Here's a couple of PDF's on landlord tenant laws and responsibilties in your state. I believe at the bottom of the first one there is an 800 number you might want to call.

http://www.law.ufl.edu/lic/guides/florida/Landlord.pdf

http://www.computerageconcepts.com/h...-TenantLaw.pdf

Personally, I would refuse to sign/initial any portion of a lease that removes my right for legal resolution of an issue with a landlord, that's rediculous. As well as far as exterior maintenance of the unit, I highly doubt you can be held responsible unless it's proven you or a guest of yours did the damage. It is the landlord's property, I would assume your state would recognize his responsibility to maintain it and your responsiblity to be a good tenant by not damaging or allowing it to be damaged.

I would be on the phone today finding out if this lease is over the line on a number of issues.