New Florida Law Criminalizes Rental Application Fraud

As of October 1, 2026, Florida landlords have a powerful new tool to combat rental application fraud. House Bill 1293, signed into law earlier this year, establishes that providing materially false information or forged documents—such as fake pay stubs, bank statements, or falsified identification—to secure a residential lease is now a third-degree felony.

For property managers and owners, this change simplifies the enforcement process when fraud is discovered. Under the new statute, landlords are authorized to issue a 7-day notice to vacate. Unlike other lease violations, this specific infraction does not require the landlord to provide the tenant with an opportunity to correct or 'cure' the violation, allowing for immediate eviction proceedings upon the expiration of the notice period.

Industry experts recommend that landlords and property management firms review their current application procedures and lease language to ensure they are prepared to handle these cases. By implementing robust income verification and identity authentication tools, owners can better protect their properties and utilize this new legal framework to deter fraudulent applicants.