Can a tenant refuse to pay rent due to inadequate repairs?

Yes, a tenant in Florida can refuse to pay rent due to inadequate repairs, as long as they meet certain conditions. Under Florida law, a tenant cannot unreasonably withhold rent from the landlord if the landlord is willing to make necessary repairs. However, if the landlord does not make adequate repairs within a reasonable period of time and the tenant has notified the landlord of the problem in writing, the tenant can then legally refuse to pay rent until the repairs are completed. If the tenant chooses to withhold rent, they must keep all rent payments in an escrow account. An escrow account is an account used to hold money during a transaction between two parties. Before withholding rent, the tenant must also serve the landlord with a written notice of their intent to withhold rent and must also deposit the rent amount into the escrow account while repairs are being made. Once the repairs are completed, the landlord can then access the escrow account to obtain the funds for the unpaid rent. If the repairs are not completed and the tenant has kept up with the escrow payment, the tenant may be able to sue the landlord for damages related to the breach of the lease. It is important to remember that a tenant must meet certain conditions in order to lawfully withhold rent, and they must provide the landlord with notice before taking any action. The tenant is responsible for legal obligations and must make sure any claims are handled properly and according to Florida law.

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