MIAMI REALTORS® Advocacy: Protecting private property rights and making business easier in South Florida

For more than a century, the MIAMI Association of REALTORS® (MIAMI) has promoted and protected the interests of property owners and real estate professionals in South Florida.

MIAMI REALTORS® has repeatedly scored legislative victories for local private property owners, real estate professionals and the communities that we serve through advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels.

The award-winning MIAMI REALTORS Advocacy Team works to shape public policy on issues that affect the real estate industry, such as property taxes, zoning regulations and affordable housing initiatives. Additionally, the department provides resources and education to members on key legislative and regulatory developments, empowering them to be effective advocates for their clients and communities.

MIAMI REALTORS Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Miami-Dade Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, Chief Legal Counsel Evian White De Leon, Director Political Affairs Samantha Garcia and 2023 MIAMI REALTORS PAC Chairman Fernando Arencibia Jr. lead the advocacy team. Together with MIAMI REALTORS’ 110 leaders in six boards, MIAMI advances the interest of the real estate industry via many channels, including its annual visit to Tallahassee to speak with lawmakers during Great American Realtor Days.

Since 1969, the Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR candidates across the United States. The purpose of RPAC/PAF (Political Advocacy Fund) is clear: Realtors raise and spend money to elect candidates who understand and support their interests. The money to accomplish this comes from voluntary contributions made by Realtors. To join the MIAMI REALTORS PAC, visit its website.

A few of our RPAC victories from 2022-23:

Miami-Dade condo registry.

After MIAMI REALTORS advocated for more transparency and accountability for South Florida residents, Miami-Dade County commissioners passed an ordinance in March 2022 requiring condominium, cooperative and homeowner associations to file financial and governing documents into a public online library, just as MIAMI Realtor® and Hallandale Beach Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub did for her residents.

The public online library went live in 2023. 

Fair housing rights. 

Alongside fair housing advocates, we defeated a proposed amendment to add “testers” to the source of income discrimination ordinance. This amendment would have legitimized the sham and vexatious litigation filed against hundreds of our members, and it would have jeopardized the standing and important role of legitimate testers in fair housing cases.

More housing inventory in Miami-Dade. 

We supported additional state funding and loans for workforce housing, encouraged private sector investment to accelerate new workforce housing construction and backed an accessory dwelling ordinance to create more housing. 

The group helped create a revolving loan program for qualified firefighters, law enforcement, officers, teachers, nurses and other hometown hero professions and expanded workforce housing options for lo- and moderate-income earners. 

Other initiatives supported access to affordable, private property insurance; milestone inspections for condominiums statewide; zoning flexibility for affordable housing; and $1.6 billion for the Everglades and water quality initiatives. 

40-Year recertification and inspection reports.

Although 40-year recertifications of buildings in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties is not new, buyers asking for inspection reports is. MIAMI Realtors worked with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s office to create a searchable public database for buildings in unincorporated areas and with Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Pedro Garcia’s office to publish more building data and a list of local building departments.

We’re working with Florida Realtors and the Department of Business & Professional Regulation to include inspection reports in the list of approved items for unit owners. Find more here. 

Business rent tax reduction.

Realtors and their customers who rent commercial properties can celebrate a massive cut to the state’s burdensome business rent tax. New sales tax revenue generated on purchases made by Floridians to out-of-state retailers will be remitted and applied toward the Florida’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, then toward reducing the state’s sales tax on commercial leases from 5.5% to 2%, saving commercial tenants an estimated $1.23 billion annually.

Homebuyer assistance programs in one location.

Homeownership can bring stability to families and offer social benefits to communities. That’s why federal and state housing assistance funds are provided to local governments with limited flexibility to decide what’s best for their communities. With so many programs, terms and guidelines to follow, this process can be overwhelming. That’s why MIAMI Realtors® created one resource page to help.

Home-based business protections.

COVID-19 changed the way companies conducted business by allowing many employees to work from home. The legislature recognized this and provided protection ensuring that local governments may not prohibit, restrict, regulate, or license a home-based business different from other businesses. A home-based business may employ the residents, plus two onsite workers and unlimited remote ones. Parking should follow local zoning restrictions.

Septic tank system disclosure.

Miami-Dade County Commissioners passed a new requirement for all sellers to disclose if a septic tank system is located on their property. MIAMI Realtors worked with commissioners to remove the proposed $1,000 fine for failure to use the specific language in the ordinance, since the language in Section 4 of Florida Realtors’ seller disclosure form is more beneficial to future buyers. RPAC helped us educate commissioners to a secure victory. Both disclosure forms can be found in Form Simplicity.

COVID liability protection.

Realtors and Florida businesses now have significant liability protection from COVID-19 related lawsuits thanks to a new law, which provides immunity if a court determines a company made a good-faith effort to comply with government health standards and requires a physician to attest that the company caused the injury/damage.

REALTORS access to condo units and common areas.

After hearing from over 800 members, MIAMI Realtors and Florida Realtors successfully persuaded the legislature to change the law for condo associations, which now may not use emergency powers during state declared emergencies to prohibit owners, tenants, guests, Realtors or invitees from accessing the unit and common areas when it is necessary for the sale, lease or title transfer of a condo unit.

Unlicensed Real Estate Investigations Funded Realtors are once again protected with $500,000 toward investing and combating unlicensed real estate activity, thus protecting our members and your livelihood.

Access our complete list of RPAC victories.

Ana Maria Rodriguez is chief of strategic initiatives for MIAMI REALTORS®.