Tampa Residential Lease Agreement

A residential lease agreement in Tampa is a binding document between a landlord and a tenant. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions surrounding the use of a rental property in exchange for payment.

Residential Lease Agreement Requirements in Tampa

Tampa currently has several mandatory disclosures that landlords must provide to tenants. These disclosures are either in addition to or modify requirements for Florida’s lease agreements.

Notice of Tenant Rights

Under the Tenant Bill of Rights, Landlords in Tampa must provide a Notice of Tenant Rights to any prospective tenants filling out a rental application. This must be provided prior to the tenants moving into the unit.

Landlord-Tenant Rights and Regulations in Tampa

When it comes to landlord-tenant rights, Tampa landlords should be aware of the following:

Housing Information Line

The City of Tampa has established a housing information line that is available to residents. This service connects residents to a variety of housing resources within the city—including eviction protection, rental assistance, and landlord/tenant issues.

Rental and Move-In Assistance Program

Tampa’s city-funded Rental and Move-In Assistance Program (RMAP) works to assist residents who are experiencing housing stability issues due to significant rent increases.

Tenant’s Bill of Rights

In March 2022, Tampa City Council passed the Tenant’s Bill of Rights ordinance that provides certain protections to tenants surrounding the following issues:

• Source of income discrimination
• Rent increases
•  Lease terminations for month-to-month tenancies

Also under this ordinance, landlords in Tampa must provide tenants with a notice of tenant rights before move-in. [1]

Source of Income Discrimination

In Tampa, it is illegal for a landlord to discriminate against a tenant or prospective tenant due to their source of income—such as the use of housing vouchers. [2]

Rent Increases

Landlords in Tampa who plan to increase the rent by more than 5% at the end of a rental period must provide tenants with 60 days’ written notice. Then, the tenant may agree to the terms, suggest a compromise, or reject the offer. [3]

Lease Terminations for Month-to-Month Tenancies

Landlords in Tampa must provide month-to-month tenants with 30 days’ written notice before terminating the lease agreement. [4]

Optional Lease Agreement Disclosures and Addendums in Tampa

While not mandatory, landlords can add specific disclosures and addendums to their leases. This helps outline the responsibilities of the tenant and can prevent future liability issues.

Mold Disclosure

Due to Tampa’s humid climate, landlords may want to include a mold disclosure. This prevents landlords from being liable for future mold-related damage.

Asbestos Disclosure

Florida ranks second in asbestos-related deaths. This is why landlords should include a disclosure stating if asbestos is present on the property. If asbestos is present, tenants should take precautions to minimize the chance of disturbing the fibers.

Parking Rules Addendum

Since Tampa is primarily a driving city, landlords may want to include a parking addendum to clearly outline the building’s parking policy. This should include information on assigned parking spots, street parking rules, and any prohibited uses of the parking space.

Summary of Required Lease Disclosures for the State of Florida

• Landlord’s Name and Address – The landlord must include their name and mailing address on the lease. This informs tenants of where to send any future legal notices or demands.
• Radon Gas – All rental agreements require a general disclaimer about the dangers of high levels of radon gas. This gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that may cause health issues if a person is exposed over time.
• Security Deposit Holdings – Landlords must provide a written disclosure of how security deposit funds will be kept. Additionally, landlords must provide general information about security deposits and how they work in Florida.
• Lead-Based Paint – It is a federal law in the United States that any home built prior to 1978 must disclose the risks posed by lead-based paints.