Now more than ever, it’s important to support and even the playing field for Florida’s Renters
Tallahassee, FL — Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-47) and Senator Victor Torres (D-15) have both refiled HB6021/SB1020 and HB6025/SB1090 for the 2021 Legislative Session.
HB6021/SB1020 removes preemptive language in Florida law to give local governments more control and tools to combat Florida’s affordable housing crisis by making it less burdensome to implement local rent control and stabilization programs. Local governments would still be limited in when such programs could be considered and voters would still have to approve these measures via a ballot process but the unnecessary requirement to hold an election every year to maintain the attainable housing program(s) is eliminated with this repealer bill.
HB6025/SB1090 addresses a horrible inequity in Florida law where tenants have to “pay to play” when facing an eviction.
Current Florida Law states tenants must provide a deposit of the amount their landlord claims is due into the court’s registry to move forward in an eviction case. If unable to pay the rent claimed due, tenants lose the eviction case by “default,” meaning an eviction judgment is entered against tenants quickly, without a hearing or opportunity to tell their side of the story.
Tenants may file a “motion to determine rent” to overcome this barrier to a fair trial, however the success of this often depends on the judge, and continues to put tenants at an unfair disadvantage in court. HB6025/SB1090 removes this section of state law, ensuring landlords and tenants have their day in court, and that justice is served equitably, regardless of financial status.
Representative Eskamani offered the following statement:
“Florida has always had an affordable housing crisis but this crisis has become dramatically worse with the COVID19 pandemic. Since March 2020 our legislative office has provided support to more than 21,000 unemployment cases and among those cases are struggling families who are also facing an eviction. It’s about time Florida did something to support our renters, and these two repealers would be easy but impactful steps in the right direction.”
Senator Torres offered the following statement:
“Rental rates are too high in Florida, and tenants have always been at a constant disadvantage with state laws that constantly give them the short end of the stick. These two repealer bills would provide more options to local governments to navigate the COVID19 pandemic and help to keep people in their homes, aiding in our efforts to stop the spread and prevent homelessness. They are important bills that would level the playing field among landlords and tenants, ensuring that in an eviction case, tenants have a day in court regardless of financial status.”
Florida is facing a serious eviction crisis. According to a new study from AdvisorSmith, Florida is among states where renters have the highest chance of eviction. This same study states that 20.2% of Florida renters are behind on rent payments and an estimated 77.5% of late-paying renters are expected to be evicted within the next two months.
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