In today’s digital age, many landlords have moved to online portals for rent payment and other important lease-related communications. While this can be convenient, it also opens the door for potential issues. We’ve received reports of landlords improperly locking tenants out of these portals, not only after serving a 3-day notice of nonpayment but also when tenants vacate the property.
This is a serious issue. If you’re locked out of your portal, you may be unable to access crucial documents, including your lease agreement, rent payment history, and maintenance requests. This can create problems if you need to dispute a charge, prove you made timely rent payments, or provide evidence of maintenance issues.
Saving Copies of Your Lease and Other Records
It is crucial to keep a physical or digital copy of your lease agreement and all important documents within your landlord’s portal. Regularly download and save copies of your rent payment history, maintenance requests, and any other relevant communications. Your lease is a legally binding contract that outlines your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. If your landlord improperly locks you out of your portal, these saved documents can serve as crucial evidence if you were to bring a civil case to protect your rights.
If you’ve been locked out of your rental portal or are unable to access important documents, call our office for a consultation. We can help you understand your rights and take steps to protect yourself.
Our office is actively seeking clients who have been improperly locked out of their rental portals by their landlords.
This practice often occurs in conjunction with other self-help eviction tactics, which are illegal in Florida. A self-help eviction occurs when a landlord attempts to force a tenant to move out without going through the proper legal channels. This can include changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant’s belongings without a court order. These actions are prohibited by law and can result in severe consequences for the landlord.
Locking a tenant out of their rental portal can be a form of self-help eviction, especially if it’s used to pressure the tenant to move out. By denying access to the portal, the landlord may be attempting to prevent the tenant from paying rent or accessing important lease information. This can make it difficult for the tenant to assert their rights and fight an eviction action.
Tenants May Seek Damages for Landlord Self-Help Evictions per Florida Statute §83.67
Tenants may recover damages against landlords for prohibited practices, such as the termination or interruption of utilities. These damages include actual and consequential damages or 3 months’ rent, whichever is greater, and costs, including attorney’s fees.
If you believe your landlord has improperly locked you out of your rental portal or engaged in other self-help eviction tactics, contact our office.
We can help you understand your rights and take legal action to protect yourself from an unlawful eviction.