Recently, there have been some changes to Florida Statute that may impact your industry. Please read below to learn more about HB 481, HB 623, and HB 939.

HB 481 – General, Building, Residential, Air Conditioning, and Mechanical Contractors

On May 28, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed HB 481 into law. Effective July 1, 2024, the law provides for the following:

• When residential real property that includes a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is conveyed to a new owner on or after July 1, 2024, a manufacturer’s warranty in effect for the system (or a component of the system) is automatically transferred to the new owner and shall continue to be in effect as if the new owner was the original purchaser.
• Warrantors for HVAC systems continue to be obligated under the terms of the original manufacturer’s warranty agreement for warranties transferred under this law and may not charge a fee for the transfer of the warranty. However, the transfer of a warranty does not extend the remaining term of the warranty.
• A manufacturer’s warranty of a HVAC system or component of the system may not be conditioned upon the registration of the product.The law removes specific requirements for registration of HVAC systems by contractors licensed under part I of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes.
  

Additionally, the law requires that:

• The full length of a manufacturer’s, distributor’s, or retailer’s warranty of an HVAC system or any component of a system is effective in this state on the date of installation if the system installed by a contractor licensed under chapter 489, Florida Statutes.
• If a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer provides a product registration card, the registration card must contain the following information:The card or form is for the registration of a product.
  Failure to complete and return the card or form does not diminish any warranty rights or decrease the warranty length.
  
• Any offered manufacturer’s, distributor’s, or retailer’s warranty for an HVAC system or a component of the system may not be in any way conditioned upon the registration of the product.