The 2025 Florida Legislative Session officially came to a close on June 16, after lawmakers extended it beyond the original May 2 deadline to finalize key budget and policy decisions. This year’s session brought a number of important changes that directly affect homebuyers and property owners across the state. From new funding for affordable housing and hurricane resilience to greater transparency in real estate transactions, these legislative updates are worth understanding as you plan your next move in Florida’s real estate market.
Here are the most important takeaways you should know:
More Help for First-Time Buyers
$50 Million More for the Hometown Heroes Program
This popular program helps first-time homebuyers like teachers, nurses, and first responders with down payment and closing cost assistance. If you’ve been on the fence about buying, this could be a great time to explore your options—especially if you qualify. New guidelines are coming, so stay tuned!
Lower Costs for Small Business Owners
Goodbye, Business Rent Tax!
If you lease a commercial space for your business, there’s great news: starting October 1, 2025, the state sales tax on commercial rent will be eliminated. This will save business owners thousands each year and could open more opportunities for new commercial property investments.
Big Investments to Make Homes Safer and Insurance Cheaper
$310 Million for Hurricane-Hardening Programs
Programs like My Safe Florida Home and My Safe Florida Condominium are getting a major funding boost. These grants help homeowners strengthen their properties against storms—and in many cases, lower your insurance premiums. If you’ve been thinking about upgrades, now is a good time to look into available assistance.
Affordable Housing Options
$385 Million for Housing Programs
Whether you’re buying your first home or looking for a more affordable rental, Florida is putting serious resources behind creating and maintaining affordable housing options. This includes funding for down payment assistance and building new rental communities.
Investing in Clean Water and Resilient Communities
Over $1.5 Billion for Water Quality and Flood Protection
Clean water and storm protection are top priorities. These funds will help preserve Florida’s natural beauty while making our communities safer and more resilient—especially in flood-prone areas.
More Transparency for Condo Buyers
Know What You’re Buying
A new law requires condo associations to post the past 12 months of meeting minutes online, and buyers now have more time to cancel contracts after reviewing documents. This is a huge win for buyers—no more surprises after closing!
Stronger Protection Against Squatters
Faster Removal from Residential and Commercial Properties
New laws make it easier to remove squatters from homes, condos, vacation rentals, and even commercial spaces. If you own rental property or a vacation home, these protections bring peace of mind.
Easier Communication for Renters and Landlords
Email Notices Now Allowed (If You Agree)
Renters and landlords can now choose to communicate official notices—like lease renewals or maintenance updates—by email. It’s optional but can make life a lot simpler for both sides.
More Flood Risk Disclosure = Smarter Buying and Renting
Landlords and Sellers Must Disclose Flood Risks
Starting October 1, 2025, renters signing a lease for one year or more—and buyers of condos, co-ops, or mobile homes—must receive written flood disclosures. This helps you make better decisions and avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Protecting Florida’s Natural Beauty
State Parks Get Stronger Protections
New rules restrict environmentally harmful development in our state parks while supporting conservation and recreation. Great news for nature lovers!
What Didn’t Pass (But Is Still Worth Watching)
- A bill that would’ve made it easier to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) didn’t pass.
- Proposals to limit rent increases on certain affordable housing units also fell short.
- Tax benefits for owners of long-term leased homes didn’t make it across the finish line—but may come back next year.
Source: https://www.floridarealtors.org/advocacy/2025-legislative-final-report
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