Florida Law Now Punishing Use Of False Income Documents

Providing false proof of income or employment to take possession of a rental house is becoming illegal in Florida and will now be classified as a severe criminal offense with imprisonment and fines possible.

Rent applications provided to property owners have become rife with fake employment pay stubs submissions, and false financial histories.

The popular rental property listing service Zillow, provides renters not only a place to find available home rentals but allow renters to provide details of their rental history and upload paystubs or documents allegedly showing income. 

But dishonest renters can create and print professional income paystubs using dedicated mobile generator apps like 123PayStubs or Paystubs.App hoping to trick property owners into renting a home based on employer paystubs.

Zillow provides a second-step process to verify actual income through bank records of the renter, but dishonest applicants will refuse to use that service.

123PayStubs: Available on iOS and Android, this app provides instant PDF downloads ready for printing. “Get a professionally formatted, print-ready paystub PDF. Email it, print it, or save it for your records immediately,” says their website.

Paystubs.App: This mobile tool allows small businesses, contractors, and freelancers to create clean, calculation-tested pay stub PDFs directly from a phone. “Create professional US paystubs, paycheck stubs, and tax-form PDFs on your phone. Paystubs.App is a paystub generator and form maker for employees, freelancers, contractors, and small businesses.”

The New Florida Law

Florida passed legislation targeting rental application fraud. The vote was unanimous. Senate 34-0. House 110-0. The Florida Apartment Association and National Apartment Association backed it. 

It takes effect October 1, 2026.

House Bill 1293 establishes a specific crime known as "fraudulent entry of a residential dwelling unit". 

What Actions Are Illegal

Providing fake pay stubs or altered bank statements.
Making false written statements about employment or income.
Using stolen or synthetic identities.
Impersonating another person on the application. 

Penalties and Consequences

Criminal Charges: The offense is a third-degree felony. It carries penalties of up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Eviction: Landlords can issue a 7-day non-curable notice to vacate. Tenants do not get an opportunity to fix or "cure" the violation.