Florida : St Augustine : Tenant Gave Early Lease Termination Notice : Penalty ?

Question

Hi All -

I started a lease with my new tenant in Sep 2023 in St Augustine, FL. Just after two months, he sent me a text giving me an early lease termination notice due to two reasons - 1. my house did not meet his needs 2. I owed him still $275 USD which I had committed to him at the start of the lease in a cell phone text ( not on the lease document ) - so he says that I breached the contract by not moving forward

My tenant says that he is giving me 30 days' termination notice and will send me the certified letter as discussed in the Zillow lease agreement and FL state law.

I have used a standard Zillow FL lease document for the signature and the lease document does not say that it is allowed for him to break the lease just like that.

I need advice on what should i do ? should I contact any attorney ? can I put a penalty on him ? As of now he just sent me a text and I have also replied by text saying that it will be considered tenant default and I am not accepting it as early termination notice.

Please advise.

Michael Smythe · Answer

Why doesn't your lease state something about early termination penalty?

You made a rookie mistake using free forms, assuming everything would go perfectly!

Take some to read management posts here on BP to learn what other problems DIY managers face and update your lease accordingly.

Or hire a PMC.

Ken Holifield · Answer

I totally agree with Joseph. Take it as a lesson learned and move forward. Maybe hire a professional property manager next time. Good luck!

Joseph Beilke · Answer

Some time it's worth letting them out and moving on to a better tenant. The headache, costs, rents loss could compound and end up being much worse then just letting them go.

Probably not what you wanted to hear. Sorry and good luck.

Florida : St Augustine : Tenant Gave Early Lease Termination Notice : Penalty ?

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