Effective October 1, 2026, Florida law addresses fraudulent entry into residential dwellings through a new criminal provision and a related change to the residential landlord–tenant statute. Ch. 2026-143, §§ 1–2, Laws of Fla.; §§ 83.56(2)(a), 817.537, Fla. Stat. (2026).
What the statute covers
Section 817.537 addresses taking possession through specified knowing and willful conduct, including certain materially false written statements about identity in a rental application, presenting forged or counterfeit documents, or impersonating another applicant. The statute lists examples such as identification documents, bank statements, and pay stubs. Its precise elements matter; an ordinary application error is not automatically the offense.
The landlord–tenant provision
Section 83.56(2)(a) identifies an act of fraudulent entry that violates section 817.537(2) among examples of noncompliance for which the tenant should not be given an opportunity to cure. The statute sets out written notice language and a seven-day termination period. Whether the facts satisfy the statutory requirements requires careful review.
Section 83.56(2)(a) applies to a qualifying violation regardless of whether criminal proceedings have commenced. The statutory elements and the evidence supporting them remain central to the eviction proceeding. It does not dispense with the applicable judicial process.
Practical considerations
Before relying on this ground, review the original application, the documents at issue, the statutory elements, the evidence, and the timing and content of any notice. The proper course depends on the facts of the tenancy.
Read section 83.56 ↗ · Read section 817.537 ↗ · View the enacted bill history ↗