, a lease term cannot waive the rights, remedies or requirements of Florida’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act or eliminate liability arising under law. Lease fees stated here are contractual amounts, not statutory fines; listing them does not establish that every charge is enforceable in every situation. Curable material violations generally require a written 7-day correction notice. Nonpayment generally requires a 3-day written demand excluding weekends and court-observed holidays. Serious or qualifying repeat violations follow separate rules. Management cannot use utility shutoffs or lockouts instead of lawful possession procedures. See Florida Statute 83.56 and Florida Statute 83.67.