The Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a new Rental Notices Ordinance that requires landlords to give a 60-day written notice for rent increases of more than 5%.
On Tuesday, during their regular meeting, Orange County commissioners voted unanimously for the new ordinance, which will take effect throughout all of Orange County and its 13 municipalities.
In addition to the rent increase notice, the ordinance also provides protections for residents and landlords who may not have a written lease agreement in place and pay rent on a quarterly or monthly basis.
Now, either party may terminate these residential arrangements by giving the other party no less than 60 days written notice.
“Having this ordinance in place gives tenants time to prepare and seek alternative housing in the event that they do not wish to stay where they are currently living,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings during the meeting. Demings compared the measures to similar ones in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
“As a Board, we are confident that this ordinance will further protect our Orange County residents,” added Demings.
The ordinance specifies that residents may contact 3-1-1 in order to file a complaint against a landlord or property owner who has raised the rent by more than 5% without giving the 60 days written notice.
County officials say the Rental Notices Ordinance will become effective once at some point over the next 10 days after is filed with the Florida Department of State.