Starting next Wednesday, Florida will make it a felony to deliberately use false identities, forged documents, or impersonate another person to obtain rental housing.
The measure, known as HB 1293, goes into effect on October 1 and significantly transforms the leasing market rules in the state.
The governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation on June 12 after its unanimous approval in both chambers: 110 votes in favor and none against in the House of Representatives, and 34 in favor with zero against in the Senate.
The law establishes a new criminal offense under section 817.537 of the Florida Statutes: “fraudulent entry into a residential unit.”
What behaviors does the new law punish?
HB 1293 defines three specific behaviors as fraud in the rental process.
The first is to submit a materially false written statement about one's own identity in a lease application.
The second involves delivering to the owner falsified, fictitious, or altered documents. The law expressly mentions driver's licenses, identification cards, bank statements, and payment receipts.
The third option is to impersonate another person whose name appears on the application, either to sign the contract or to take possession of the property.
A key element: the law requires that the conduct be carried out knowingly and intentionally. An accidental mistake on a form does not constitute a crime under this law.
The penalties: up to five years in prison and a fine of $5,000
The fraudulent entry into a residential property is classified as a third-degree felony, a category that in Florida can lead to a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, depending on the circumstances of the case and the criminal history of the convicted individual.
Florida already had criminal offenses related to fraud and document forgery. The HB 1293 creates a provision specifically aimed at the fraudulent acquisition of a residential property, addressing a legal gap that the rental industry had been highlighting.
Civil consequences: the owner can terminate the contract without giving a deadline for correction
The law is not limited to the criminal sphere. It also modifies the rules regarding the termination of rental contracts, with direct consequences for tenants.
Typically, certain breaches of a lease agreement grant the tenant the opportunity to rectify the violation before the landlord can terminate the contract.
The HB 1293 eliminates this possibility when the housing was obtained through fraud: the fraudulent entry is classified as a non-remediable breach.
The owner may deliver a written notice of contract termination directly, and the tenant will have seven days to vacate the property.
Moreover, civil proceedings can be initiated even if there is no criminal charge or conviction yet: the law itself states that termination occurs "regardless of whether criminal proceedings have been initiated."
Why it was approved: Fraud impacts working families
The Florida Apartment Association (FAA) publicly endorsed the regulation.
In a statement reported by Florida Politics and cited by Infobae, the organization argued: "When scammers obtain affordable housing for which they do not qualify, they reduce access for working families and individuals who do meet the requirements for those limited housing options."
The FAA also warned that "tenants who commit fraud in their applications often stop paying rent, leading to costly legal processes and financial losses that can ultimately impact housing management and accessibility."
The problem has a particular impact in the area of Miami-Fort Lauderdale, where the average rent was approximately $2,277 per month in June 2026.
However, the law generates debate: according to Bay News 9, the St. Pete Tenants Union warned that felony penalties could worsen housing instability for tenants who are already facing serious affordability challenges.
What does it mean for immigrants?
The HB 1293 does not establish any immigration status requirement for renting a home, nor does it make the lack of certain documents a crime.
Presenting a legitimate foreign document is not the same as presenting a falsified identification; lacking a specific proof of income is not the same as fabricating a bank statement.
The offense is triggered only when there is deliberate fraud.
Telemundo 51's recommendation is clear: "If you do not have one of the requested documents, ask what alternatives the property owner or company accepts, but never present false documentation."
HB 1293 is part of a package of twelve laws that will take effect in Florida on October 1, which also includes changes related to traffic, gangs, drugs, and animal welfare.
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