Florida's flood disclosure: what sellers must tell buyers, what it leaves out, and how to check a home or condo yourself

October 31, 2026 · Zach Curtis, REALTOR®, Realty Hub

Short answer: in Florida, a seller of residential real property must give you a flood disclosure at or before the time you sign the contract. It tells you whether the seller knows of flooding that damaged the property while they owned it, and whether they filed a flood insurance claim or got flood assistance, such as from FEMA. It's useful, but it only covers the seller's own ownership and knowledge, so check the flood zone, the building and the insurance yourself.

What the law requires

Florida Statutes section 689.302 says a seller "must complete and provide a flood disclosure to a purchaser of residential real property at or before the time the sales contract is executed," in a form the statute spells out (Fla. Stat. §689.302). The disclosure was created in 2024 (ch. 2024-215, Laws of Florida), and the current version of the form came from a 2025 law that took effect October 1, 2025 (ch. 2025-166, Laws of Florida).

What the form asks the seller

The form opens with a reminder that homeowners' insurance policies don't cover flood damage and encourages the buyer to talk to an insurance agent about separate flood coverage. Then the seller checks a box on each of three questions:

1. Whether the seller has knowledge of any flooding that damaged the property during the seller's ownership.
2. Whether the seller has filed a claim with an insurance provider for flood damage to the property, including a claim with the National Flood Insurance Program.
3. Whether the seller has received assistance for flood damage to the property, including assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Flooding" is defined broadly: overflow of inland or tidal waters, unusual and rapid runoff from an established water source such as a river, stream or drainage ditch, and sustained standing water from rainfall (§689.302(4)).

New condos sold by a developer have their own version. The condo statute requires the developer's contract to carry a similar flood statement covering the property or common elements during the developer's ownership (Fla. Stat. §718.503).

What the disclosure doesn't tell you

• Anything before the seller owned it. A seller who bought two years ago is answering about two years.
• The flood zone. The form doesn't ask whether the property is in a FEMA high-risk zone, which is what decides whether your lender requires flood insurance.
• The building, for a condo. The resale form asks about "the property." Whether the garage, lobby or ground-floor units of the building flooded, and how the association handled it, is something to ask the association and read in its records.
• Cost. It says nothing about what flood insurance will cost you.

Flood zones in Zach's core cities right now

Here's how many condos for sale on zach.homes are in a FEMA high-risk zone in each city, matched address by address:

Live right now: condos for sale on zach.homes, by FEMA flood zone of the address.

Live from 3,112 active BeachesMLS listings on zach.homes, as of November 2, 2026. Medians, not averages. HOA medians use only listings that state an HOA amount. Numbers change daily; each listing page shows its own facts with source and date.

The share varies a lot by city and by building, which is why it's worth checking each address instead of assuming. Each listing page on zach.homes shows the FEMA zone where the address has been matched.

How to check a home or condo yourself

1. Look up the FEMA flood zone. Enter the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Zones starting with A or V are high-risk.
2. Read the seller's flood disclosure as soon as you get it, and ask follow-up questions in writing if any box is checked "has."
3. Ask about past claims. Ask the seller whether they'll share the flood policy's declarations page and any claim history.
4. For a condo, ask the association about water intrusion in the building, the building's flood policy, and any related repairs or assessments. Our guide on flood insurance for Florida condos covers what the building's policy does and doesn't cover.
5. Get insurance quotes during your inspection period, so the cost is known before you're committed. Add it to the mortgage calculator.
6. Use your inspection. Ask the inspector to note signs of past water damage.

Where flood shows up in the rest of your purchase

Flood risk ties into several other buyer decisions: whether a lender will require a policy, what your monthly payment looks like, and, in condos, what the association budget has to carry. See why Florida condo fees are so high, buyer closing costs in Broward and our earlier guide to flood zones in South Florida.

Looking in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Dania Beach or Aventura? Start at Ready to buy and I'll pull the flood zone and disclosure questions for each place you like.

Zach Curtis, Realtor, Realty Hub, license SL3664129. General information, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice. Ask a licensed insurance agent about coverage, and a Florida real estate attorney about a specific contract.

Published October 31, 2026 by Zach Curtis, REALTOR®, Realty Hub, license SL3664129. General information for South Florida, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice. Laws, programs and prices change; check the official sources above, and ask a Florida attorney, CPA, insurance agent or lender about your situation. Listing numbers are asking prices and rents from BeachesMLS on the date shown. Equal Housing Opportunity. Zach Curtis and Realty Hub follow federal, Florida and Broward County fair housing law. Every listing is open to everyone. We never steer anyone by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected class.