Dear Property Owners, Tenants and Persons of Interest:
Florida Statute – NEW LEGAL REQUIREMENT - MIYA’s Law
The law is named after Miya Marcano, a Florida college student who was found dead in an Orlando apartment. Her abductor was a maintenance worker who had access to her apartment and did not have a proper background check.
As a responsible property manager or owner, it is now your legal duty and obligation to ensure that your rental properties are safe and secure for your residents, workers and leasees, and you must maintain key logs and establish policies and procedures regarding keys for everyone’s safety. To achieve your compliance, you are required to conduct proper background screening for all your current and prospective employees by an authorized company. The investigation must include criminal history, sexual offender and sexual predator searches from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and you will need to maintain proof that you have followed the law should an incident occur for your own protection. Our firm, located in Central Florida for over 50 years, can assist you to comply with this law.
Miya’s Law, became effective as of January 1, 2023 and requires all Florida landlords to conduct background checks for all tenants to verify that the property is safe in addition to other requirements concerning open code violations and similar issues. Under the law, landlords have the right to disqualify a potential employee if the applicant has been found guilty, convicted, or entered a plea of guilty to a criminal offense that involves the disregard of safety of others (i.e., a felony or misdemeanor in the first degree in Florida), or a criminal offense committed in any jurisdiction which involves violence, including, but not limited to, murder, sexual battery, robbery, carjacking, home invasions, and stalking.
It is essential you understand that conducting background screening doesn’t just protect your tenants, but it also safeguards you as a property owner. By adhering to this new law and conducting a thorough screening, you reduce the likelihood of placing an employee or tenant who may have a criminal record in a position to cause harm to other employees, tenants, or lawful guests. This not only diminishes the likelihood of legal issues and your liability, but it also helps to maintain a positive reputation for your rental property. Additionally, If you’re a tenant, you have the right to know about your safety and security where you reside, including that of your occupants and guests.
In summary, conducting a proper background screening is the law. IT IS NOT OPTIONAL! Locaters International, Inc. is a State Licensed private investigative agency that has been in business for over 50 years. It routinely conducts background investigations for property owners, landlords and tenants, as well as employees of businesses. We are able to simplify the process of your complying with this law through our automated systems. We also have polygraph services available if need be. Our staff is ready and able to help, and we can answer any questions you may have by calling us at: (386) 756-6100, extension 1113.
I look forward to assisting you and your clients.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Ari S. Morse, BAI, CII
Email: [email protected]
LOCATERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.® (FL Lic#A-0000919)
Confidential Private Investigative Services Since 1972
2435 S. Ridgewood Avenue | South Daytona, FL 32119
Phone: (386) 756-6100 EXT. 1113 | Fax: (386) 760-6400
COUNCIL MEMBER: State of Florida, Division of Licensing – Private Investigative, Recovery and Security Advisory Council
BOARD MEMBER: International Intelligence Network (INTELLENET) and Co-Chair of the Membership Committee
BOARD MEMBER: Florida Association of Private Investigators
BOARD MEMBER: Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central Florida
PAST PRESIDENT: Florida Association of Private Investigators
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER: Board of Accredited Investigators
MEMBER: FAPI, INTELLENET, CII, ASIS, BAI, APG, WAD, NCAPI, SCALI, COAL, FSG, CFGS, and others
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