Democratic state lawmakers have filed legislation aimed at limiting certain rental fees and giving tenants more time to resolve missed payments as Florida continues to grapple with rising housing costs.
Sen. Shevrin Jones of Miami Gardens and Rep. Dan Daley of Coral Springs announced the filing of House Bill 811, titled Rental Agreements for Residential Tenancies.
The proposal would prohibit landlords from charging certain fees and surcharges in residential lease agreements that lawmakers say disproportionately burden low-income renters. Supporters of the bill argue that some rental “probation” programs and added surcharges can create cycles of debt for tenants already struggling to afford housing.
HB 811 would also extend the notice period required before a landlord can take legal action for nonpayment of rent, increasing the timeframe from three days to five days. Lawmakers backing the measure say the change would give tenants more time to catch up on payments before facing eviction proceedings.
“Florida is one of the most severely rent-burdened states in the country,” Daley said in a statement, adding that excessive fees and surcharges often worsen financial instability for renters.
Jones said the bill is intended to bring greater fairness to Florida’s rental housing laws by limiting what he described as unnecessary penalties and expanding opportunities for tenants to resolve missed payments.
Housing affordability has remained a growing concern across Florida, where rent increases in recent years have outpaced wage growth in many communities. If approved, the legislation would apply to residential rental agreements statewide.
HB 811 will be considered during the upcoming legislative session.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and watch our weekly LIVE podcast news show every Thursday at 5:30pm. Subscribe to our YouTube page to get alerts for the show.
Do you have news to share? If so, send Hy-Lo News your story ideas by clicking HERE.
0 comments on “Florida Lawmakers File Bill to Curb Rental Fees and Tight Deadlines”