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Signed into law⏱ In effect since October 1, 2026CS/HB 1293 · 2026 session

Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwellings

New felony for renting homes through identity fraud; landlords get 7-day termination

Approved by Governor · Chapter 2026-143
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Florida Statutes affected

s. 83.56Termination of rental agreement.
s. 817.537

Side-by-side: current law vs. the bill

s. 817.537, F.S.

Current law

New section — not in current law.

As enacted

817.537 Fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit.—

(1) As used in this section, the terms "dwelling unit," "landlord," and "rental agreement" have the same meanings as provided in s. 83.43.

(2) A person may not enter into and take possession of a residential dwelling unit by knowingly and willfully:

(a) Making or causing to be made any materially false statement, in writing, relating to the person's identity in any rental application for a residential tenancy.

(b) Presenting forged, fictitious, or counterfeit documents to the landlord of a residential dwelling unit, including, but not limited to, a driver license, an identification card, a bank statement, or a paystub.

(c) Impersonating another person in whose name a rental application is submitted to a landlord for the purpose of executing a rental agreement or taking possession of a residential dwelling unit.

(3) A person who violates this section commits the offense of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit, which is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

s. 83.56, F.S.

Current law

83.56 Termination of rental agreement.—

(2) If the tenant materially fails to comply with s. 83.52 or material provisions of the rental agreement, other than a failure to pay rent, or reasonable rules or regulations, the landlord may:

(a) If such noncompliance is of a nature that the tenant should not be given an opportunity to cure it or if the noncompliance constitutes a subsequent or continuing noncompliance within 12 months of a written warning by the landlord of a similar violation, deliver a written notice to the tenant specifying the noncompliance and the landlord's intent to terminate the rental agreement by reason thereof. Examples of noncompliance which are of a nature that the tenant should not be given an opportunity to cure include, but are not limited to, destruction, damage, or misuse of the landlord's or other tenants' property by intentional act or a subsequent or continued unreasonable disturbance. In such event, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement, and the tenant shall have 7 days from the date that the notice is delivered to vacate the premises. The notice shall be in substantially the following form:

You are advised that your lease is terminated effective immediately. You shall have 7 days from the delivery of this letter to vacate the premises. This action is taken because ...(cite the noncompliance)....

As enacted

83.56 Termination of rental agreement.—

(2) If the tenant materially fails to comply with s. 83.52 or material provisions of the rental agreement, other than a failure to pay rent, or reasonable rules or regulations, the landlord may:

(a) If such noncompliance is of a nature that the tenant should not be given an opportunity to cure it or if the noncompliance constitutes a subsequent or continuing noncompliance within 12 months of a written warning by the landlord of a similar violation, deliver a written notice to the tenant specifying the noncompliance and the landlord's intent to terminate the rental agreement by reason thereof. Examples of noncompliance which are of a nature that the tenant should not be given an opportunity to cure include, but are not limited to, destruction, damage, or misuse of the landlord's or other tenants' property by intentional act; an act of fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit which violates s. 817.537(2), regardless of whether criminal proceedings have commenced; or a subsequent or continued unreasonable disturbance. In such event, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement, and the tenant shall have 7 days from the date that the notice is delivered to vacate the premises. The notice shall be in substantially the following form:

You are advised that your lease is terminated effective immediately. You shall have 7 days from the delivery of this letter to vacate the premises. This action is taken because ...(cite the noncompliance)....

Official bill page ↗

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