News
Stay informed with expert insights, legal updates, and essential resources for landlords.
When Criminal Conduct Returns to the Rental Property
In September 2025, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decided United States v. Simpson (No. 24-50284), a case that began with an eviction and ended in federal criminal charges. The story is unsettling, but it offers powerful lessons for landlords on how to handle...
Marijuana, Criminal Activity, and Lease Enforcement
The recent Florida appellate ruling in Williams v. State of Florida (2nd DCA 2025) has reshaped the legal landscape surrounding marijuana and police investigations. The court held that the smell of cannabis alone no longer provides probable cause for police to conduct...
HOA Enforcement and Risks to Landlords in Florida
When a landlord owns rental property within a homeowner association (HOA), the landlord must navigate not only Florida’s landlord-tenant laws but also the HOA’s restrictive covenants, rules, and enforcement actions. A recent case from Florida’s Fourth District Court...
Condo Unit Owner Liability for Water Damage in Florida
The Florida Condominium Act, F.S. ch. 718, governs the relationships between condominium associations and unit owners. This statute affects not just the condo unit owner but also tenants who occupy a condo unit. Importantly, the Act does not automatically impose...
Emergency Powers, Eviction Moratoria, and the Takings Clause
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, governments across the United States—federal, state, and local—issued sweeping emergency orders. Many of these orders had significant and sometimes devastating impacts on residential and commercial landlords. These impacts ranged from bans...