The bill (HB 1417) was one of six measures that DeSantis signed Thursday from the 2023 legislative session, which ended May 5.
In recent years, cities and counties, including in heavily populated areas such as Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, have passed ordinances — frequently described as a tenant “bill of rights” — that go beyond a state law known as the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
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St. Pete officially opts out of county tenant protections in favor of adopting its own renter bill of rights
Activists are happy with some of the changes, but continue to push for a tenant’s right to counsel.
But the bill will lead to the state law trumping — or “preempting” — the local ordinances.
It was approved by the House in an 81-33 vote and by the Senate in a 29-8 vote.
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St. Pete officially opts out of county tenant protections in favor of adopting its own renter bill of rights
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This article appears in Jun 29 – Jul 5, 2023.