Avoiding Legal Headaches with Residential Tenants
As a small landlord, you’re not just managing property—you’re running a business. Whether you have one unit or a dozen, your lease agreement is your most important legal tool. It’s what protects your income, your time, and your peace of mind.
But what happens when things go wrong? What if a tenant refuses to pay, damages your property, or won’t move out? Worse yet—what if they demand a jury trial?
If you don’t have a strong, well-drafted lease in place, the consequences can be expensive, time-consuming, and incredibly stressful.
A Lease Is More Than Paper—It’s Legal Protection
Your lease should do more than just say when rent is due. A proper residential lease lays out the ground rules:
- Rent amount and payment schedule
- Late fees and consequences of non-payment
- Maintenance responsibilities
- Guest and pet policies
- Notice periods and eviction terms
- Waivers of jury trials (when enforceable)
A solid lease ensures you have the upper hand if a dispute ever lands in court. Without it, you’re stuck trying to enforce rules that were never clearly written down—and that rarely ends well for landlords.
Yes, Your Tenant Can Ask for a Jury Trial
Here’s the part most small landlords don’t realize: if there’s a dispute and your lease doesn’t specifically waive the right to a jury trial, the tenant can legally request one.
That changes everything.
What’s the Big Deal About a Jury Trial?
- It takes months, not weeks, to resolve.
- It’s far more expensive—you’ll likely need an attorney and could rack up thousands in legal fees.
- It adds complexity and risk. Jury trials are unpredictable, and you lose the efficiency of a simple eviction hearing.
Even if you’re 100% in the right, a drawn-out trial can result in months of lost rent and major legal bills—all because your lease wasn’t tight enough.
We Sell Custom Lease Agreements for Florida Landlords
At Vaughn Law, we specialize in protecting landlords. Our attorney-drafted residential lease agreements are designed to keep you in control and out of court.
Why risk it with a free template or a lease copied from the internet? One bad clause—or missing one—could cost you thousands.
Ready to Protect Your Rental Business?
Call Vaughn Law at (727) 223-6080 to get a custom lease that works for you, not your tenant.
Let us help you stay proactive, protected, and profitable.
Written by L. Danielle Vaughn, Board Certified Real Estate Attorney