If your agent says Citizens needs a roof inspection form before it will write or renew your policy, this page explains exactly what that form is and how to get it done right. Home Pros Roofing and Contracting is a licensed Florida roofing contractor based at 1935 Rafton Rd in Apopka. We fill out Citizens and insurance roof inspection forms for homeowners across Orlando, Apopka, Orange County and Seminole County, with photos of every roof slope, and we fix what the form flags before it costs you a policy.
Below: what the Citizens Roof Inspection Form (RCF-1) is, who can sign it, when Citizens wants it instead of a 4 point inspection, what each section asks, why roofs fail it and what to do next. Call us 24/7 at 407-766-4388 or book a free roof inspection.
What is the Citizens Roof Inspection Form (RCF-1)?
The RCF-1 is a short, two page roof report published by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state backed insurer in Florida. Underwriters use it to decide whether a roof is in good enough shape to insure. The current version is labeled Sample Form RCF-1 03 25 and is titled simply Roof Inspection Form. Citizens released it in March 2025 so the roof questions would mirror the roof section of its updated 4 Point Inspection Form.
Many people still search for it as the Citizens roof certification form. That is because the older version, RCF-1 09 13, was titled Roof Condition Certification Form and asked inspectors to rate a roof as excellent, good, fair or poor. The current form asks for a simple Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory rating plus a checklist of damage. If someone hands you the old certification form, it is worth asking your agent whether the newer one is preferred. Citizens has said older versions will not be rejected, but underwriting may contact the agent about missing information.
Citizens calls it a sample form. Its special instructions say this specific form is not required, but any other inspection report must include at least the same level of detail. The form also says the information is used only to determine insurability and is not a warranty or assurance of the suitability, fitness or longevity of the roof.
Who can sign the RCF-1?
The form will not be accepted without the dated signature of an appropriately licensed Florida professional. The current RCF-1 lists:
- A general, residential, building or roofing contractor
- A building code inspector
- A Florida licensed home inspector
The signature block asks for the inspector’s title, company name, license type, license number, work phone and date. Citizens says a form may not be accepted if the professional’s Florida license is not active or cannot be verified, so a clear license number matters.
Home Pros is licensed in Florida as a Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC1332789) and a Certified General Contractor (CGC1527172), both license types the form accepts. As a licensed roofing contractor, Home Pros fills out Citizens and insurance roof inspection forms, including the RCF-1, with photos of every slope and plain notes an underwriter can follow.
RCF-1 or 4 point inspection: which one does Citizens want?
These two forms get mixed up all the time, so here is the difference.
- 4 point inspection: Citizens requires a 4 point inspection for all homeowner, dwelling and mobile home applications on properties more than 20 years old. It covers the roof, electrical, plumbing and heating and cooling systems.
- Roof Inspection Form (RCF-1): covers only the roof. Citizens asks for it when the roof is older than its age limits and you need to show the roof still has at least 5 years of remaining useful life.
Citizens says the roof section of its 4 Point Inspection Form, with photos of each roof slope, can take the place of the Roof Inspection Form. So if your home is older than 20 years and you are already getting a 4 point inspection, the roof section may cover both needs. The electrical, plumbing and HVAC sections of a full 4 point report are typically completed by a licensed home inspector or another inspector your insurer accepts, while Home Pros handles the roof. Our 4 point roof inspection guide for Orlando explains that report in detail.
The RCF-1 also does not verify loss mitigation features. Citizens points to the separate uniform mitigation verification form for that, which is the report a wind mitigation inspector completes for premium discounts.
Citizens roof age rules and remaining useful life
Citizens requires documentation of a full roof replacement for these properties to be eligible for coverage:
- Homes with shingle or other soft roofs more than 25 years old
- Homes with tile, slate, clay, concrete or metal roofs more than 50 years old
- Mobile homes with roofs more than 25 years old
The exception is the roof form. If a Florida licensed inspector documents at least 5 years of remaining useful life on a Roof Inspection Form or the roof section of a 4 Point Inspection Form, underwriters review it and decide eligibility. When a roof has less than 5 years of remaining useful life, Citizens requires proof of a full roof replacement before any policy is written.
A few details trip people up:
- Five years is the cap. Citizens counts no more than 5 years of remaining useful life, whatever the inspection shows. For roofs that qualify this way, coverage is extended for up to 5 years even if the inspection shows more life left, and Citizens may inspect at any time to confirm the roof still meets its rules.
- Partial replacements. When the whole roof was not replaced at the same time, Citizens bases the roof age on the oldest part of the roof.
- Remaining useful life is a professional estimate. Citizens says it relies on the experience of the trained professional who inspects the roof, and that the Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory rating should account for age, remaining useful life and any signs of deterioration.
- The form is not proof of a new roof. Since January 2023, Citizens does not accept the Roof Inspection Form, the 4 Point Inspection Form or the mitigation form as proof of roof replacement. For that it wants an approved permit showing completed work, an electronic permit record from the county website, or proof of completed work by a licensed contractor with a paid in full invoice.
