Can You Lose the Homestead Exemption in Florida?

Yes — homeowners can lose their Homestead Exemption if the property no longer qualifies as their primary residence or if they violate the conditions set by Florida law. The exemption is designed to protect permanent residents, and maintaining eligibility requires honesty about occupancy, ownership, and intent to reside in the home full-time.

Common Reasons Homeowners Lose Their Homestead Exemption

1. Renting Out the Property

If you begin renting your homesteaded home — even part of it — your county property appraiser may consider it an income-producing property instead of your primary residence. Extended or full-time rentals often result in the loss or reduction of your exemption.

2. Moving Out or Changing Domicile

If you move out of Florida or claim residency in another state (for example, by filing taxes or registering to vote elsewhere), your Florida Homestead Exemption may be automatically revoked. Florida law requires the home to remain your primary domicile.

3. Property Title Changes

Transferring ownership — such as adding or removing a spouse, placing the home in a trust, or selling to a family member — can reset ownership and require a new application. Failing to reapply after a title change is one of the most common causes of losing the exemption.

4. Fraud or Misrepresentation

Providing false information or claiming more than one Homestead Exemption (even unintentionally) can trigger an audit and penalties. Property appraisers are authorized to review past filings and assess taxes retroactively for fraudulent claims.

What Happens If You Lose the Exemption?

If your exemption is revoked, the county may assess back taxes for up to 10 years, plus 15% annual interest and a 50% penalty on unpaid amounts. Restoring eligibility requires proving permanent Florida residency and reapplying with your local property appraiser.

How to Protect Your Exemption

• Keep your Florida driver’s license, voter registration, and vehicle registration at your homestead address.
• Avoid renting out your entire home for extended periods.
• Notify the county property appraiser of ownership or marital status changes and reapply promptly.

Related Articles

• What Is the Florida Homestead Exemption?
• Eligibility Requirements for the Florida Homestead Exemption

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent out part of my Florida homestead and still keep the exemption?

Renting part of your home occasionally may be allowed, but full-time or long-term rentals can cause you to lose the exemption. Always check with your county property appraiser before leasing your property.

What should I do if my Homestead Exemption was removed?

Contact your county property appraiser immediately to review the reason for removal. You can reapply if eligible and must provide proof of permanent Florida residency, such as a driver’s license and voter registration.

Can the county audit my Homestead Exemption?

Yes. County property appraisers regularly audit homestead exemptions for accuracy and may revoke or assess back taxes if they find violations or misrepresentation.