Florida Rental Flood Disclosure: Before You Sign

By Joseph Spiriti, Esq. | Caserta & Spiriti, PLLC

Before signing a Florida residential lease, I would check more than the monthly rent. A separate flood disclosure may belong in the signing packet, too.

Florida Statute § 83.512 requires a landlord to provide that document at or before signing a residential rental agreement for a term of one year or longer. It must substantially follow the statutory form. A general reference to flooding somewhere in the lease should not be treated as a substitute.

1. Check what the disclosure actually covers.

The form addresses the landlord’s knowledge of flooding that damaged the dwelling during ownership, flood-related insurance claims, and flood assistance received. It also warns about flood coverage and encourages the tenant to discuss separate flood insurance with an insurance agent. A completed form is useful information, but it does not guarantee that the property will never flood.

2. Ask questions before you commit.

For tenants, read the answers before signing and keep the disclosure with the lease. If a prior incident is disclosed, ask what happened and what repairs followed. An insurance professional can explain coverage options. For landlords and property managers, use the current statutory form, answer accurately, and retain the completed disclosure and evidence of timely delivery.

3. Treat post-flood deadlines seriously.

The statute provides a termination remedy when a landlord violates the disclosure requirement and flooding causes qualifying substantial loss or damage to the tenant’s personal property. It requires written notice and surrender of possession no later than 30 days after the damage or loss. The statutory threshold concerns repair or replacement costs of at least 50% of the property’s market value when flooding occurred. This is not an automatic right to cancel every flooded rental. The documents, loss, dates and statutory requirements need careful review.

Questions about a Miami Lakes or other Florida rental?

Organize the lease, disclosure, photographs, insurance communications and relevant dates before seeking advice. A clear record makes it easier to evaluate the next step. Caserta & Spiriti, PLLC assists landlords, tenants and property owners with selected Florida rental and real estate matters. Call 305-463-8808 or visit https://csgfirm.com/. Office hours: Monday–Friday, 10 AM–5 PM Eastern.

Sources and further reading

Florida Statute § 83.512 (2026): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/83.512

Adapted from my firm article, “Florida Rental Flood Disclosure,” originally published October 26, 2026: https://csgfirm.com/florida-rental-flood-disclosure/

General educational information, current as reviewed November 10, 2026, not legal advice. Lease terms, exemptions, facts and current law matter. Reading or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Representation requires conflicts review and an agreed scope. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.