State Specific Question About: FLORIDA (FL)

So - I've had this quadruplex for 12yrs now, and for the first time, I have lost a tenant to bad health - really bad. She was only 64, and went down hill rapidly, due to an unfortunate convergence of issues. She was with me since Aug. 2011

The last few months she had trouble keeping up with her rent , with her added medical expenses, thus she died owing a few months back rent. She has no close relatives, so one other kindly tenant in the building took on being assigned next-of-kin, and helping to make decisions, when the sickly woman went to Hospice this past Saturday, and is arranging for the disposal of the body.

The apartment is, of course full of furniture,belongings and such. Any idea what recourse I have, or who to contact ? Am I plumb outta luck here ?

Most likely scenario: There are no assets, and you are out of luck. If there are no assets, there is no reason for anyone to open probate.

If there are assets and family or friends wanting those assets, someone will open probate, and you can file a claim in the probate for the back rent.

But probably, you are out of luck.

I haven't ever lost a tenant like this before, so this post is interesting enough to get me thinking. Off hand, I'd probably be keeping in touch with my tenants and once I saw rent starting to fall behind, I would have pursued what was owed then.

Yes, you probably were a charity in this case. And as you said, probably out of luck. Next time if you want to get paid or (as in this case) avoid loss of several month's rent, file for possession once rent is late. May sound heartless, but you can bet anyone else who provided her any type of goods or services during that time period--unless they were charity or a govt program--expected to be paid, so why not you?

FL may be different than MO

I had tenant pass away a while back. Had no relative that anyone knew of except a dad she had not contacted for several years. State automatically took over doing their probate thingy. She had nothing anyone knew of. Probate told me I could not go into the property or do anything with it. It was winter and I told them I was going in and taking care of my property. I told Probate if I didn’t try to minimize damages then insurance would not cover anything. They relented and I was allowed to go in and winterize property. That was all. It sat empty for about 3 months. Probate found out (somehow) she had an insurance policy. I had put my name in as claiming rent. All said and done I received total of amount of rent she owed me plus the time probate had control of property.

Lynn, NO ONE will protect your income except YOU. YOU are the one who must keep this moving so you can re-rent.

DO NOT let the apt sit.

Did the friend have Power of Attorney? Access to legal info?

Dig thru her files for info.

Ask the funeral home for guidance on possible life ins to pay the debt. I'd be shocked if you got any money.

The times we've done this, the belongings really aren't worth much.

To CYA you might move the stuff the a storage unit to prove you handled it responsibly.

I have had a tenant die. This is what you have to do in FL.

1. If the tenant is behind in rent, you can do a 3 day notice and file for eviction.

2. Do not let anybody into the property, unless that person is execeture of the estate.