I'm the tenant. Haines City Florida. Maintenance. Landlord…

If you have not signed a lease since 2017, then you are likely month-to-month.

The effect of an expired lease, where the tenant continues to remain on the premises, and the landlord continues to allow the arrangement while collecting rent is a legally recognized month-to-month tenancy.

What this means is that the terms of the written lease continue to be upheld, and are enforceable but that both the tenant and the landlord can end the arrangement with 30-days written notice to the other party.

While this arrangement can be effective, so long as both sides are still willing, once the printed lease expires - what neither side can do is to obligate the other side to renew for a full additional term the provisions of the lease unless both sides consent.

While this arrangement can be effective, so long as both sides are still willing - what neither side can do is to obligate the other side to renew for a full additional term the provisions of the lease unless both sides consent. Either side upon 30 days notice could end the arrangement. Additionally, if you are late with the rent, even a day, the landlord could start an eviction proceeding.

The landlord is not obligated to fix anything if he chooses to end the lease instead.

Still, if for whatever reason, the tenant does not leave, the landlord cannot just simply kick the tenant out and change the locks.

In order to make you leave your landlord would be required to seek an eviction order from a housing court.

This is not ideal for anyone, so before you get to this point, it may make sense to communicate with the landlord and reach a mutual agreement.

But assuming that option is not available, or even if it breaks down, in order to get an eviction your landlord would need to get a judge's signature. That is not going to happen without a notice to you, giving you an opportunity to cure the alleged breach of your loss. If you can, your eviction will be dismissed.

Even if you cannot, a landlord cannot just evict you, they have to serve you with notice and you will have a right to respond with any defenses that you have.

Then the matter will be set down for a trial where you can present any defenses.

Only then, if the judge finds grounds will an eviction be ordered and even then there will have to be notice served in advance to you.

Currently, there is a substantial backlog in eviction matters, so judgments don't occur overnight or even in a matter of a month or two. So even in the worst case scenario, an eviction is not occurring overnight. And the landlord cannot simply lock the doors behind you.

I hope that I was able to answer all of your questions and concerns. Is there any part of my response about which you need clarification or further information?

While I understand that the premises is in poor condition, you cannot make the landlord extend your right to live beyond 30 days at a time, unless he agrees to it. He has no obligation to fix the premises if he is opting to end the leasehold.

I am sorry if that is not the answer you were hoping for. If there is more at issue, it might pay to consult with a local attorney who can analyze the manner in closer detail, but the general answer is that for a month to month tenancy, you cannot require repairs if the landlord is seeking to end the lease. As I hope you understand, giving you an untrue or incomplete response simply to procure favor ultimately benefits neither of us.

If the lease has not been updated since 2017, whether you realize it or not your lease is month-to-month. So tenancy rules would apply.

Please review what I wrote above.  In case you didn't see it, I will cut and paste it here:

The effect of an expired lease, where the tenant continues to remain on the premises, and the landlord continues to allow the arrangement while collecting rent is a legally recognized month-to-month tenancy.

What this means is that the terms of the written lease continue to be upheld, and are enforceable but that both the tenant and the landlord can end the arrangement with 30-days written notice to the other party.

While this arrangement can be effective, so long as both sides are still willing, once the printed lease expires - what neither side can do is to obligate the other side to renew for a full additional term the provisions of the lease unless both sides consent.

While this arrangement can be effective, so long as both sides are still willing - what neither side can do is to obligate the other side to renew for a full additional term the provisions of the lease unless both sides consent. Either side upon 30 days notice could end the arrangement. Additionally, if you are late with the rent, even a day, the landlord could start an eviction proceeding.

The landlord is not obligated to fix anything if he chooses to end the lease instead.

Still, if for whatever reason, the tenant does not leave, the landlord cannot just simply kick the tenant out and change the locks.

In order to make you leave your landlord would be required to seek an eviction order from a housing court.

This is not ideal for anyone, so before you get to this point, it may make sense to communicate with the landlord and reach a mutual agreement.

But assuming that option is not available, or even if it breaks down, in order to get an eviction your landlord would need to get a judge's signature. That is not going to happen without a notice to you, giving you an opportunity to cure the alleged breach of your loss. If you can, your eviction will be dismissed.

Even if you cannot, a landlord cannot just evict you, they have to serve you with notice and you will have a right to respond with any defenses that you have.

Then the matter will be set down for a trial where you can present any defenses.

Only then, if the judge finds grounds will an eviction be ordered and even then there will have to be notice served in advance to you.

Currently, there is a substantial backlog in eviction matters, so judgments don't occur overnight or even in a matter of a month or two. So even in the worst case scenario, an eviction is not occurring overnight. And the landlord cannot simply lock the doors behind you.

Yes, that is correct.

I am sorry if that is not the answer you were hoping for. But giving you an untrue or incomplete response simply to procure favor ultimately benefits neither of us.

I can only go by the information you provide.