Applying and moving in
Renting a condo, an apartment or a house in South Florida
Renting a condo here usually means an individual owner plus an association that has to approve you, while a managed complex means an office, posted policies and staff on call. A house gets you space and more of the upkeep. Florida law draws a similar line, since in apartments and condos the landlord owes pest control, locks, garbage, heat and hot water unless you agree otherwise in writing.
Updated Last checked 3 min read
Quick answer
- Condo: owner as landlord, association approval, building rules, amenities.
- Apartment: management office, set criteria, maintenance on call.
- House: yard, more room, and often lawn, pool or pest care in the lease.
- Apartments and condos: pests, locks, garbage, heat and hot water are the landlord's unless the lease says otherwise in writing.
On this page
Side by side
| Topic | Condo | Apartment complex | House |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your landlord | Usually one owner | A management company | Usually one owner |
| Extra approval | Often the association | Rarely | Sometimes an HOA |
| Repairs | Owner, plus association for common areas | On-site maintenance | Owner, with some upkeep shifted to you |
| Pets | Owner's rules plus the building's | Posted pet policy and fees | Owner's rules, plus any HOA |
| Storm prep | Building handles common areas | Management handles it | Often you, per the lease |
| Move-in timing | Association timeline can add weeks | Quick once approved | Quick unless there is an HOA |
Renting a condo
Most condos for rent here belong to individual owners, which means a person reads your application and can weigh a good explanation. The building is the other half of the deal. The association may need to approve you, can charge up to $150 per applicant for it, and sets rules on parking, pets, move-in hours and how often units can be leased. Condo and HOA approval walks through that step. In return you get the building's pool, gym and front desk.
Repairs split two ways. Inside the unit it's the owner. Roofs, elevators, hallways and the pool belong to the association, so a leak from the unit above can involve both.
Renting in an apartment complex
A managed complex runs on routine: an office, a maintenance request system, and screening criteria applied the same way to everyone. That helps when your file is clean and hurts when it has a story, since there's often no one with authority to listen.
Renting a house
A house trades the shared wall for a yard and more of the upkeep. Under section 83.51, a single-family home or duplex lease can shift duties to you in writing, like pest control, lawn care, pool service or changing AC filters, and the extermination and garbage duties that apartment landlords carry don't apply automatically. Read the maintenance section line by line and price in the services you'll be paying for.
Storm season lands on you too. Ask where the shutters are stored, who puts them up, and whether the house has impact windows. Hurricane season for renters has the questions to ask.
Which one fits
- With a fresh start on credit or income, an individual condo or house owner will often read your whole story.
- On a tight job-move timeline, an apartment complex skips the association calendar.
- With a big dog, a house without an HOA is usually the easiest yes.
- For a pool and a gym without maintaining either, look at condos and complexes.
Questions people ask
Is it better to rent a condo or an apartment in Florida?
If your application has a story to tell, a condo owner who reads it personally is often the better bet. If you need to move fast and your file is clean, a complex skips the association calendar.
Who is responsible for pest control in a rented house in Florida?
It depends on the lease. For a single-family home or duplex, section 83.51 lets the lease put pest control on you in writing.
Who fixes a leak from the condo upstairs?
Tell your landlord and the building's management office in writing right away, and photograph the damage. Repairs to your unit are your landlord's job, the owners and the association settle who pays, and your renters insurance is what covers your own damaged belongings.
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Words in this guide
Sources
- Florida Statutes, section 83.51: Landlord's obligation to maintain premisesleg.state.fl.us
- Florida Statutes, section 718.112: Bylawsleg.state.fl.us
Checked against these sources on by Rentvana Editorial. If something has changed, email hello@rentvana.com and we'll fix it.
Questions?
Call 888-601-8344 to talk to a licensed agent, or email hello@rentvana.com and one gets back to you within 1 hour, 8am to 9pm. Renters never pay Rentvana.