Florida Renters: How Can You Prepare for an Ongoing Global Emergency?
Florida PMServices • April 20, 2020
If you’re a Florida renter wondering how you will possibly get through this current global pandemic, we want you to know that we understand and share your concerns, your anxiety, and your uncertainty. These are unprecedented times, and we hope that you and your loved ones remain healthy, safe, and calm.
At Florida Property Management Services, we are here to support the tenants renting homes from us, and to provide as many resources as we can to anyone who needs them – whether you work with us or not.
On today’s blog, we want to discuss how Florida renters can get through this current emergency and prepare themselves for any future and unexpected disasters.
What Florida Renters Should be Doing Now
Right now, you may be feeling emotional and distracted. If you’ve lost your job or seen your hours or your paycheck decrease, you’re probably stressed out financially. Even if you’ve managed to hold onto your job, you may be required to put yourself at risk every day by going out into the world to do what you’re paid to do.
Talk to your landlord or your Florida property managers. If you’re able to continue paying rent, we recommend that you do so. This will allow landlords and rental property owners to help the tenants who are truly struggling and cannot put together even a partial rental payment. Yes, there’s a temporary ban on some evictions and a delay on others. This doesn’t mean everyone should stop paying rent. If you’re still employed, we recommend that you maintain as much normalcy as possible. Pay your rent, pay your bills, and help your loved ones when you can.
If you find you are under extreme financial stress and you cannot make your next rent payment, talk to your landlord or property manager. This is not the time to shy away from uncomfortable discussions. Explain your situation and together you can put together a payment plan or work something out. If you’re working with a great landlord or a professional property manager, you will probably be able to come to a resolution that protects both you and the person who owns your home.
Preparing for the Future: Crisis Planning
It’s hard to think clearly and proactively during a crisis. But, you can use this time to make an emergency plan for the future. If something like the COVID-19 pandemic occurs again, you’ll feel a little more prepared and a little more resourceful. Some of the things that should go into your crisis plan include:
- Contact information for all state, local, and federal resources. This could include the hospital closest to you, all your medical contacts, the CDC, FEMA, and the Florida Department of Health.
- Contact information for your landlord or property manager, your renter’s insurance company, your banks and creditors, and all utility companies.
- A financial plan. Write out what you will do if you lose all your salary, part of your salary, or all your savings.
No one likes to think about worst case scenarios, but having a plan in place for them will help you handle anything that may happen, whether it’s another outbreak, a hurricane, or something equally as disruptive.
How to Be a Good Tenant During a Global Crisis
Finally, do everything you can to be a good tenant. All the stress and anxiety you feel is also being felt by the people around you. That includes your landlord. A good tenant will be open and honest. A good tenant will communicate and return phone calls and messages. A good tenant will continue to follow the terms of the lease agreement and pay rent to the best of his or her ability, even in times of crisis.
Perhaps those cosmetic repair issues can wait in order to respect social distancing orders and avoid having maintenance people in your home. Perhaps your unemployment benefits are more than you expected, and you’ll be able to pay most of your rent next month. Perhaps you can order or pick up some groceries for an older neighbor who is at a higher risk if exposed to the virus.
This is an opportunity to be a good tenant, a good citizen, and a good human.
We are here to help in whatever way we can. If you’re a Florida renter with questions, please contact us
at Florida Property Management Services.
