September 2024 - Hurricane Preparedness

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Florida Renters’ Hurricane Preparedness

Did You Know…

  • Florida is hit by an average of one to two hurricanes every year.

  • Renters’ rights are protected under Florida law, but responsibilities for damage, repairs, and evacuation procedures vary depending on the lease agreement.

  • Renters are not automatically covered under a landlord’s insurance. Renter’s insurance can cover personal belongings, but it’s crucial to read the fine print about flood and hurricane coverage.

  • In the aftermath of a storm, some landlords may try to increase rent or evict tenants if the property is damaged.

So What Does It All Mean?

As a renter, being aware of your rights before a storm hits can save you from legal and financial challenges:

  • Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property in habitable condition, which includes making necessary repairs. However, landlords are not responsible for all damage caused by storms, if such damage is cosmetic or lacking urgency of habitability. If a tree falls on a roof, damaging the structure of the home, then yes, a landlord needs to respond. But if flooding damages a garden, for example, this may not fall under the responsibility of a landlord. 

  • Florida law protects renters from being evicted due to hurricane damage:

    • “If the premises are damaged or destroyed other than by the wrongful or negligent acts of the tenant so that the enjoyment of the premises is substantially impaired, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement and immediately vacate the premises.” Florida Statute 83.63

  • If the rental unit is found to be uninhabitable due to hurricane damage, tenants may have the right to withhold rent or terminate the lease without penalty. However, these situations can be tricky and require legal advice.

  • If a hurricane causes so much damage the home is no longer safe to live in, the landlord may be required to remove the tenant for purposes of repair. Be sure to review your lease to see if there is provision for alternative housing or if the lease automatically terminates in such an instance.

  • During a hurricane, local authorities may issue evacuation orders. Renters should have a clear understanding of evacuation zones and procedures.

What Can We Do?

  • If your home is damaged due to a natural disaster or your landlord tries to evict you or raise the rent, reach out for legal help immediately. 

  • Free legal services are available for renters through the Florida Legal Services Eviction Prevention Helpline in Alachua County. Call the Helpline at 888-780-0443 for FREE legal assistance before or after a natural disaster that may lead to damages to your rental property. 

  • If you are a Florida resident and are facing repercussions from a hurricane or other disaster, you can also contact the FL Disaster Legal Aid Helpline at (833) 514-2940, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • Other resources available for Florida residents include: 

Community Outreach

Upcoming Outreach Events

What We’ve Been Up To

Tri County’s World Greatest Baby Shower

This month we participated in the Tri County Resource Center’s World Greatest Baby Shower event. The turnout for this event was amazing and we love the opportunity to talk to so many families about their Fair Housing rights. Thank you so much for having us be part of this incredible event.

21st Annual Caribbean Health Summit

It was a great time to be a first time exhibitor at the Annual Caribbean Health Summit in Orange County. It was a great time sharing about our fair housing resources and tester program. We look forward to being at the next one.

Know Your Rights Presentation at English Class (Tower Road Library)

As part of our monthly Know Your Rights presentations for tenants in Alachua County, the Eviction Prevention team presented on tenant rights and responsibilities at the local library’s English class of international students and immigrants. Join us for our next presentations in October! We will be holding two: Oct. 7th from 10am-12pm; Oct. 28th at One Health Family Center from 11am-1pm! Be sure to join to learn about your rights from an attorney! 

Building Belonging (Alachua)

During a time of negative rhetoric towards immigrants, the Rural Women’s Health Project hosted a Building Belonging event welcoming all immigrants and cultures. Florida Legal Services tabled to share resources and information for both Fair Housing and Eviction Prevention. 

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (Alachua)

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, SWAG Family Resource Center hosted a community dinner. They invited local social service agencies to attend catering to the Hispanic community. Florida Legal Services attended, and ensured to provide materials for both Fair Housing and Eviction Prevention in both English and Spanish. 

Presentation at the National Housing Law Project HJN Conference

Erika Recek, our Director of Survivor Advocacy and also part of the Fair Housing team, presented on providing trauma-informed eviction defense to survivors of gender-based violence. Thank you NHLP for a great few days in Minneapolis!

Gainesville Pride Festival

This year’s pride festival was almost canceled due to Hurricane Helene but we’re glad the festival continued after much consideration. Outreach from both our Eviction Prevention and Fair Housing teams got the chance to talk to festival goers about their rights. It was a great turn out! Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by our table.

Alachua County Eviction Prevention Legal Clinic - If you have a housing or legal question that you would like to consult an attorney about, please join us Oct. 16th from 1pm-4pm at the One Health Family Center;  1725 SE 1st Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32641. You can speak to an attorney for FREE. The Eviction Prevention team is also at the HQ Library every Friday from 10am-1pm, if you have any questions or concerns, stop by!

Alachua County Eviction Prevention Helpline - CALL: 888-780-0443
This helpline aimed at serving Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) recipients and other members of the Alachua community is up and running! Helpline operators are accepting phone calls regarding housing, landlord-tenant issues, child support, or any other legal issue faced by low-income Alachua County renters. Callers will be connected with an attorney who can provide legal assistance over the phone and in some cases, direct legal representation.


Tenants’ Rights Workshops - The Alachua County Eviction Prevention team is hosting FREE monthly legal clinics “Know Your Rights As A Renter” at public locations throughout the county. Join us this month Oct. 7th from 10am-12pm at Library Partnership: 912 NE 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear advice and ask questions of experienced housing attorneys.  EMAIL TO JOIN MAILING LIST FOR UPCOMING FREE LEGAL CLINIC! 

 

The federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects you from discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. This applies to renting, buying, mortgages, appraisals, insurance, and looking for a place to live.

 
 

IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
407-801- 4224
850-680-1729 (Spanish)
fairhousing@floridalegal.org
www.floridalegal.org/fairhousing

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.

 
Joseph Cordova