Florida Flood Disclosure Requirements for Residential Rentals
What’s Changing?
Florida has recently broadened its flood disclosure laws to increase transparency and protect renters. Under the updated law, House Bill 1015 (CS/CS/HB 1015, companion to SB 948) amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to require landlords to provide prospective tenants with a separate flood disclosure form before or at the time a rental agreement (one year or longer) is executed.
This requirement goes into effect October 1, 2025.
The disclosure must clearly state:
- Renters’ insurance does not cover flood damage—tenants are encouraged to consult their insurance agent about separate flood insurance.
- Whether the landlord is aware of flood damage to the dwelling unit during their ownership.
- Whether the landlord filed an insurance claim concerning flood damage (e.g., with the National Flood Insurance Program).
- Whether the landlord received any assistance (e.g., FEMA or otherwise) related to flood damage.
Why this matters:
If a landlord fails to properly disclose flood-related information and a tenant suffers substantial damage to personal property from flooding (defined as costs equal to 50% or more of the property’s market value), the tenant may terminate the lease and receive refunds of prepaid rent, though obligations for rent owed prior remain.
This update aligns rental disclosures with existing requirements for property sales under Florida Statute § 689.302 – which requires sellers to complete a similar flood disclosure to buyers.
How Real Property Management Blue Sky Ensures Compliance
Understanding new laws can feel overwhelming, but as your property manager, we make sure you stay protected and in full compliance. Here’s how we handle Florida’s new flood disclosure requirements on your behalf:
- We provide the correct disclosure form to every new tenant before or at lease signing, as required by law.
- We document delivery and acknowledgment of the form, so you have a record showing compliance.
- We track effective dates and updates to Florida statutes to ensure your leases always reflect current requirements.
- We educate tenants about what the disclosure means, including clarifying that standard renter’s insurance does not cover flood damage.
- We safeguard your investment by reducing the risk of disputes, penalties, or lease cancellations tied to improper disclosure.
You can be confident that these new requirements are not just met, but handled smoothly and professionally.
FAQ
If we already have renters with a lease, do we need to do anything?
While we are not required to update existing leases with the disclosure, we are updating our records for all owners that a tenants requests the disclosure and so that we are ready for the next lease.
What if only non-living areas were flooded?
We recommend disclosing just as the form is written. Read each section clearly. For example, we are aware of properties that the garage flooded but there was no damage or claims made and thus the answer would be “no” and “not” for each question.
Do I need to do anything?
RPM Blue Sky will ask you to complete a form that provides the information that we need to include the disclosure. Any changes to the information as time passes, we will update our records.
Why was this law enacted?
To protect renters and improve transparency of flood history to renters. Also, to bring alignment to disclosure laws already in place for selling homes.
Do I need to fill this out if the property has never been flooded?
Yes, the disclosure makes no exception for any property. Even a property on the 10th floor in the middle of Florida will be required.
Do I need to do this if the property is not in a flood zone?
Yes, the disclosure makes no exception for any property. Even a property on the 10th floor in the middle of Florida will be required.
