insurance revisions. The bill removes the $100 cap for insurers who
provide loss control/mitigation goods or services (e.g. a temperature/
humidity sensor) to policyholders and makes it easier for owners who
have dwellings valued at $700,000 or more to obtain surplus lines of
coverage. Effective: July 1, 2019.
Property owner bill of rights and tree trimming — SB 1400 requires
county appraisers to publish a list of constitutionally protected
property rights on their websites. The bill also allows property owners
to trim or remove trees on their property without consequence
as long as they have a letter from a certified arborist or landscape
architect stating the tree is a danger. Effective: July 1, 2019.
Military affairs — SB 620, in its original form, included a provision
that capped the total money owed by an active duty service member
who was entering into a lease at no more than the total of two
months' rent. Although the bill passed, the language pertaining to
the cap was removed from the bill. Effective: July 1, 2019.
BILLS THAT DID NOT PASS
Private property rights/short-term rentals — SB 824 and HB
987 were companion bills supported by Florida Realtors® aimed at
protecting the right of private property owners to rent their property
on a short-term basis because many local governments continue to
enact ordinances that discourage short-term rentals and infringe on
this fundamental right.
Condo transfer fee background costs — HB 1075 contained several
items related to HOAs and condominium associations. Of note
to Realtors® was an allowance for associations to charge a buyer or
renter the "actual cost" of a background check plus a $100 administrative
fee. Transfer fees are currently capped at $100 per applicant.
Septic tank inspections — HB 85 would have required all homeowners
in Florida to have septic tank inspections every five years.
Rent control — HB 6053 and SB 1390 sought to allow local governments
to adopt rental control ordinances.
Seller disclosure — HB 163 and SB 1254 would have required
sellers to provide buyers a written disclosure if the property is located
within a dependent special district. The bill also gave buyers a threeday
right of rescission after the disclosure was provided.
Landlord disclosure — HB 153 and SB 1248 would have required
landlords to provide prospective tenants with a "physical" copy of
the restrictive covenants governing the use and occupancy of the
premises.
Swimming pool safety features — HB 805 and SB 724 would
have required all residential pools in Florida to be equipped with
two of the following safety features when a residential property with
a pool is sold: 1) pool barrier, 2) pool cover, 3) door and window
alarms, 4) self-closing and self-latching doors and 5) a pool alarm.
> Source: Florida Realtors®.
LEGISLATIVE
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