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Welcome to this month’s Investor Newsletter. With market conditions varying widely from one metro to the next, staying informed has never been more important. This edition dives into the shift away from a one-size-fits-all housing market, highlights the hidden value of assumable mortgages, and covers the SFR headlines worth watching this month. Let’s dive in! The Death of the “National Housing Market”: Why Local Knowledge Is the New Investor Edge For years, real estate investors could rely on a familiar narrative: the housing market is hot or the market is cooling. But in 2026, that headline is becoming less and less applicable as there is no longer just one housing market. Instead, there are thousands of local markets moving at different speeds. At the national level, housing appears more balanced than it has in years. According to Realtor.com’s Housing Market Report , April contract signings rose 4.5% year over year, while new listings reached their highest level since 2022. On paper, that suggests momentum is returning, but beneath the surface, the story can change by region, metro, and even ZIP code. Realtor.com found that performance across the top 50 U.S. metros varies widely, buyer activity is picking up in some areas, while others remain slow. In fact, many of the strongest-performing housing markets in early 2026 have been concentrated in the Midwest rather than the typically strongest Sun Belt region. A recent Fortune analysis noted that affordability and home pricing are helping Midwest markets outperform many southern metros in which are now facing softer demand and rising inventory. Rental performance is becoming just as localized too. The latest SFR Index found rent growth slowing significantly compared to prior years, with standalone SFR rents increasing just 0.8% year over year nationally in February. Meanwhile, some markets continue to stabilize while others face more pressure from new supply and affordability challenges. Additionally, according to a Yardi Matrix report , areas with more new construction, particularly in parts of the Sun Belt, are seeing weaker rent growth. Local market changes often show up first in property management data. Leasing activity, renewal rates, concessions, and tenant demand tend to change at the neighborhood level long before national housing reports reflect them. One area may remain highly competitive while a nearby neighborhood sees slower leasing activity. As an investor, it may be time to look beyond national headlines and even citywide trends when evaluating markets. You may want to look at where homes are leasing fastest and which neighborhoods are seeing new supply. Competitive edge may not come from choosing the right city, but from understanding the right block. As your property management company, we are here to help, so please reach out if you have any questions about your market. Did You Know: Assumable Mortgages Everything You Need to Know in 60 Seconds! What exactly is an assumable mortgage? Instead of getting a brand-new loan, the buyer takes over (or “assumes”) the seller’s existing mortgage, including the current interest rate, remaining balance, and loan terms. Not all loans qualify, but many FHA, VA, and USDA loans do, while most conventional loans do not. Who can use this? Real estate investors, homebuyers, and sellers can all benefit. For investors, assumable loans can be attractive when today’s interest rates are much higher than the seller’s existing loan rate. On the other side, it can also be used as a major selling point. Where can investors find this? Assumable mortgages can be found nationwide, but availability depends on the financing already attached to the property. Most conventional bank loans have a "due-on-sale" clause, which means they cannot be assumed. When is the best time to use this? These loans become especially valuable when current mortgage rates are much higher than rates from previous years. Assuming a mortgage at 3% instead of getting a new loan at 7% could dramatically reduce monthly payments for investors. Why does this matter? As a buyer, an assumable mortgage can help improve cash flow, lower financing costs, and make a property more attractive to future buyers. As a seller, it acts as a massive marketing tool. Offering a built-in low interest rate allows your property to stand out. Investor Takeaway: A low-rate assumable mortgage can be a valuable opportunity when buying AND a strong selling feature when it’s time to exit an investment. SFR Trending Headlines Stay Up to Date on the Hottest SFR News & Stories Are Single-Family Rentals Climbing While Apartments Slump? The Summer Pause : Why Zillow Says the Housing Recovery Just Hit a Wall Lizzo Offloads Her Beverly Hills Compound at a Massive $4M Discount Wall Street Is Betting $15 Billion on a Brand-New Wave of Housing Supply Why Ellen DeGeneres Just Listed Her $30M Eco-Farmhouse and Left for the UK Rate Update: We've Partnered with LendingOne to Bring You The Best DSCR Rates & Terms! DSCR Loan Advantages: Rates Often Lower Than Banks No Personal Income Requirement No Tax Returns Needed Not Reported on Credit Faster Closing Times Specialized Loans for Investors Only! To Inquire about Single Family Investor loans by email us at office@properties.rent Until Next Month! The Florida Property Management Services Team
Florida HB 803 is a new law that exempts certain residential construction work valued under $7,500 from building permit requirements, effective July 1, 2026. This law aims to simplify the permitting process and reduce delays for small home improvement projects. Resources: Florida House Adam & Reese Attorneys Overview of Florida HB 803 Florida HB 803 is a new law that significantly changes the building permit requirements for residential construction in Florida. It is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Key Provisions Permit Exemption: Residential construction work valued under $7,500 is exempt from building permit requirements. Local Government Limitations: Local officials are restricted from inspecting exempted work. Temporary Structures: The law allows for certain temporary hurricane or flood protection walls to be built without a permit. Additional Changes Private Provider Authority: Expands the role of private providers in the permitting process, reducing local oversight. Homeowners' Associations: Prohibits HOAs from requiring permits for architectural reviews of proposed improvements. Permit Review Deadlines: Introduces mandatory deadlines for permit reviews, aiming to speed up the process. Important Considerations Written Request: Homeowners or contractors must submit a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency. Prohibition on Project Splitting: Projects cannot be divided into smaller components to evade the $7,500 threshold. Exclusions: The exemption does not apply to electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work. This law aims to streamline the permitting process, reduce costs, and encourage home improvement projects across Florida. Very Important to remember: Under Florida HB 803, residential construction work valued under $7,500 is exempt from building permits, except for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, which still require permits regardless of cost. The exemption also does not apply to properties in flood hazard areas
