Starting October 1, Florida landlords must inform tenants of any known flood damage before signing leases of 12 months or longer. The law aims to help renters make informed decisions, particularly in flood-prone areas like Jacksonville’s San Marco neighborhood, and to increase landlord transparency.
Jacksonville realtor Daly Braxton called the change “a game changer,” noting that tenants often consider price, location, and home size—but rarely think about flooding until it’s too late. Under the law, if a landlord fails to provide a written disclosure and the unit floods during the lease, tenants can terminate their lease within 30 days.
Some landlords, especially those with older properties or limited records, may face challenges complying, particularly newer landlords who must research a property’s flood history. Landlords like Rachel Odell support the law, saying it encourages honesty and helps build long-term relationships with tenants.
The law applies only to leases of one year or more and officially takes effect on October 1.
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