Florida House Bill 837

What is it?

On March 24, 2023, HB 837 was signed into law by Governor DeSantis and went into effect immediately. HB 837 is a wide sweeping tort reform bill that serves to overhaul Florida’s litigation landscape. Certain provisions in the bill will apply to causes of action accruing after the effective date and rights under current insurance contracts will not be affected. It is important to note that amendments to the bill are expected in the next legislative session.

How does it effect you and your property? 

With the passage of HB 837, Florida transitions from a pure comparative negligence system to a modified comparative negligence system, it shortens the statute of limitations from 4 years to 2 years, limits bad faith lawsuits against insurers, and allows for a presumption against liability for property owners in cases based on criminal acts upon the premises by third parties.

What are the requirements?

The presumption against liability only applies to owners who implement and meet the following requirements:

• Install camera systems at points of entry and exit, with retrievable footage for at least 30 days.
• A lighted parking lot with an average of 1.8 FC at 18” height.
• Sufficient illumination levels at walkways, laundry rooms, common areas, and porches, from dusk until dawn (controlled by photocell or similar technology).
• 1-inch deadbolt in each dwelling unit door.
• Locking devices on all windows, exterior sliding doors, and any other doors not used for community purposes.
• A peephole or door viewer on each unit door.
• Locked pool gates equipped with access control (Regular key / key fob).
• By January 1, 2025, have a CPTED assessment completed and documented by an FCP, no more than three years old. "The owner or principal operator must remain in substantial compliance with the assessment for purposes of this paragraph.”
• Proper crime deterrence and safety training for current employees and new employees within 60 days of hire by Jan 1, 2025.

How Signal can help...

 At Signal, we have crime prevention specialists with the required FCP designation to help our clients with becoming compliant with this section of the Florida statutes. Slots are filling up fast, to join the assessment wait list please provide your information below.