Before the listing goes live
Complete the flood disclosure with the rest of the seller disclosure package so it is ready before the first offer, not rushed at contract signing.
FLORIDA SELLER DISCLOSURE · SECTION 689.302
Flood history is now a written disclosure.
Florida requires sellers of residential real property to give buyers a flood disclosure at or before the time the sales contract is signed. Since October 1, 2025, it covers known flood damage during ownership, not only insurance claims. The statute applies statewide, so inland sellers in The Villages, Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties need it too.
Short answer: Under section 689.302, Florida Statutes, a residential seller must complete a flood disclosure at or before contract signing that states whether the seller knows of flooding that damaged the property during ownership, whether any flood insurance claim was filed, and whether flood-damage assistance was received from any source, including FEMA.
WhenAt or before the time the buyer and seller sign the sales contract.
WhatKnown flood damage, flood insurance claims, and flood-damage assistance.
WhoSellers of residential real property anywhere in Florida.
The three questions the form asks
- Flood damage you know about.Whether flooding damaged the property while you owned it. The statute’s definition of flooding includes overflow of water, unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff or surface water, and sustained standing water from rainfall.
- Flood insurance claims.Whether you filed a claim for flood damage with any insurance provider, including the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Flood-damage assistance.Whether you received assistance for flood damage, including from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The form also reminds buyers that homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage from floods.
What changed, and when
| Law | What it did |
|---|---|
| 2024, Chapter 2024-215, Laws of Florida | Created section 689.302, requiring residential sellers to disclose flood insurance claims and federal flood-damage assistance at or before contract signing. |
| Effective October 1, 2025, Chapter 2025-166 | Added known flood damage during ownership, broadened assistance to any source, and created a similar landlord disclosure for residential leases of one year or longer in section 83.512. |
Inland does not mean exempt
The disclosure is about the property’s history, not only whether it sits in a mapped high-risk zone. Heavy summer rain, low lots, retention areas, and drainage changes can matter in Central Florida. Buyers can check FEMA flood maps and ask an insurance agent for a flood quote, and lenders require flood insurance for federally backed loans on homes in a designated special flood hazard area.
How Mo prepares a listing
Gather the records
Insurance claim letters, repair invoices, permits, elevation certificates, and any assistance paperwork answer buyer questions quickly and support the price.
Answer accurately
Mo organizes the facts and the paperwork. He does not decide legal disclosure questions. Unclear history goes to a Florida real estate attorney.
If you are the buyer: use the disclosure
- Read it before you sign.The statute puts it in your hands at or before contract signing so it can shape the offer, not arrive after the fact.
- Ask for the records behind any “yes.”Claim letters, repair invoices, permits, and photographs show what happened and what was fixed.
- Check the map and the elevation.Look up the flood zone on FEMA’s map and ask whether an elevation certificate exists for the home.
- Price flood coverage early.Get a flood insurance quote during the inspection period. National Flood Insurance Program policies generally carry a waiting period before coverage starts, with exceptions tied to a loan closing, so ask the agent how that applies to your purchase.
Other disclosure duties still apply
The flood form is one requirement among several. Florida Realtors’ disclosure guidance explains that sellers must disclose known facts that materially affect value and are not readily observable, and an as-is contract does not remove that duty. A paid sinkhole claim carries its own statutory disclosure.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Flood disclosure questions
Does the flood disclosure apply if my home has never flooded?
Yes. The seller still provides the disclosure and answers each question based on what the seller knows.
When must the flood disclosure be given?
At or before the time the sales contract is executed.
Does Florida require flood disclosure for rentals?
Yes, for residential leases of one year or longer. Section 83.512 requires landlords to give a similar flood disclosure in a document separate from the lease.
Does the form ask whether the home is in a flood zone?
The statutory questions focus on known flooding, flood insurance claims, and flood-damage assistance. Buyers should separately check FEMA flood maps and get insurance quotes.
What if the home flooded before I owned it?
The questions ask about damage, claims, and assistance during your ownership. If you know about earlier flooding, ask a Florida real estate attorney how it fits your general disclosure duty.
Getting a home ready to list?
Mo will assemble the disclosure package, records, and pricing evidence before launch so buyers get clear answers and the contract starts clean.
Official sources and references
Checked September 14, 2026. Rates, forms, and program rules change, so confirm the current version before relying on a number.
- Florida Statutes §689.302: Disclosure of flood risks
- Florida Realtors: Florida expands flood disclosures
- Florida Realtors: Florida real estate disclosure laws
- Florida Statutes §627.7073: Sinkhole reports and seller disclosure
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
Important: General real estate information only—not legal, tax, insurance, title, engineering, or financial advice. Mo Mufti is a Florida REALTOR® (license SL3600299) with LPT Realty, LLC, not an attorney, CPA, insurance agent, or inspector. Use qualified Florida professionals for your situation.
More Florida costs & rules: Transfer tax calculator · Who pays closing costs · Capital gains when selling · Homestead exemption · Florida residency checklist · 4-point and wind mitigation · Sinkhole due diligence · Buyer agreements · Downsizing in The Villages