Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

My rights when roommates are trespassing in my personal dwelling.

On what grounds do I have to break my lease when living in a community apartment complex that matches you with roommates? For instance, while out of town my roommates admitted to breaking into my bedroom, which I have a seperate lock and key to. In another instance, a friend broke into my room while my roommates were here, there are 2 stories, one is that the roommates helped him to break in. The other is they had nothing to do with it. Is this considered sufficient grounds for terminating my lease without me being liable? Please help. What advice can you give me?


Asked on 1/20/02, 4:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Peter Gonzalez Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez, Quesada, Lage, Crespo, Gomez & MachadoLLP

Re: My rights when roommates are trespassing in my personal dwelling.

First, you may want to consider contacting the police to report the incidents. This alone may cure the problem. Second, if the roommate was chosen by the landlord, report the incidents to the landlord and request that you be reassigned a new roommate immediately. Third, ask the landlord whether it performed a background check on your roommate before assigning him to share the apartment with you. If not, see if the landlord is willing to perform one. If so, ask whether you can have a copy of it. Without reviewing your lease, I cannot give you any other advice at this time.

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Answered on 1/22/02, 10:34 am


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