Fraudulent Information on Rental Applications - New Florida Law
From the Law Offices of Heist, Weisse & Wolk, PLLC
We bring you this update on the Florida law from the Law Offices of Heist, Weisse & Wolk, PLLC, attorneys specializing in Florida Landlord Tenant Law, you can contract them at www.evict.com
Overview
Florida has enacted a major new law that directly impacts rental housing providers: Fraudulent rental applications are now a third-degree felony. This change gives landlords stronger tools to combat identity fraud, fake documents, and deceptive applications that have become increasingly common in the rental market.
New Felony Offense: Fraudulent Entry of a Residential Dwelling Unit
The law creates a new crime for tenants who use false, forged, or misleading information to obtain a rental unit. Examples include:
- Fake pay stubs
- Forged or altered IDs
- Synthetic or stolen identities
- False employment or income claims
Anyone who engages in these actions can now be charged with a third-degree felony.
Under the new law, "fraudulent entry" is the act of entering into and taking possession of a residential dwelling unit by giving a landlord false statements regarding identity, false identity documents, or false financial documents, or by impersonating another person.
Source: Florida Senate Bill Summary, CS/HB 1293 — Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwellings.
Non-Curable Lease Violation
Fraudulent entry is now clearly classified as a non-curable violation, meaning:
- Landlords may issue a 7-day notice to vacate
- No opportunity to correct the violation is required
- Eviction proceedings may begin immediately upon expiration of the 7-day notice.
This clarifies prior law. We were able to evict when there was fraud detected but this makes it crystal clear.
Why the Law Was Passed
Lawmakers were shown the sharp rise in rental application fraud, including:
- Fake income documents
- Identity theft
- Fraudulent employment verification
- Online document-forging services
These schemes have caused substantial financial losses for landlords and contributed to instability in rental communities. The new law aims to deter fraud and protect both property owners and legitimate renters.
What This Means for Landlords
Stronger Screening Authority
Landlords now have clearer legal backing to:
- Remove fraudulent tenants quicker
- Strengthen application screening processes
- Verify income and identity more thoroughly
Operational Adjustments
Landlords may want to heavily review and update:
- Application procedures
- Income verification methods
- ID authentication tools
- Lease language related to fraud
Effective Date
The law takes effect October 1, 2026, giving landlords time to update policies and screening procedures.
Summary
Florida's new law is one of the strongest in the country for combating rental application fraud. By elevating fraudulent applications to a felony and making it clear that it is a non-curable violation, the state is giving landlords powerful tools to protect their properties and communities.
Share this post
