The Florida legislature saw a need to protect consumers during real estate transactions from unethical and illegal practices such as fraud. Legislators also did not want to make it unreasonably difficult for an individual to enter into the real estate profession. Consequently, they established specific laws to meet these needs. The statutes are updated annually to create, amend, transfer, or repeal statutory material.

Chapter 20 of the Florida code covers the organizational structure of the Executive Branch of the state government. It is the statute that created the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and established the Divisions within the DBPR, such as the Division of Real Estate. This statute also established the organizational structure of the DBPR. 

Chapter 475 is divided into four parts and provides regulations for brokers, sales associates, appraisers, and schools. Part I created the FREC and includes its organization, powers, and duties. It also covers regulations for licensure and brokerage practices, including violations and penalties. 

Part II provides regulations for appraisers. Part III is known as the Commercial Real Estate Sales Commission Lien Act and provides regulations for a broker’s lien for unpaid sales commission. Part IV is known as the Commercial Real Estate Leasing Commission Lien Act and provides regulations for a broker’s lien for unpaid commission earned by a lease of commercial real estate. 

Chapter 455, or the Business and Professional Regulation: General Provisions, is the law used by the DBPR in regulating the professions under the Department’s auspices. It outlines the legislative intent in regulating these professions and includes restrictions on deterring qualified individuals from entering any of the chosen professions. It specifically holds that non-U.S. citizens may not be disqualified from practicing any of the professions regulated by the DBPR and covers the required qualifications to do so. 

Chapter 455 also includes the powers and duties of the DBPR and the organizational and operational requirements of the boards under the DBPR. This chapter covers general licensing provisions; education requirements; licensure examinations and testing services; disciplinary grounds, actions, procedures, and penalties; and legal and investigative services. Section 455.02 provides guidelines for licensure of members of the armed forces and their spouses.

Chapter 61J2 contains the Florida Real Estate Commission’s (FREC) rules. These rules cover licensure and education requirements, non-resident licensure, brokerage operation and business practices, trust fund handling, and disciplinary matters and procedures.

Chapter 83. also known as the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act,  covers both residential and nonresidential tenancies. It provides regulations for rental agreements, deposits, landlord and tenant obligations, tenancy terminations, and enforcement of rights and duties.

Chapter 718 regulates condominiums and includes rights and obligations of the developers and owners’ association. It establishes procedures for creating, selling, and operating condominiums.

Chapter 719 recognizes cooperatives as a form of property ownership and regulates the creation, sale, lease, and operation of cooperatives.

Chapter 760 is the Florida Civil Rights Act, which created the Florida Commission on Human Relations with the intent of protecting all individuals within Florida from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.

Other state statutes regulate taxation and collections, construction standards, lien foreclosures, and tax breaks for undeveloped land used for agricultural purposes (Florida Greenbelt Law of 1959). The Online Sunshine website provides access to these and other applicable Florida statutes.