Florida Introduces Mandatory Builder Warranty for New Homes Starting 2025
Florida's new mandatory builder warranty law, effective July 1, 2025, ensures homeowners receive protection against construction defects, marking a significant shift in residential construction accountability.
Starting July 1, 2025, Florida will enforce a new law requiring builders to provide a mandatory, transferable one-year warranty for newly constructed residential homes. This legislation, Florida Statute §553.837, aims to protect homeowners by covering construction defects in equipment, materials, or workmanship that violate the Florida Building Code. Builders are obligated to address these defects at their own expense, offering a layer of security previously not mandated by state law.
The warranty applies to a range of residential properties, including modular, manufactured, or factory-built homes, and is valid for one year from the date of title transfer or initial occupancy, whichever comes first. However, it excludes certain conditions such as normal wear and tear, damages caused by the homeowner, and events beyond the builder's control like natural disasters.
Builders have the option to provide an express written warranty that meets or exceeds the statutory requirements, including provisions for transferability beyond the initial year if the warranty period is extended. This move is expected to enhance the quality of new homes and provide clearer recourse for homeowners facing construction defects, setting a precedent for construction standards and consumer protection in the state.