HB 1407 Summary: Keep Floridians Housed Act

• Creates a new Department of Housing and Tenant Rights to address housing affordability and homelessness, with secretary appointed by Governor and confirmed by Senate; requires cost-benefit analysis of empty homes tax by January 1, 2024.

• Strengthens tenant protections by requiring 60 days' notice for rent increases (3 months if over 5%) with mediation option, caps security deposits at 1 month's rent, limits deposits to interest-bearing accounts, and requires landlord inspections at tenancy commencement.

• Restricts landlord eviction rights by requiring "good cause" for termination, prohibiting eviction during emergencies or for tenant organizing, providing 3-month notice requirement for families with children, and allowing tenants to seal eviction records under specified conditions.

• Establishes right of first refusal for tenants to purchase their dwelling units before sales, protects domestic violence victims by allowing rental agreement termination without penalty and mandatory lock changes within 24 hours, and prohibits discrimination based on source of income or credit score.

• Imposes new tax of $100 per $100 of consideration on residential property purchases by private equity firms with $20+ million in assets; revenue directed to Florida Affordable Housing Trust Fund.