H1407 will significantly impact state laws related to landlord-tenant relationships by mandating specific provisions in rental agreements. These include a provision for tenants to purchase their leased dwellings before their landlord may sell or discontinue housing use. Additionally, the bill outlines tenant protections against eviction due to domestic violence, stipulating that victims can terminate agreements without penalty, thus ensuring their safety and stability during sensitive times.
House Bill H1407, titled the 'Keep Floridians Housed Act', seeks to address ongoing issues related to housing affordability and tenant rights in Florida. The bill proposes the creation of the Department of Housing and Tenant Rights, which will oversee policies aimed at combating homelessness and supporting affordable housing. It empowers this new department to conduct research and address housing issues comprehensively by July 2024, including a cost-benefit analysis of a proposed empty homes tax.
Interestingly, H1407 has raised points of contention regarding the impact of gentrification and displacement. The bill allows local governments to impose impact fees on developers displacing residents, with fees intended to support affordable housing initiatives. However, it also contains provisions to limit rent controls, meaning that any local laws imposing such measures must expire after one year unless renewed, which worries some advocates who fear that it undermines local authorities' ability to manage housing crises effectively.