Leasing Resources
Annual and long-term leases
- Leasing properties for a year or longer gives you several advantages. Besides the
avoidance of all the trauma and expense of moving into and out of a place, you
generally pay less per month than you would with a short-term lease. With a long-term
lease you are not subject to Florida sales tax and county Tourist Development tax.
- These days some folks are choosing to lease instead of buy while waiting for the real
estate market to stabilize, especially when it comes to finding financing. Being in the
area for a good while also gives you time to make an unhurried decision on the property
that will become your home.
- Most long-term leases require the first and last month's rent, and a security deposit,
prior to move-in. The rent is then paid monthly.
Seasonal rentals
- Florida has always been popular as a winter getaway for folks who live further north.
Leasing a condominium, townhouse, or single-family home for a few months can be
more economical than spending the time in a hotel. Often, you can find a place that is
fully furnished to a standard higher than most hotels, and you have the added privacy
and conveniences of a home. If the rental is for less than six months and a day, it is
subject to Florida sales tax and county Tourist Development tax.
- Seasonal rentals are usually paid in full for the entire lease term prior to move-in, in
addition to a security deposit.
Monthly rentals
- I generally don't handle rentals of less than three months. Many condominium
associations do not allow the owners to lease their units for a term shorter than this.
Additionally the owners may be restricted to no more than one rental per year, so it is
not advantageous for them to lease short-term instead of seasonal.
If you need a place for a month or less, you are often better off to use a hotel or motel.
