If you're buying or selling near the Gulf or along the Suwannee, flooding is part of the conversation. Florida law now requires sellers to tell buyers about past flood damage, and an elevation certificate may help lower what flood insurance costs. Here's a plain-language rundown.
Florida's flood disclosure law
Under section 689.302 of the Florida Statutes, a seller of residential property must give the buyer a flood disclosure at or before the time the sales contract is signed. As expanded effective October 1, 2025, the disclosure covers:
- Any flood insurance claims the seller has filed for the property
- Any assistance the seller has received to repair flood damage, such as FEMA aid
- Whether the seller knows of flooding that damaged the property while they owned it
Landlords renting a home for a year or more must now give tenants a similar disclosure, too.
For sellers: Gather your insurance and repair records early so you can complete the form accurately. For buyers: Read it closely, and use it to ask follow-up questions about repairs and permits.
What an elevation certificate is
An elevation certificate shows how high a building sits compared with how high floodwaters are expected to rise in that spot, including the height of the lowest floor. It's prepared by a licensed land surveyor, engineer or architect.
- Is one required? Most homeowners don't need one to buy flood insurance, but homes in the highest-risk zones may need one to show they meet local building standards.
- Can it save money? It can. A certificate documents features like a raised first floor that may qualify for lower premiums.
- Is there already one? Ask the seller, or check with the county building or floodplain office, which often keeps certificates on file.
Our advice
If you're buying waterfront or low-lying property, get a flood insurance quote before you're under contract, not after. If you're selling, have your elevation certificate, repair history and permits ready. Buyers here ask for them.
See current Gulf and river waterfront listings, or contact us at (352) 498-5151 with questions.
This post is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Sources: Florida Realtors on the expanded flood disclosure law; FloodSmart.gov on elevation certificates.