@Jay Marks
Examine owner-occupancy laws in your state.
In Washington State, any lease can be rightfully terminated if the owner ( and his or her immediate family) decides to take possession of the property and live in it. I believe that 30-days notice is that is required.
Here is the code and guidelines for eviction under owner-occupancy laws for Washington State:
The owner wishes to occupy the premises personally,
or the owner’s immediate family will occupy
the unit, and no substantially equivalent unit is
vacant and available in the same building. Immediate
family includes the owner’s spouse or
the owner’s domestic partner, and the parents,
grandparents, children, brothers and sisters of
the owner, the owner’s spouse or the owner’s domestic
partner. If the owner gives this reason to
terminate a tenancy and then fails to carry it out,
he or she may be subject to a civil penalty of up
to $2,500. A tenant whose tenancy is terminated
for this reason has a private right of action if he
or she feels an owner has failed to comply with
these requirements.
Most states have an owner-occupancy clause with the Landlord-Tenant Laws. Inquire as to Florida's laws, and have an attorney handle all contact with the tenant.
This is business and business only. Don't take it personally.
