Florida HB 1293: Tax Exemptions and Tax Credits

Bill Text

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

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An act relating to fraudulent entry of residential 2
dwellings; creating s. 817.537, F.S.; providing 3
definitions; creating the crime of fraudulent entry of 4
a residential dwelling unit; prohibiting a person from 5
entering into and taking possession of a residential 6
dwelling unit under specified circumstances; providing 7
a criminal penalty; amending s. 83.56, F.S.; providing 8
that fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit 9
is an act of noncompliance for which a landlord may 10
terminate a rental agreement; providing an effective 11
date. 12
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 14
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Section 1. Section 817.537, Florida Statutes, is created 16
to read: 17
817.537 Fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit.— 18
(1) As used in this section, the terms "dwelling unit," 19
"landlord," and "rental agreement" have the same meanings as 20
provided in s. 83.43. 21
(2) A person may not enter into and take possession of a 22
residential dwelling unit by knowingly and willfully: 23
(a) Making or causing to be made any materially false 24
statement, in writing, relating to the person's identity in any 25

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

rental application for a residential tenancy. 26
(b) Presenting forged, fictitious, or counterfeit 27
documents to the landlord of a residential dwelling unit, 28
including, but not limited to, a driver license, an 29
identification card, a bank statement, or a paystub. 30
(c) Impersonating another person in whose name a rental 31
application is submitted to a landlord for the purpose of 32
executing a rental agreement or taking possession of a 33
residential dwelling unit. 34
(3) A person who violates this section commits the offense 35
of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit, which is a 36
felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 37
775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 38
Section 2. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 39
83.56, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 40
83.56 Termination of rental agreement.— 41
(2) If the tenant materially fails to comply with s. 83.52 42
or material provisions of the rental agreement, other than a 43
failure to pay rent, or reasonable rules or regulations, the 44
landlord may: 45
(a) If such noncompliance is of a nature that the tenant 46
should not be given an opportunity to cure it or if the 47
noncompliance constitutes a subsequent or continuing 48
noncompliance within 12 months of a written warning by the 49
landlord of a similar violation, deliver a written notice to the 50

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

tenant specifying the noncompliance and the landlord's intent to 51
terminate the rental agreement by reason thereof. Examples of 52
noncompliance which are of a nature that the tenant should not 53
be given an opportunity to cure include, but are not limited to, 54
destruction, damage, or misuse of the landlord's or other 55
tenants' property by intentional act; an act of fraudulent entry 56
of a residential dwelling unit which violates s. 817.537(2), 57
regardless of whether criminal proceedings have commenced; or a 58
subsequent or continued unreasonable disturbance. In such event, 59
the landlord may terminate the rental agreement, and the tenant 60
shall have 7 days from the date that the notice is delivered to 61
vacate the premises. The notice shall be in substantially the 62
following form: 63
You are advised that your lease is terminated effective 64
immediately. You shall have 7 days from the delivery of this 65
letter to vacate the premises. This action is taken because 66
...(cite the noncompliance).... 67
Section 3. This act shall take effect October 1, 2026. 68