What must a Florida seller tell you about flooding?

Check my flood zone free

When does the seller have to give it to you?

In Florida, a home seller must give you a flood disclosure at or before the time you both sign the sales contract. The rule is in section 689.302 of the Florida Statutes. It covers the sale of a home, which the law calls residential real property.

This rule started October 1, 2024. A 2025 change, in effect since October 1, 2025, added the question about flooding that damaged the home.

The form also carries a short notice: a homeowners policy does not cover flood damage, and the buyer should talk with an insurance agent about buying separate flood insurance.

So what does the form ask? See the three questions.

What does the form ask?

The form asks three things. The seller checks "has" or "has not" for each one.

1. Flood damage. Does the seller know of flooding that damaged the home while they owned it?
2. Flood claims. Did they file a flood claim with any insurer, including the NFIP?
3. Flood aid. Did they get help paying for flood damage, including from FEMA?

The form also says what counts as flooding: water from rivers, lakes or the sea that overflows, fast runoff from a ditch, stream or other water source, and standing water that stays after heavy rain.

So what is not on it? See the gaps.

What does the form not tell you?

The form is a good start, but it leaves out a lot. Here is what it does not tell you:

• The flood zone. The form does not tell you the flood zone. Your lender looks at the FEMA flood zone to decide if you must buy flood insurance.
• Flooding before the seller owned the home. It only covers the time the seller owned the home. Flood damage from before that is not on it.
• Flooding that did no damage. The first question asks only about flooding that damaged the home. Water in the yard or street that did no damage is not asked about.
• The price. It does not tell you what flood insurance will cost. Same flood zone, very different prices: the home's first floor height, what it costs to rebuild, and how often the spot floods all change the price.
• Claim amounts and dates. The answers are "has" or "has not." The form does not ask how much was paid, when, or for which storm.
• What happens if the form is skipped. The law does not say what happens if a seller skips the form.

So how do you fill those gaps? Start with the address.

How do I fill the gaps?

Start with the address. The zone belongs to the exact spot, so look up the home you are buying, not just the town.

The free flood report shows the FEMA flood zone, whether a lender will require flood insurance there, and the flood claims record for the neighborhood around the home. FEMA keeps claims private by address, so the neighborhood record is the closest public look.

Get the free flood report for the address. Or check my address to see the flood zone for that exact spot.

Then ask the seller for two more things the form does not ask for: any old elevation certificate, and whether their NFIP policy can pass to you in writing at closing. See what to ask the seller and why.

Questions about the Florida flood disclosure

When does the seller give it to me?

At or before the time you both sign the sales contract. That is in section 689.302 of the Florida Statutes.

Does it tell me the flood zone?

No. The form does not ask about the flood zone, a flood map or whether flood insurance is required. Your lender looks at the FEMA flood zone, so check the address yourself.

Does it cover past owners?

No. It only covers the time the seller owned the home. Flood damage, claims or aid from before that are not on it.

Do renters get one?

Yes, for leases of 1 year or longer. Since October 1, 2025, a Florida landlord must give a flood disclosure to a new tenant at or before signing a lease of 1 year or longer. That rule is in section 83.512 of the Florida Statutes.

Since when?

The seller rule started October 1, 2024. A 2025 change, in effect since October 1, 2025, added the question about flooding that damaged the home.

Facts last checked November 7, 2026. Every figure comes from the federal or state source listed above.