Updated: October 2026
By Henrique A. Faria, bilingual REALTOR® with Avanti Way Premiere, Weston, FL · 954-504-2895
The law creates a new crime in section 817.537 of the Florida Statutes, called "fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit" (Laws of Florida, chapter 2026-143).
According to the official Senate summary, a person commits this crime by entering and taking possession of a rental home in any of these ways (Florida Senate, 2026):
The bill passed without a single vote against it: 34-0 in the Senate and 110-0 in the House (Florida Senate, 2026).
The law also amended section 83.56, which governs how a lease is terminated. Fraudulent entry is now a violation the tenant cannot cure (Florida Senate, 2026).
In practice, if a landlord discovers the fraud, they can end the lease with written notice. From that notice, the tenant has 7 days to move out.
A felony is a serious crime, a step above a misdemeanor. In Florida, third degree is the lowest felony class, but it is still a felony.
A felony record follows you. It can block you from renting, getting hired, or completing other applications for years. For your specific situation, talk to an attorney.
The law applies statewide, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. In Palm Beach County, the Sheriff's Office is pursuing a Wellington case involving a person accused of using fake identities and altered financial documents to lease luxury homes and never pay rent (CBS12, Sept. 2026).
In my experience as an agent, landlords were already verifying income and identity before this law. The difference now is that the risk for anyone who lies is not just losing the home. It is a criminal case.
You don't need to lie to rent. If you lack U.S. credit history or U.S. income, these options are legal and many landlords accept them:
And if you are moving from another country, always come legally, with a valid visa or immigration status. Everything else builds on that.
A landlord in Weston received an application with pay stubs that didn't add up for their Town Homes renting at 4,200 a month. We verified the income directly with the employer, and it didn't match. Within 3 days, the home was leased to a family that submitted their real documents and offered rent in advance.
When does the law take effect? October 1, 2026. The governor signed it on June 12, 2026 (Laws of Florida, chapter 2026-143).
What is the penalty? It is a third-degree felony, which in Florida can carry up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, depending on the case (WDBO, Oct. 3, 2026).
Do I commit the crime just by submitting an application with a fake document? The law describes the crime as entering and taking possession of the home through that fraud. But submitting fake documents is still a serious mistake. It can cost you the application and create other legal problems. Don't do it.
Does it count if I just "touch up" a bank statement to look better? Yes. The law expressly covers false financial documents, such as altered pay stubs and bank statements (Florida Senate, 2026).
Can I use a relative's documents or credit? Not by posing as that person. Impersonating someone else is covered by the law. The legal route is for your relative to sign as guarantor, in their own name and under their own responsibility.
What if I already live in a rental I got with fake documents? Talk to an attorney as soon as possible. Every case is different, and I can't give legal advice.
I'm Henrique A. Faria, a bilingual (English/Spanish) REALTOR® with Avanti Way Premiere in Weston, FL. I help families rent homes across South Florida with their real documents, even when they don't have U.S. credit yet.
Call or text me at 954-504-2895.
Read my 200+ client reviews on Homes.com: https://www.homes.com
This article is for information only and is not legal advice.
Sources
Henrique Faria is a bilingual English and Spanish REALTOR® with Avanti Way Premiere, based in Weston, Florida. Since 2019 he has helped first-time homebuyers, families, sellers and international investors buy and sell homes across Broward County, specializing in Weston, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie, Plantation and Sunrise, along with select pre-construction opportunities in Wynwood and Brickell.
Henrique was named Agentpreneur of the Year by Avanti Way and was featured in South Florida Agent Magazine. He holds the RENE® (Real Estate Negotiation Expert) and SFR® (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource) certifications, and his clients have left him more than 200 reviews on Google.
Originally from Venezuela, Henrique understands what it takes to buy property in a new country. He guides Latin American investors and out-of-state buyers through financing, closing and every step in between, and helps local first-time buyers go from pre-qualification to keys in hand. Whether you’re buying your first home, selling, or investing in South Florida, he’s one call or message away at (954) 504-2895.
Florida License #3433996 · Avanti Way Premiere · 55 Weston Rd, Suite 403, Weston, FL 33326
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