Florida Rental Law: Can a new property manager take over our security deposit & do a claim?

[wattekinson86]

We have been renting 11 months directly from the owner who lives in Canada (which we found was illegal in our county without a property manager). We had NUMBEROUS documented issues with maintenence, condition upon move in, etc. We gave notice that we are moving at lease end and were notified there will be a property manager when we leave who wants to do a security claim. I find this unfair as there was no initial pictures or report done when we moved in and she has no idea what condition the house was in. Not to mention we had to endure 11 months with no management and had to fend for ourselves in regards to repairs, etc. Is it even legal for her to do a security claim on the owner's behalf at this point or have any control over where the money goes? The lease agreement is between the owner and I.

[curran]

Florida law does not require a landlord to do a move in inspection. It is up to the tenant to document (photo's are the best) the condition.

If the manager is acting as the agent of the landlord, it is perfectly legal for him/her to do a move out inspection.