Florida Will Criminalize Rental Application Fraud
Starting October 1, 2026, using falsified documents to secure a rental home will be a third-degree felony in Florida.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Apartments
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Should states make falsifying rental applications a felony to combat housing fraud?
Beginning October 1, 2026, Florida House Bill 1293 will classify the knowing use of forged documents or identity information to obtain rental housing as a third-degree felony. The law is designed to address widespread concerns over sophisticated document fabrication in the rental market.
Why it matters
Fraudulent applications create financial instability for apartment communities and can displace qualified renters from available housing. The law provides a new legal tool to combat the increasing use of artificial intelligence to generate fake financial records.
A survey conducted between late 2023 and early 2024 found that 93.3% of 75 industry respondents encountered rental fraud. Under the new statute, landlords may issue a seven-day notice to vacate to any tenant discovered to have obtained their lease through fraudulent means.
The players
Florida Governor
The state executive who signed House Bill 1293 into law in June 2026.
The details
The law specifically targets the intentional use of forged documents or identity theft to secure a dwelling. It distinguishes between criminal intent and ordinary application errors, meaning accidental mistakes do not qualify as a felony. If a tenant refuses to leave after the seven-day notice period, landlords must proceed through the standard legal eviction process to regain possession of the property.
Timeline
November 2023 to January 2024: Industry fraud survey conducted.
June 2026: Governor signed House Bill 1293 into law.
October 1, 2026: House Bill 1293 officially takes effect.
The Home Front
Florida House Bill 1293 updates the state housing landscape by introducing criminal penalties for deceptive leasing practices. This legislative change mirrors a growing trend of stricter state-level oversight in response to AI-enabled document fraud.
Renters should ensure all provided financial and identity documentation is accurate and verifiable to avoid potential legal complications. When applying for a new unit, prepare official original documents rather than relying on digital copies that may be flagged as suspicious.
The takeaway
This law increases the stakes for accuracy in the rental application process. Renters should double-check that all income and identification records submitted to landlords are authentic and up-to-date before signing any lease agreements.
Further reading
For more on managing residential lease requirements, visit our guide to Apartments.
Live Poll
Should states make falsifying rental applications a felony to combat housing fraud?
