REQUIRED NOTICE OF RENTAL HOUSING RIGHTS AND RESOURCES
UNINCORPORATED HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
The REQUIRED NOTICE OF RENTAL HOUSING RIGHTS AND RESOURCES is a form that notifies the Tenant of some basic rights that they have. The form must be used in unincorporated Hillsborough County. For this Q & A, we will call it the NOTICE. Click here for the form in English Click here for the form in Spanish
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WHO MUST THE NOTICE BE GIVEN TO?
The NOTICE must be given to:
- An Applicant at the same time as the Application process prior to them paying the Application Fee
- To current Tenants
- To Tenants when renewing the lease and to Month to Month Tenants.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE NOTICE?
The NOTICE must be a printed paper copy in a font 12-pt or larger and 8.5 by 11 inches or larger or emailed to the Applicant/Tenant with the document being that size.
IS EMAIL DELIVERY OF THE NOTICE ALLOWED?
Yes. If the Applicant/Tenant has consented to receiving and signing documents electronically, then it can be emailed to the Applicant/Tenant. We recommend that you have language in your Application and online authorizing the Property Manager to email documents to the Applicant/Tenant.
MUST THERE BE BOTH AN ENGLISH AND SPANISH VERSION OF THE NOTICE AVAILABLE?
A Spanish and English version of the NOTICE must be available, but the Property Manager is not required to provide a Spanish version of the NOTICE if it is known that the Applicant/Tenant does not speak or read Spanish.
DOES THE PROPERTY MANAGER NEED PROOF IT WAS GIVEN?
Yes. The Property Manager must obtain a written, dated and signed AFFIRMATION from the Applicant/Tenant that the Applicant/Tenant received the NOTICE. If applying electronically, the Property Manager can have the Applicant/Tenant e-sign this AFFIRMATION. Click here for a sample of the AFFIRMATION.
HOW LONG SHOULD THE AFFIRMATION BE RETAINED BY THE PROPERTY MANAGER?
The signed AFFIRMATION of A. Applicants who were approved B. Not approved, and C. Existing Tenants needs to be retained for at least one year after the Tenants vacate the premises or at least one year from application if the Applicant was not approved.
SUPPOSE LEASES WERE ENTERED INTO PRIOR TO ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE DATE OF MARCH 15, 2021?
The NOTICE should be provided to all Tenants now and must be provided prior to the start of any renewal term.
WHAT ABOUT TAKEOVERS BY MANAGEMENT OF AN EXISTING LEASE OR MONTH TO MONTH?
The NOTICE must be given to the Tenants unless the Property Manager has proof the Tenants already received the NOTICE.
WHAT ABOUT MONTH TO MONTH TENANTS?
Unless the Tenants already received the NOTICE and the Property Manager has written proof of this, the NOTICE must be given to the Tenants.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES?
There is a $500 fine if the ordinance is violated. No penalties will be imposed if the Property Manager failed to comply prior to July 1, 2021. For all applicants, new Tenants and month to month Tenants, the Property Manager must be sure that the NOTICE was given, and the Property manager has PROOF.
BEST PRACTICES
Confirm that all applicants now receive the NOTICE prior to giving any Application Fees, confirm all current Tenants on a lease or on Month to Month have received the notice.
