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Lease Tutorial

Welcome to the Lease Orientation Tutorial for the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA). We're glad to welcome you our housing programs, and we look forward to assisting you and your family during your time with us.

What is a Lease?

Your lease is your contract is between the housing authority and you. It explains what we expect from you and what you can expect from us.

The lease covers important topics that will govern the legal and contractual relationship between you, the resident (also known as the "tenant") and the landlord (the St. Petersburg Housing Authority).

Here's some of the basics...

  • Only those who are listed on the lease may live in the apartment.  If you have a new child or want someone else to move in, you must notify SPHA management.
  • Your lease also requires that you report any changes in your family income immediately.
  • Your lease requires you to keep the apartment and any outdoor areas clean.
  • It also states that you are responsible for the conduct of your guests.

Please make sure that you review all of your lease in its entirety. You are responsible for abiding to all of the elements in your lease, regardless of whether that topic is discussed in this tutorial.

 

Security Deposit

  • You agree to pay SPHA a refundable Security Deposit when you sign the lease.
  • SPHA will use the Security Deposit, at the termination of your lease, to pay:
    • the cost of any rent not validly withheld or deducted pursuant to applicable law
    • the cost of repairing any damages caused by you, household members, guests and/or visitors, reasonable wear and tear excluded
    • any other charges due pursuant to the terms of the lease

Your apartment should be in the same condition when you leave. Any damage to the apartment, other than normal wear and tear, will lead to charges that will be deducted from your Security Deposit.

After you move out, SPHA shall notify you, in accordance with applicable laws, if SPHA intends to make a claim from the Security Deposit, together with a statement of costs and/or damages associated therewith.

Your security deposit may not be used as payment of the final month's rent.

 

Rent Terms

  • You agree to pay rent per month, payable in advance and without demand, on the first day of each month without offset or deduction.
  • Rent is considered late if not paid by the fifth of the month, and a late fee will be applied.

 

Length of Tenancy

  • The term of your lease is twelve months unless otherwise modified or terminated.
  • Your rent will remain in effect throughout each successive term unless adjusted in accordance with the terms of your lease.
  • Adjustments to your rent will be made by written notice to you or by executing a new lease agreement or an amendment to your lease, at SPHA's option.
  • SPHA tax credit or Affordable Housing properties: Your lease does not automatically renew.
  • SPHA Public Housing properties: Your lease does automatically renew.

Nonetheless, you must abide by the tenant obligation in order to remain in compliance with your lease and maintain your housing.

 

Tenant Obligations

Your obligations, as a resident, are to:

  • Pay your rent on time each month.
  • Report to SPHA all changes of income or household composition within 10 days.
  • Complete the annual recertification process each year, on time. Failure to complete the recertification process could result in the termination of your tenancy.
  • Maintain your unit in safe and proper conditions:
    • Maintain housekeeping in your unit:
      • For the health and safety of your family and your neighbors your apartment must be kept clean at all times. Any outdoor areas assigned to your exclusive use must also be kept in clean and safe conditions. This includes cleaning all equipment like the stove, refrigerator, and your bathrooms. Regularly cleaning your apartment, especially the kitchen and bathrooms should help prevent the invasion of rodents or insects.
    • Submit Maintenance / Work Order Requests when there are items in your unit that need repairs:
      • We will try our best to get your maintenance and repairs done in a timely fashion.
      • Work orders are completed in the order in which they are received and priority is given to emergencies.
      • Unless your issue is an emergency, it may take some time for us to get to your request, but we promise we will get to it as quickly as we can.
  • Respect the property. Don't damage, destroy, or deface any part of your unit or the community.
  • Respect others. Don't engage in physical or verbal behavior that threatens the health, safety, or peaceful enjoyment of other residents.
  • DO NOT engage in criminal activity. You, your household members, and your guests must not engage in criminal activity. This includes violent or drug-related activity on or off the property.
    • SPHA has a very close relationship with the St. Petersburg Police Department, and they will keep us informed of criminal matters related to our properties.
    • In late 2025, the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued guidance to all housing authorities across the country, instructing them to take immediate steps to terminate tenancies of households that have engaged in criminal activity. SPHA takes those instructions seriously, and we will comply. Please make sure that all members of your household refrain from engaging in any kind of criminal activity.

 

Landlord Obligations

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority's obligations are to:

  • Explain the Lease to you, the resident.
  • Maintain the unit / make repairs to ensure that the unit is in safe, decent and sanitary condition.
  • Comply with all applicable building codes, housing codes, HUD requirements, etc.

 

Lease Termination

  • You (the tenant) must give SPHA at least 30 days' notice of your intent to vacate the unit.
  • The Landlord (the St. Petersburg Housing Authority) must follow state and federal notice laws if we seek to terminate your lease for any reason.

Lease termination is a serious process. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your Asset Manager and schedule some time for a discussion.

 

Social Services

Our Social Services team provides one-on-one support, tools, and resources that can turn your goals and dreams into reality!

  • Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS): This program is for families in our Public Housing and Project Based Voucher properties. The program allows people to work on goals while saving towards a home or other achievement.
  • Homeownership Program: This program helps our residents to pursue homeownership through classes, partnerships, and access to community resources.
  • After-School Programs: These programs offer educational opportunities and recreation, while promoting youth well-being.
  • Senior Programs: These programs help our seniors to build a sense of community, in addition to learning more about maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

 

We've finally reach the point where we can hand you the keys to your new home. And while we realize that this is a lot of information, we want you to know that staff in our management office are available to answer all of your questions. We are here to make this transition as smooth as possible, and without any further delay, welcome home!