As of October 1, a whole new wave of laws is taking effect across Florida. One of the biggest changes is related to housing, where renters lying their way into a home could now face a felony charge.
Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis back in June, House Bill 1293 changes how the state handles rental application fraud, such as tweaking a pay stub or borrowing someone’s identity to get approved for a rental. It establishes the crime of “fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit” and makes it a third-degree felony.
What does HB 1293 do?
If an applicant “knowingly and willfully” takes possession of a rental property using falsified information, they can face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Examples of this include forging documents like altered bank statements or fake IDs, in addition to applying under a fabricated name and making false written statements on the application.
The measure also amends landlord tenant laws to classify this type of rental fraud as a “non-curable” violation without allowing tenants the opportunity to correct it. A landlord may then give written notice to terminate the rental agreement and the tenant has seven days to vacate the premises.
As CBS12 News Palm Beach reports, “The law does not authorize landlords to bypass Florida’s legal eviction process or physically remove a tenant themselves. It says a landlord may pursue the lease termination regardless of whether criminal proceedings have begun.”
If you’d like to learn more about the measure, visit the Florida Senate site here.
