Several bills passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Scott went into effect today. Even though the state’s new laws impact an array of topics, some have a direct connection to real estate-related issues.
New Florida laws that go into effect today
SB 552 (Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness) was one of the first bills passed by the Florida Legislature. It’s actually a complex bill that lays the foundation for a comprehensive water management program for the state.Several areas of the 134-page bill align with Florida Realtors’ approach to how to preserve one of Florida’s greatest natural assets: (1) protect and restore fresh water springs; (2) give the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversight for scientifically-based water research programs; and (3) allow the DEP to oversee pollution control measures for Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee Estuary, and the St. Lucie River and Estuary.Separately, the state budget provides funding for other environmental projects: $159.7 million for Everglades restoration; $56.8 million for northern Everglades and estuaries protection; and $50 million for springs protection projects.
Sinkhole insurance
Property owners in “sinkhole alley” – Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco counties – where current available coverage only includes catastrophic loss, may now be offered protection against less serious damage.
SB 1274 (Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater) allows insurance companies to provide a new type of sinkhole insurance that covers more moderate damage, which include sunken floors and cracked walls. Under the bill, policyholders will have to prove that they made the repairs; they would not be able to collect insurance money and spend it on other expenses or purchases.
Challenges to property assessments
If a homeowner disagrees with the value placed on their property, they can challenge the assessment before their county’s Value Adjustment Board (VAB). Currently, only an attorney or “agent” may represent the property owner. However, HB 499 (Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah) expands that list of representatives to include a real estate appraiser or broker.
Faster lease approvals for members of the military
SB 184 (Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Jacksonville), a broad military/veterans affairs bill, took on a House amendment late in the session requiring landlords and condo/homeowners’ associations to approve or deny a rental application submitted by active duty service personnel within seven days.
If the application is denied, the potential tenant must be told why. If the application isn’t processed in the seven-day period, the landlord and condo/homeowners’ association must lease the unit to the service member.
“If you are handling the screenings of tenants for landlords, it’s important for you to be aware of the tenant’s service member status so you aren’t inadvertently violating this new law,” says Meredith Caruso, manager of Member Legal Communications for Florida Realtors.
