Real Estate Broker · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 41 posts · 13 votes
According to an article that has been published in the Florida Realtor magazine, there is a Florida law that will become effective on July 1 that requires an owner or landlord to approve or deny a tenant application from any active service member. Failure to meet the 7 day deadline will result in an automatic approval for the applicant as a tenant.
Section 83.683 of the Florida Statutes requires the landlord to inform the tenant within the 7 day timeframe whether they have been accepted or denied, and if the tenant has been denied, the basis for the denial must also be stated. The new law applies to condo associations, coop associations, and HOA's (which will be a real treat).
Please be aware if you are self-managing your properties as you could inadvertently violate this law. For more information, you should check the FL statutes and consult an attorney.
Note Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2016 · 135 posts · 79 votes
10y
Thank you @Ayana Lugo. I could never see my business taking 7 days to approve a tenant, but knowing new laws is always valuable.
Here is another valuable piece regarding active and inactive military. We always make copies of government issued photo ID as part of the application and viewing process (typically a driver's license). If a perspective tenant give you a copy of their military ID, you can look at it, but you cannot copy it. Big no no.
Real Estate Broker · Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 41 posts · 13 votes
10y
@Upen Mody - Sorry about that! I meant to post the link in my original post. It is below, someone posted it for us! This is life changing for the HOA's. I can imagine they will not be happy when they realize they will be required to comply.
@Gerald Demers - YES! That is valuable information to have. With my former employer, we always had that question on the application.
Pompano Beach, FL · Member since 2015 · 44 posts · 3 votes
10y
I wish the 7 day timeframe was applicable for all the applicants...not just active service member. In this day and age, there is no reason an application eval should take more than 7 days.
Thank you @Ayana Lugo. I could never see my business taking 7 days to approve a tenant, but knowing new laws is always valuable.
Here is another valuable piece regarding active and inactive military. We always make copies of government issued photo ID as part of the application and viewing process (typically a driver's license). If a perspective tenant give you a copy of their military ID, you can look at it, but you cannot copy it. Big no no.
Gerald Demers
Learned this first time. Where to find this law guide?