South-Florida’s wet season (and hurricane season overlap) turns “damp” into a landlord-tenant priority: water intrusion is the trigger that causes mold, corrosion, ruined belongings, and habitability disputes. This article lays out practical guidance — backed by public-health, building-code, and Florida-statute sources — on AC set-points, dehumidifiers, and what landlords are legally expected to do in oceanfront (Boca Raton / Deerfield) versus canal-adjacent (Palm Coast) cont

Florida’s housing market now includes two distinct flavors of new-development housing: institutional build-to-rent (BTR)  communities (single-owner rental neighborhoods often operated by a professional landlord/operator) and master-planned communities  (MPAs) where single-family homes are sold to owners inside HOA governance. If you’re choosing where to rent or buy — or you manage one of these places — the practical differences around warranties, construction/noise rules, and

Construction & renovation disturbances — what notice you’re owed Areas covered:  Mizner Park area (Boca Raton / Palm Beach County), A1A corridor (Deerfield Beach / Broward County), and new-build streets (Palm Coast / Flagler County) Construction is noisy and disruptive — but it’s not lawless. Between city noise/construction rules, Florida’s construction-law paperwork, and condo/HOA governance, residents are owed certain kinds of notice and protections. Below I summarize what

In Florida’s coastal housing markets — from Boca Raton  and Deerfield Beach  to Palm Coast  — communication between property managers and residents has evolved. Maintenance requests that once flowed through paper forms and text threads now move into structured digital systems. Yet, questions remain: which methods best protect both residents and associations when disputes arise? This article compares maintenance portals  and text messaging  across these three cities, focusing

Parking, towing & guest passes: condo rules east of US-1 in Boca/Deerfield vs. driveway/HOA rules in Palm Coast letter sections Parking, Towing & Guest Passes: Condo Rules East of US-1 vs. HOA Driveway Policies in Palm Coast A. Quick Synopsis — What Differs, in One Line: Condominiums east of US-1 in Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach typically treat parking as a common-element management function  (decals, assigned stalls, guest passes, posted tow notices, and board enforcement),

Artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic screening tools are increasingly used by landlords and property managers to evaluate prospective tenants. While these tools promise efficiency, they also carry risks of error, bias, and non-transparency—especially when used for tenant selection in rental housing. For managers and brokers in Boca/Deerfield and Palm Coast, understanding these risks and how to respond to disputes is important. 1. What is happening: AI screening tools

What property managers can — and can’t — ask, and how to handle requests correctly Housing providers in Florida must navigate two overlapping bodies of law when tenants say they need an animal for a disability: federal disability law (the Fair Housing Act and ADA) and Florida law. The rules differ depending on whether the animal is a service animal  (trained to perform tasks) or an assistance animal  such as an emotional support animal (ESA)  (provides therapeutic emotional s

Ending a lease early can get expensive—but the how much  depends heavily on location and property type. In Florida, the difference between a Boca Raton condo, a Deerfield Beach townhouse under an HOA, and a Palm Coast single-family home can mean hundreds of dollars in variance once the fine print kicks in. Boca Raton Condo: Association Rules Add Layers In Boca Raton, most condominium rentals operate under the oversight of active condo associations—entities that can significan

When renewal season rolls around, tenants and landlords often face a familiar standoff: how to manage rent increases fairly while keeping flexibility. One practical middle ground is a rate cap without a multi-year lock-in —an agreement that limits future rent hikes but keeps the lease term itself at one year (or even month-to-month). This approach is especially useful in markets where vacancy rates fluctuate differently across cities . Below are negotiation strategies tailore

Timing a lease-renewal ask in Florida isn’t just bookkeeping — it’s strategy. Coastal Broward & Palm Beach submarkets (think Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach) swing strongly with the “snowbird” season, while inland / quieter northeast-coast markets such as Palm Coast show gentler seasonality and different demand windows. Below I break down the patterns, explain the implications for landlords and tenants, and give a clear, calendar-ready playbook for when — and how — to make you

Moving into a new place is exciting — and stressful. One smart way to protect yourself (tenant or owner) and avoid disputes later is a Move-In Evidence Kit: a short, systematic video walkthrough recorded within the first 72 hours plus a written/photo inventory that documents condition, appliances, fixtures, and any damage. Below I’ll explain the why, the how (step-by-step), and give property-type specific examples for a Boca condo, a Deerfield townhouse, and a Palm Coast sing

When moving into a Florida home—whether in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, or Palm Coast—setting up utilities is one of the first practical steps to ensure a smooth transition. While electric service in all three areas is handled by Florida Power & Light (FPL), water and sewer services differ depending on the city. 1. Electricity: Florida Power & Light (FPL) Florida Power & Light (FPL) is the primary electricity provider for a large portion of Florida, including cities such as B

Why landlords request proof of insurance Landlords routinely require tenants (especially long-term tenants, vacation rental tenants, or those leasing whole properties) to provide proof of insurance coverage or name the landlord as an additional insured. The reasons include: Ensuring the unit/house is insured in case of damage (fire, windstorm, vandalism) which could otherwise expose the landlord’s investment. Protecting against liability claims (guest injuries, property damag

Living near Florida water — whether it’s the Atlantic surf in Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach or the quieter canals of Palm Coast — changes what you should expect from renter’s insurance. Standard renters policies are useful and inexpensive, but they have important gaps that matter more the closer you live to the water. Below I explain what typical policies do and don’t cover, how coastal geography (oceanfront vs. canal) changes your risk and your premium, and exactly what to

Rethinking the Traditional Security Deposit in Florida For many years, landlords have relied on security deposits as a financial safeguard against unpaid rent, property damage, or lease defaults. But in recent years, evolving tenant expectations, increased competition for quality renters, and changes in state law have encouraged landlords to explore alternatives  that reduce move-in cost burdens while still protecting the property owner. For landlords in Palm Beach, Broward,

Renters who move around South Florida quickly learn that the headline rent is only part of the math. “Junk fees” — non-rent charges added at application, move-in, or during tenancy — can tack hundreds (or even thousands) onto the first month’s outlay. Below I compare the patterns you’re likely to see in Boca Raton / Deerfield Beach condo rentals versus single-family homes in Palm Coast, explain why the differences exist, and offer practical steps to avoid surprises. Boca Rato

What Is the Live Local Act? The Live Local Act , enacted on July 1, 2023 , is one of Florida’s most significant housing initiatives in recent decades. Designed to expand access to affordable and workforce housing , the law aims to encourage private developers to build and maintain rental units that are attainable for middle-income workers—such as teachers, nurses, and first responders—who often earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing yet still struggle wit

As Florida continues to refine its landlord-tenant laws, renters in Palm Beach, Broward, and Flagler counties should pay attention to several changes and proposed amendments that may affect their rights, notice periods, deposits, disclosures, and protections. While Florida law largely preempts local ordinances in the residential rental sphere, local implementation and county/city practices can cause variation in how changes play out on the ground. Below are key developments i

Florida is well known for sun, sand, and sea—but increasingly, it’s the state’s lifestyle and culture that are driving its real estate...

Florida is well known for its sunshine, beaches, and vibrant tourism—but the state’s homes and living spaces often tell equally vivid...