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Renters’ rights: legal expert weighs in on how to handle ongoing maintenance concerns

Jacksonville, FL. — We spoke to an Action News Jax viewer who says his screen door hasn’t locked in months and his community pool is full of debris.

Our legal expert Dale Carson explains how renters can learn from this experience.

We’re looking into your rights as a renter, after an Action News Jax viewer reached out to us with concerns over the safety of his apartment.

A portion of Carlos Simanca’s lease at the Avenues says he must note all defects, or the apartment is assumed to be clean and safe.

He says he’s tried, but his concerns aren’t being addressed.  

Simanca explained he’s been living at in his apartment since May of 2020.  

He took a video of his community pool, which shows it’s full of debris.

He says won’t go near it.

“It’s a source of infection,” he told Action News Jax in Spanish.

We spoke to Action News Jax legal expert Dale Carson about Simanca’s situation.

“You can’t have a pool that doesn’t meet minimum health standards,” he said.

Carson said Simanca could report this to the health department.  

In September, Simanca says he sent this work order to get his screen door fixed.

This email he sent us shows a response in February from the company saying they were working on it.

I called the leasing office to confirm this, but there was no answer so Action News Jax left a voicemail.

Still, Simanca’s screen door doesn’t lock.

“The problem that I have is the lack of responsibility on behalf of these people because I have an open door and I have a dog that can get out at any moment,” Simanca explained. “We love our pets,” Carson said. “So, that is a concern that should be brought fully to the attention of the landlord.” Carson says renters can pay to fix this on their own and potentially deduct this from their rent.

But Simanca says he’s on a tight budget, and he wants the property owners to step up.

“I just want justice,” he emphasized.

Action News Jax is still waiting to hear back from the leasing company.  

Carson also suggest renters who have concerns should seek free legal aid to find out how to remedy their concerns and issues