How to Rent a House in Florida

Do you own a vacation home that you don’t spend as much time in as you anticipated? Then why not rent it out to others? It is possible to rent it as a holiday home but there are a few laws that you need to be aware of and some things to consider.

First and foremost is the property in a desirable location? Will holiday makers want to rent your home? Most people want to be near conveniences, amenities, and maybe the beach, does your home fit these requirements? Is it big enough to host larger families, does it have a pool? I’m sure most of these boxes are ticked as you brought this home for a vacation home for yourself! Also does the property need attention, all those odd jobs you were putting off need to be completed before you even consider trying to rent it out. Think about what you would expect if you were paying to rent someone else’s home, does your home fit the requirements? It’s easy to ignore the small things when it is just a home for you and your family but now that you want to rent to others you need to notice the small things.

Florida has several laws and regulations when it comes to renting out your home so be sure to find out all the information. It is recommended to enlist the services of a lawyer who specializes in this area so that you are fully aware of all the fine print. Does you home fall into a homeowner’s association, if so, there might be rules against renting it out and if these rules are broken you could face a hefty fine.

Before you start advertising your rental make sure you have the license in place, you will need a motel/hotel lodging license and this needs to be secured before you take your first booking. The property will need to be inspected to make sure it complies with safety laws, smoke detectors, pool safety, those types of things. License prices vary depending on the size of the property, location, and when the application is made.

If you live in a different state to the property you will need to consider hiring a management company, someone who can handle everything from adverts to client liaison, money handling, maintenance, and meet and greets. Having management will give you peace of mind that your property is being taken care of and ensure that things are running smoothly when you decide to take a vacation.

Insurance is a big factor; you need to make sure that your property is protected against damage. The security bond taken from clients will take care of the smaller items that might get broken that you don’t want to claim for, but you need security against the larger problems. Without the correct insurance your home could be trashed, and you are left with the bill.