Last year there were a lot of changes in Florida Landlord and Tenant Law. One of those changes was in section 83.51 Landlord's obligation to maintain premises.
The way the law was written previously, the owner or management company was responsible for screens, even if they were damaged by the tenants, their guests or pets, the owner had to fix or replace them. The new law states: At the beginning of the lease, the owner or management company must make sure the screens are installed and in reasonable condition, and management now only must repair screens once annually, when necessary, until termination of the rental agreement. However, the landlord's obligations under this subsection may be altered or modified in writing with respect to a single-family home or duplex. So if it is a single family home or a duplex, the owner would be responsible for screens when the tenant moves in, but the lease could state that the tenant is responsible for maintaining the screens.
So what else does a landlord have an obligation to maintains under Florida Law?
1. The landlord must at all times, comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing, and health codes.
2. Where there are no applicable building, housing, or health codes, the landlord must maintain the roofs, windows, doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, foundations, and all other structural components in good repair. They must be capable of resisting normal forces and loads and the plumbing must be in reasonable working condition.
3. The extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, wood- destroying organisms, and bedbugs. This can be an owner responsibility, depending on the lease. Unless it is a single family property or a duplex, it must be in writing if it isn't an owner responsibility.
4. Locks and keys.
5. The clean and safe condition of common areas (not applicable for single family or duplex).
6. Garbage removal and outside receptacles (not applicable for single family or duplex).
7. Heat, running water and hot water
8. Smoke detectors
You can see the Florida Statute here:
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