The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® advocacy team recorded major legislative wins for South Florida property owners and real estate professionals at Tallahassee’s 2025 legislative session, including the elimination of Florida’s business rent tax that will save Floridians $900 million annually.

MIAMI REALTORS® and Florida REALTORS® have been advocating for the elimination of the BRT for more than a decade. Florida was the only state to impose a sales tax on commercial rents. Last year, MIAMI successfully advocated for the BRT to be reduced from 4.5% to 2%.

By eliminating the BRT, this will ease the strain on Florida employers making it easier for them to grow their business, hire new employees and continue to thrive.

Major legislative wins for affordable housing in Florida

One of MIAMI REALTORS®’ and Florida REALTORS®’ biggest wins in this year was $50 million in additional funding for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program to help Florida families purchase their first homes in the community where they work.

The program has helped more than 20,000 Floridians buy their first home since its inception in 2021.

The State Housing Initiatives Partnership SHIP, which includes downpayment and closing-cost assistance programs, will receive $163.8 million, and the State Apartment Incentive Loan program SAIL, which helps build affordable rental housing, will receive $71.2 million.

The Hometown Heroes program is available to all full-time workers in Florida who earn less than 150% of their county’s area median income. The maximum down payment assistance available to each homebuyer is $35,000, or up to 5% of their first mortgage loan amount.

Condo reform bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis

Condominium unit owners and their associations will have more time to pay new assessments for maintenance and repairs. The bill (HB 913), signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, extends the deadline for an inspection to Dec. 31 and allows condo associations to vote to finance any anticipated new reserve requirement, giving unit owners more time to pay off any new assessments.

As a leader in advocacy, MIAMI REALTORS® is working with the legislature to support our market. MIAMI brought together lawmakers, top experts and more for a sold-out Condo Summit on Feb. 14 that empowered REALTORS® with the latest knowledge and tools. MIAMI followed it up with Capitol to Closings, a 2025 legislative session breakdown on May 8.

Anti-squatter legislative priorities signed into law

DeSantis signed two 2025 Florida Realtors priority bills aimed at limiting squatters’ rights in Florida. The bills became effective July 1.

SB 322, which was championed by Realtor caucus member Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, addresses commercial property squatting by adding expedited eviction procedures for unauthorized occupants. It also streamlines the property reclaiming process for the owner without requiring lengthy legal battles.

SB 606 strengthens hotel and motel owners’ rights against uncooperative guests, or guests who aren’t paying their bills — clarifying that guests are transient unless otherwise stated in a written agreement.

Under the two new laws, written notice must be provided and can now be delivered by email, text message or in printed form, offering flexibility in notifying a squatter.

Both pieces of legislation allow for criminal charges up to a first-degree felony for squatters who engage in authorizing or leasing process properties in conjunction with criminal activities.

MIAMI will always promote and protect the interests of South Florida property owners

MIAMI’s advocacy team and leaders went to Washington, D.C., on June 2 and June 3 to conduct Capitol Hill visits with lawmakers in conjunction with National Association of REALTORS® leaders. Our leaders met with key members of Congress to advocate for homeownership, private-property rights and smart real estate policy.

Together with MIAMI’s 110 leaders on six boards, MIAMI advances the interest of the real estate industry via many channels, including its annual visit to Tallahassee to speak with lawmakers during Great American Realtor Days.

Since 1969, the Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR candidates across the United States. The purpose of RPAC/PAF (Political Advocacy Fund) is clear: Realtors raise and spend money to elect candidates who understand and support their interests. The money to accomplish this comes from voluntary contributions made by Realtors.

Danielle Blake is the chief of residential and advocacy for MIAMI REALTORS®, and Ana Maria Rodriguez is chief of strategic initiatives for MIAMI REALTORS®.