Fla. Stat. § 421.10 § 421.101
False representations to obtain lower rent in housing accommodations; penalty.
Operative Text
Whoever makes a false statement or representation, knowing it to be false, or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact in order to obtain a lower rent for housing accommodations in a low-rent housing development operated pursuant to this chapter, than the rental such person is required to pay pursuant to federal or state statutes, schedule of rents or rules and regulations as determined and fixed by housing authorities created pursuant to this chapter, aforesaid, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083; and each such false statement or representation or failure to disclose a material fact as aforesaid shall constitute a separate offense.
Florida Statute § 421.10 / § 421.101 makes it a criminal offense for anyone to knowingly make a false statement, misrepresentation, or material omission for the purpose of securing a lower rent in a public low-rent housing development than they are actually required to pay under applicable federal or state rules. Each individual false statement or omission is treated as a separate offense, meaning multiple misrepresentations can result in multiple charges. A conviction is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida law, carrying penalties defined by §§ 775.082 and 775.083.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing authorities and operators of low-rent housing developments governed by Fla. Stat. § 421.10 / § 421.101 generally maintain thorough income-verification and eligibility-screening processes to detect and document any discrepancies in applicant-provided information. Compliant operators typically cross-reference submitted documentation against available federal and state data sources and retain records that could support a referral to the appropriate authority if fraud is suspected. Because each false statement constitutes a separate offense under this provision, operators often track individual representations made during the application and recertification process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Fla. Stat. § 421.10 / § 421.101, tenants in Florida public low-rent housing developments have an obligation to provide accurate and complete information when applying for or recertifying eligibility for reduced rent. Knowingly providing false information or omitting a material fact—even once—can result in a second-degree misdemeanor charge, and each separate misrepresentation may be prosecuted as its own offense. Tenants who have questions about what information must be disclosed, or who believe they have been incorrectly accused of a violation, may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Florida housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 29, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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