Can a landlord demand a higher security deposit from a tenant with bad credit?

In the state of Florida, landlords are not allowed to demand higher security deposits from tenants based on their credit score or lack thereof. This falls under the state’s leasing law and is seen as discriminatory. Landlords are allowed to charge a security deposit that amounts to no more than two months’ rent. If a tenant has a bad credit score, their security deposit cannot exceed this amount. In some cases, landlords may require an extra deposit that goes beyond two months’ rent. They may require extra deposits that can equal up to six months’ rent in total. However, even if a tenant has poor credit, the landlord must treat all tenants in the same way when it comes to these extra deposits. They must have a consistent policy on what is required from all tenants. In short, landlords in Florida are not allowed to demand higher security deposits from tenants with bad credit such as in the form of a co-signer or a larger security deposit. All tenants must be treated the same and should be expected to pay the same security deposit.

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Can a landlord demand a higher security deposit from a tenant with bad credit?

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