Student Legal Services

Asian American Student Assembly. SLS had a great time!

We are beginning to see intakes where Sweetwater tenants are being asked to sign addenda related to the construction delays. Please DO NOT sign aything until you have met with your free attorneys at UF Student Legal Services. They CANNOT make you sign anything, impose a "deadline," etc.

We are aware that the apartment complex UFORA is experiencing construction delays and was not ready for occupancy on the commencement date of numerous leases. In early July of 2023, UFORA gave tenants two options to resolve the issue: either accept alternative housing that they would provide (along with a per diem stipend) or accept $600/week until occupancy was allowed. Rent was to be abated until occupancy was allowed under the second option. There is also a provision in the lease that terminates the lease if occupancy cannot be granted within 60 days of the anticipated start date of the lease.

UFORA apparently continues to be unable to provide occupancy to their tenants on the commencement date of the leases. UFORA has now sent residents a document title “Addendum To Lease” dated July 28, 2023, and told the tenants that they must sign the addendum if they accepted the option of receiving $600/week as compensation for the delays. UFORA is attempting to force the tenants to sign the addenda immediately (by today, July 31, 2023), apparently under the threat that they will refuse to make the agreed-upon $600/week payments if they fail to sign the document.

We have had numerous requests for legal services arising out of this matter (and we know that other UF offices have received numerous enquiries). We can only give legal advice to individuals after meeting with them and taking into consideration their particular circumstances. But we can share some general legal rules that might help you at this time, since UFORA is apparently attempting to coerce a hasty decision from so many tenants.

A lease is a binding contract that both the tenant and the landlord must abide by. If the landlord and tenant entered into a new agreement, by mutual consent, such as the agreements that were entered into to compensate for the landlord’s failure to deliver possession of the premises at the beginning of the lease, that is now a part of the binding contract between the parties. The landlord does NOT have the ability to force tenants to sign an “Addendum” that modifies the existing contract. A quick reading of this addendum makes it apparent that UFORA is attempting to modify the existing contracts between the parties. They do not have the right to make such a change unilaterally and tenants do not have to “agree” to any change.

For any UF student affected by this situation, we urge you to go to our website and apply for services. Homepage -

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu Open during regular business hours The Student Legal Services Office in the Reitz Union is now open during regular business hours. SLS staff will continue to support students and assist with cases through your choice of teleconference , zoom, or in-person appointments. We can be reached at sls@ufsa....

Parents and students, UF Student Legal Services has been informed that UFORA is attempting to get students to sign a new addendum. DO NOT SIGN THIS ADDENDUM. You will waive very important rights. They cannot force you to sign. Please contact studentlegalservices.ufl.edu before you do anything.

Homepage - studentlegalservices.ufl.edu Open during regular business hours The Student Legal Services Office in the Reitz Union is now open during regular business hours. SLS staff will continue to support students and assist with cases through your choice of teleconference , zoom, or in-person appointments. We can be reached at sls@ufsa....