§ 697.08, Fla. Stat. · Chapter 697. INSTRUMENTS DEEMED MORTGAGES AND THE NATURE OF A MORTGAGE
Equity skimming.
Text — 2026 Florida Statutes
(1) It is unlawful for any person, with intent to defraud the owner of real property, to engage in equity skimming, which is, to:
(a) Purchase, within a 3-year period, two or more single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, three-family dwellings, or four-family dwellings, or a combination thereof, that are subject to a loan that is in default at the time of purchase or within 1 year after the time of purchase, which loan is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust;
(b) Fail to make payments under the mortgage or deed of trust as the payments become due, regardless of whether the purchaser is obligated on the loan; and
(c) Apply, or authorize the application of, rents from such dwellings for the person’s own use.
(2) A violation of subsection (1) constitutes a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
s. 1, ch. 94-288; s. 775, ch. 97-102.
Source of truth
- Edition
- 2026 Florida Statutes
- Official file
- https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0697/0697.html
- Text hash
- sha256 afa11abf022d2bbbe3acbd7c7a846ab8a7d2af4a829090cec24a40918bee74c8
- Composed by
- compose_v2.py 2026-10-04: the Legislature's structured HTML read in document order; verify_v2.py's independent reading agrees character for character
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This section cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
The Florida Statutes
- § 775.082, Fla. Stat.Penalties; applicability of sentencing structures; mandatory minimum sentences for certain reoffenders previously released from prison.Printed as s. 775.082
- § 775.083, Fla. Stat.Fines.Printed as s. 775.083
- § 775.084, Fla. Stat.Violent career criminals; habitual felony offenders and habitual violent felony offenders; three-time violent felony offenders; definitions; procedure; enhanced penalties or mandatory minimum prison terms.Printed as s. 775.084
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.