HB 21C - Keep Floridians Housed Act

• Creates Department of Housing and Tenant Rights as new state agency to address affordable housing, homelessness, and landlord-tenant relations; requires cost-benefit analysis of empty homes tax by January 1, 2025.

• Strengthens tenant protections including: plain language rental agreements in preferred languages, 60-day non-renewal notice with written explanation, right of first refusal to purchase dwelling units, and mediation option for rent increases exceeding 5%.

• Limits security deposits to 1 month's rent with option for 12 equal monthly payments; requires landlords to hold deposits in interest-bearing accounts (minimum 5% annual simple interest) and awards treble damages if landlord fails to meet requirements.

• Prohibits landlord retaliation including utility shutoffs, lock changes, harassment, discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, HIV status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or credit score; prohibits inquiring into criminal history before determining tenant qualifies.

• Protects domestic violence victims by allowing immediate rental termination without penalty, requiring lock changes within 24 hours, and prohibiting discrimination; creates $100 documentary stamp tax on residential property sales by private equity firms with $20M+ assets, with revenue to Florida Affordable Housing Trust Fund; effective July 1, 2024.