Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Florida

I am in St. Petersburg, FL. I recently discovered I am renting an illegal mother-in-law apartment, in a single family home. I discovered this after I slipped, fell and injured myself on kitchen tiles, when the whole ceiling leaked during a rain storm. The owner is dodging me about filing an insurance claim, etc.

My question is, where do I start to get out of this living situation, be compensated or reimbursed for rent I have paid, and file a claim for medical care for my injury? I know that is a couple of questions, I just don't know where to start.


Asked on 3/16/14, 11:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Barry Stein De Cardenas, Freixas, Stein & Zachary

All your questions require an attorney to review your claims. You likely are not going to get reimbursed for the rental that you paid, despite the illegality of the unit. Your written lease, if any, controls the relationship of the parties. As for your personal injuries, if the landlord was negligent creating the situation with the roof collapse and your ultimate slip and fall, then you can bring a personal injury action for those damages. You really need some legal help to get started.

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Answered on 3/17/14, 3:51 am


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