Did My Landlord Violate The Terms Of The Lease By Delaying My Move In Time?

Location: Gainesville Fl

According to the terms of my lease, my move in date and time are listed as today, 8/09/2025, 10:00am.

Yesterday, 08/08/2025, at 11:16am, I texted my landlord (property company) to express excitement about moving in and inquire when I’d receive the door code to gain entry/possession of the unit. At 11:33am I received a call from two of the property managers. They informed me that I would not be able to gain access to the unit until sometime AFTER 5:00pm on 8/9/2025 due to a damaged part of a wall they were having fixed. I expressed how the delay was not only inconvenient, but it was extremely inconsiderate to not inform me of this issue prior to less than 24hrs of my, clearly stated, move-in day/time.

Time is my most valuable commodity. I work 50+ hours a week in the social services field. I am often out, in the field, until well after dark. The weekend is the only time I have to actually move. They robbed me of a HUGE portion of that time, and only informed me of the issue after I contacted them.

I then signed an addendum to the lease, after requesting a prorated day. The addendum stated that I could gain access/possession after 5:00pm, today. I reached out to the property manager at 5:30pm, who told that they weren’t sure if the workers were done, but they would get back to me soon. I informed said property manager that i was on my way there either way and would await notification of the entry code.

I arrived at the property at approximately 5:40pm. When my friend and I got to the door, we were greeted by one of the property managers, who appeared to have been cleaning up. Once entering the unit I noticed the floors were still wet and there were footprints in many places. I also observed paint splatter, splotches and drips on the floors, counters, and ceilings. Who ever painted the unit, painted over the power outlets as well, which is definitely NOT SAFE.

When I brought this to the attention of the property manager on site, he stated it could be fixed but they were hurrying so as to not further inconvenience me. I stated that the unit was not acceptable as it is. Especially with the safety issue of painted electrical sockets. I was told that the work could be done but not until at least Monday. I was then told that I could move in anyway and I stated that it was not feasible since the painters would need to touch up most of the apartment, especially the ceiling, which would likely result in paint being splattered and dripped on my belongings. The property manager then replied that they wouldn’t have to touch up everywhere so it would be fine. I replied that the paint was messed up in every room and that the electrical sockets were painted over and likely filled with paint, which is a hazard.

I then requested, while the property manager was still on the premises, that my move-date be changed to next Saturday since there was no way for me to be able to move my things in until after the paint and electrical issues were addressed. He stated that he would confer with the other property manager and get back to me. I then left, while the property manager was still in the unit, taking pictures of things.

I contacted the property managers again, after not hearing anything from them, at 7:07 pm. I informed them, again, in writing of the issues and asked them how we could remedy the situation. They later replied, by email, that non of the issues were safety concerns nor did they deem the property uninhabitable and that I could feel free to contact their office on Monday to further discuss.

My move in costs were 2400. They also required me to have the utilities turned on yesterday, along with having rental insurance to start today. These are all added costs that I’m paying without actually having moved a single thing into the unit.

Does this constitute a violation of the lease?