House Bill 1471, known as the "Keep Floridians Housed Act," seeks to enhance tenant protections and promote affordable housing in Florida by establishing the Department of Housing and Tenant Rights. This new department will focus on issues related to affordable housing, homelessness, and landlord-tenant relationships. Key provisions of the bill include requiring rental agreements to be written in plain language, limiting security deposits to one month's rent, and mandating landlords to provide written notice for rent increases. The bill also introduces measures to protect tenants who are victims of domestic violence, allowing them to terminate their rental agreements without penalty under specific conditions.

Additionally, the bill includes significant amendments to existing landlord-tenant laws, such as requiring landlords to have "good cause" for terminating rental agreements and providing tenants with a right of first refusal in the event of a sale. It prohibits landlords from charging application fees and mandates that security deposits be paid in installments, held in interest-bearing accounts, and refunded upon termination of the rental agreement, minus legitimate deductions. The legislation also establishes community land bank programs to facilitate affordable housing development and introduces a tax on deeds related to residential properties purchased by private equity firms, with revenues directed to the Florida Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Overall, HB 1471 aims to strengthen tenant rights, promote housing stability, and address the affordable housing crisis in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 1471 Filed: 83.51, 83.54, 83.60, 83.63, 83.67, 196.061