[AK lawyer]

We're renting from a fellow Coastie now. We had a walk through where notes were taken. We are best friends with the previous tenants so they can testify about the credibility of the landlord. There was no lease and no deposit. I went through with a video camera and documented everything along with proof of the date I did it. Never again will I not protect myself and my family.

You appear to be making another mistake by not getting a lease. If you are still in Florida, without a lease your landord can evict you with only 15 days notice. Most other places it's 30 days.

[JudyKayTee]

I've got to join in the chorus - "We're renting from a fellow Coastie now. We had a walk through where notes were taken. We are best friends with the previous tenants so they can testify about the credibility of the landlord. There was no lease and no deposit. I went through with a video camera and documented everything along with proof of the date I did it. Never again will I not protect myself and my family."

You just didn't protect yourself and your family. You learned nothing from the NY landlord experience.

[Coastie wife]

I've got to join in the chorus - "We're renting from a fellow Coastie now. We had a walk through where notes were taken. We are best friends with the previous tenants so they can testify about the credibility of the landlord. There was no lease and no deposit. I went through with a video camera and documented everything along with proof of the date I did it. Never again will I not protect myself and my family."

You just didn't protect yourself and your family. You learned nothing from the NY landlord experience.

Ok, fair enough. So other than requesting a 30 day notice from the landlord. What else would a lease protect me from? I can't point out ANYTHING in my previous lease that worked on our behalf whatsoever. The only thing it states is how far in advance we have to give notice. If in fact, we did not have 90 days to give notice because of circumstances, we are covered under the Soldiers and Sailers Act. The old lease states the specific of deposits and rent amounts. We have no deposit here. So, if I were to request a formal lease, what should I include... rent amount and 30 notice from LL... what else? Of course I mean what isn't already covered by the law.

[ScottGem]

First, the lease will provide a term for the lease.Otherwise you are a periodic tenant and your tenancy can be terminated with 15 days notice. Second, it protects you from rent increases during the term of the lease. A lease also spells out the landlords responsibilities as well as the tenants. It will state when rent is due and any late charges.

You can find a boilerplate lease online. Here is one example: http://leaserunner.com/media/sample-...tial-lease.pdf

You can then modify it to suit.

[Coastie wife]

First, the lease will provide a term for the lease.Otherwise you are a periodic tenant and your tenancy can be terminated with 15 days notice. Second, it protects you from rent increases during the term of the lease. A lease also spells out the landlords responsibilities as well as the tenants. It will state when rent is due and any late charges.

You can find a boilerplate lease online. Here is one example: http://leaserunner.com/media/sample-...tial-lease.pdf

You can then modify it to suit.

I will concede the eviction notice procedure as well as rent agreement procedure. We do not want to be stuck in a year long lease just because of what happened the last time. As far as landlord/tenant responsibilities, Florida state statutes 83.51-83.53 echo exactly what the boiler plate leases state. We are NOT the type of people who don't pay rent and don't take care of our property or other's property. We are not only bound by state and federal laws, but by military law as well. Indebtedness can cost my husband his job and we are not willing to risk that in any way. But I do see your point about the rent increase and eviction notice... I wasn't familiar it was only 15 days in the state of Florida. It is 30 most other places. I've only lived here 1 year and it is a learning process. I appreciate the advice and will certainly put it into action. It would be to our advantage I think to at least get a 6 month lease to avoid rent increase and if all goes well, we will make the decision to sign another 6 month lease.

[ScottGem]

I will concede the eviction notice procedure as well as rent agreement procedure. We do not want to be stuck in a year long lease just because of what happened the last time. As far as landlord/tenant responsibilities, Florida state statutes 83.51-83.53 echo exactly what the boiler plate leases state. We are NOT the type of people who don't pay rent and don't take care of our property or other's property. We are not only bound by state and federal laws, but by military law as well. Indebtedness can cost my husband his job and we are not willing to risk that in any way. But I do see your point about the rent increase and eviction notice......I wasn't familiar it was only 15 days in the state of Florida. It is 30 most other places. I've only lived here 1 year and it is a learning process. I appreciate the advice and will certainly put it into action. It would be to our advantage I think to at least get a 6 month lease to avoid rent increase and if all goes well, we will make the decision to sign another 6 month lease.

If you are military and you are deployed, there is federal law that allows you to break the lease. So I wouldn't worry about that. You can also add an early termination clause to the lease.

[Coastie wife]

If you are military and you are deployed, there is federal law that allows you to break the lease. So I wouldn't worry about that. You can also add an early termination clause to the lease.

Well technically, yes. Deployment is part. But that's different than a PCS change (Permanent Change of Station). Both are covered under the Soldiers and Sailers Act. Even things such as Internet contracts, satellite TV service, etc. are covered under the act. We've had to use the act on our behalf multiple times now without any major issues. You would be surprised, however, how many LL are not aware of this law. Our LL is also military, so he knows the deal and I don't expect any issues from him as far as that is concerned. We usually get 60-90 days notice from the government about relocation assignments from the government detailer in 99% of cases

[ScottGem]

Well technically, yes. Deployment is part. But that's different than a PCS change (Permanent Change of Station). Both are covered under the Soldiers and Sailers Act. Even things such as Internet contracts, satellite TV service, etc. are covered under the act. We've had to use the act on our behalf multiple times now without any major issues. You would be surprised, however, how many LL are not aware of this law. Our LL is also military, so he knows the deal and I don't expect any issues from him as far as that is concerned. We usually get 60-90 days notice from the government about relocation assignments from the government detailer in 99% of cases

Most LLs with rentals near military bases are aware of the law, if not, maybe its finer points.

[Coastie wife]

Most LLs with rentals near military bases are aware of the law, if not, maybe its finer points.

Very true. If we had military base housing nearby, I would sure be living there and not in civilian housing