FL H0749

Creates section 83.684 (Florida Tenant Notification Act) requiring landlords to disclose in rental agreements whether they required employees to undergo level 1 background screenings for convictions of credit card theft, crimes involving violence, or sexual battery.

Authorizes landlords to require current and potential employees with premises access to undergo level 1 background screenings at the landlord's expense, with employees who refuse subject to termination or disqualification.

Requires rental agreements and renewals to contain prominent written disclosure and signed acknowledgement of receipt from tenants; the agreement is incomplete until signed by the tenant in presence of a witness.

Permits tenants to terminate rental agreements within 3 business days and receive full deposit refunds if the agreement disclosed employee convictions, or at any time if the agreement failed to disclose current employee convictions or if a convicted employee was hired within 5 business days of agreement completion.

Tenants who terminate under these provisions receive full deposit refunds without penalty (including no early termination fees) and are released from further obligations, but remain responsible for physical damage they caused to the premises.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.