If you own rental property in Florida, HB 1293 is one of the most important landlord law changes taking effect in 2026. Beginning October 1, 2026, Florida will make it a felony to fraudulently obtain possession of a residential rental using a false identity, forged documents, or impersonation.
What Is HB 1293?
HB 1293, officially titled Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwellings, creates a new section of Florida law making it a third-degree felony to obtain possession of a residential rental through identity fraud.
Doing the following will earn you a felony from October 1, 2026 onward:
- Making a materially false written statement about your identity on a rental application.
- Presenting forged, fictitious, or counterfeit documents to a landlord, including items such as driver's licenses, identification cards, bank statements, or pay stubs.
- Impersonating another person to execute a rental agreement or obtain possession of a residential dwelling.
Why Florida Created HB 1293
Rather than responding to one widely publicized case, HB 1293 appears to have been part of Florida's broader effort — including 2024's Anti-Squatter Law — to strengthen property rights and address weaknesses in existing landlord-tenant law. Legislators concluded that someone who obtained possession of a rental via fraud fell into a gray area.
HB 1293 addresses fraudulent rental applications and gives landlords a clearer civil remedy.
How HB 1293 Changes Florida Landlord-Tenant Law
The criminal penalties have received most of the attention, but the civil changes are also important. For example, HB 1293 amends Section 83.56, which governs termination of residential rental agreements.
Under the new law, fraudulent entry is considered a form of noncompliance that does not have to be cured. Meaning: a landlord may terminate the rental agreement without giving the tenant an opportunity to correct the violation. If a landlord discovers a renter moved in on a fraudulent basis, they can remove the tenant without further action.
The statute applies whether or not criminal charges have been filed. A criminal case does not need to be decided for the new law to apply.
Legislative History of HB 1293
HB 1293 moved through the Legislature quickly and with unanimous bipartisan support.
- January 8, 2026: Representative Greco filed HB 1293.
- January 28, 2026: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee unanimously approved the bill and adopted a committee substitute.
- February 3, 2026: The Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the revised bill.
- February 11, 2026: The Florida House passed HB 1293 by a vote of 110-0.
- March 6, 2026: The Florida Senate substituted its companion bill, SB 1224, and unanimously passed the House version by a vote of 34-0.
- June 12, 2026: Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 1293 into law as Chapter 2026-143.
- October 1, 2026: HB 1293 officially becomes effective.
Was HB 1293 Controversial?
No, HB 1293 was not controversial and received unanimous support.
- Criminal Justice Subcommittee: 17-0
- Judiciary Committee: 18-0
- Florida House: 110-0
- Florida Senate: 34-0
There was no significant committee opposition, major amendments, or organized lobbying campaigns against the bill. HB 1293 was largely viewed as an anti-fraud measure intended to protect property owners and strengthen the integrity of Florida's rental application process.
What Florida Landlords Should Do
HB 1293 does not change the importance of screening prospective tenants. Property owners should continue verifying:
- Government-issued identification
- Employment information
- Income documentation
- Bank statements when provided
- Previous rental history
Our advice: Watch for AI-generated or altered documents. Artificial intelligence has made it easy to create convincing-looking pay stubs, bank statements, driver's licenses, employment letters, and more. Property managers should verify important information directly with employers (via a number they can confirm through a Google search, not just any number the tenant provides), financial institutions (again, using a phone number they can confirm through a Google search), or third-party screening providers. Do not rely solely on uploaded documents.
Not sure how HB 1293 differs from Florida's squatter rules? Read our breakdown of HB 1293 vs. Florida's 2024 Anti-Squatter Law.
Professional Property Manager in Brandon, Florida
If you own investment property in the Tampa area and have questions about HB 1293 or managing your rental, the team at Vintage Real Estate Services can help you. With nearly two decades of local property management experience, we stay on top of all legal and compliance changes that affect our clients. We worry about it so you don't have to! Contact us by clicking right here.