Florida’s 15 year roof law, section 627.7011(5)
State law adds another layer for homeowners policies. Under section 627.7011(5) of the Florida Statutes, an insurer may not refuse to issue or renew a homeowners policy solely because the roof is less than 15 years old. For a roof that is at least 15 years old, the insurer must let you have the roof inspected by an authorized inspector, at your expense, before it requires a replacement, and it may not refuse coverage solely because of roof age if that inspection shows 5 years or more of useful life remaining. Roofing contractors are among the authorized inspectors the law lists.
Roof age under the statute is counted from the last date 100 percent of the roof was built or replaced, and the rule applies to policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2022. The same statute says this section does not apply to mobile home policies, so mobile home owners should rely on the Citizens rules above and their agent’s guidance. Read more about nonrenewals and roof age in our guide to Florida homeowners insurance and roof coverage.
What each section of the RCF-1 asks
The form has two matching columns, one for the predominant roof and one for any secondary roof, such as a flat roof over a porch or a metal section over an addition. Each column asks for:
- Covering material: shingle, tile, metal, flat roof membrane and so on.
- Roof age in years and remaining useful life in years.
- Date of last roofing permit and date of last update.
- If updated: full replacement or partial replacement, and the percent replaced.
- Overall condition: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory, with an explanation if unsatisfactory.
- Visible damage or deterioration: cracking, cupping or curling, excessive granule loss, exposed asphalt, exposed felt, missing, loose or cracked tabs or tiles, soft spots in decking and visible hail damage.
- Visible signs of leaks: yes or no, checked separately for the attic or underside of the decking and for interior ceilings.
Page two has an Additional Comments section. Citizens says it must be filled in with full details if the inspector notes updates (what was done, when and by whom), any visible hazard or deficiency, or any roof not in good working order. The agent must review each form before submitting an application, and agents may not submit applications for roofs not in good working order.
Photos Citizens requires with the form
Photos must accompany every Roof Inspection Form. The minimum is a photo of each roof slope and a photo of every hazard or deficiency. Here is how we handle that on a typical Orlando or Apopka home:
- Wide photos of every slope, front, back and sides, so the underwriter can see the whole roof.
- Close photos of anything checked on the damage list, such as a cracked tile or a lifted shingle.
- Photos of pipe boots, valleys and wall flashing, where leaks often start.
- Attic photos of the underside of the decking if there is any staining.
Clear, complete photos help your agent and the underwriter review the form without coming back to ask for more.
Common reasons a roof fails the Citizens form
An unsatisfactory rating usually comes from one of these:
- Active leaks or old leak stains on ceilings or in the attic. Citizens says active leaks or evidence of leaks should be repaired before an application is submitted.
- Heavy granule loss and exposed asphalt on older shingles that have baked in the Florida sun.
- Cupping, curling and cracking, often worst on the south and west slopes.
- Missing or cracked tabs or tiles after summer storms or a hurricane.
- Exposed felt where shingles or tiles slipped or blew off.
- Soft decking, usually from a slow leak at a valley, chimney or pipe boot.
- Not enough remaining useful life on a roof past the Citizens age limits.
Inspectors also notice prior repairs. A neat repair is fine, but mismatched shingles, heavy roofing cement or a caulked pipe boot can tell an underwriter the roof has problems.
How long is a Citizens roof inspection good for?
The RCF-1 itself does not print an expiration date. Citizens’ published answer on report age says a 4 point inspection report must be dated within the last 12 months before the new business application date, with shorter windows in a few special cases, and Citizens points to that same answer when the 4 point form is used in place of the RCF-1. Because the form records the date of inspection, ask your agent how recent your roof form needs to be before you schedule it. If a storm hits after your inspection, the old form may no longer reflect the roof.
What to do if your roof fails: repair or replace
A roof marked unsatisfactory does not always mean a new roof.
- Repair and reinspect. If the problem is a leak or a limited damaged area, a permitted roof repair followed by a new form is often enough. We note the repair in the comments with dates and photos.
- Replace the roof. If the roof is past its useful life, a full roof replacement resets the roof age. Keep the finaled permit and the paid in full invoice, because that is what Citizens accepts as proof.
The Florida 25 percent rule matters here. The Florida Building Code says no more than 25 percent of a roof or roof section may be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12 month period unless the covering on the entire roof or section is replaced to current code. Under section 553.844(5) of the Florida Statutes, a roof built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later only needs the repaired portion built to current code, even when 25 percent or more is being repaired.
Just bought a home with a bad roof? Citizens says recent buyers may still qualify if the purchase happens within 45 calendar days of the requested coverage date and a signed roofing contract with a licensed contractor shows a full replacement will be completed within 30 days of that date. Roof financing is available through Service Finance and Foundation Finance for good, fair and bad credit.
Permits in Orlando, Orange County, Apopka and Seminole County
The date of your last roofing permit is one of the first lines on the RCF-1, and any repair or replacement may need a new one. Who issues it depends on your address:
- City of Orlando: reroof permits come from Permitting Services, with a dry in inspection, a final inspection affidavit for deck nailing and the secondary water barrier, and a recorded Notice of Commencement over $5,000.
- Orlando historic districts: homes in districts such as Lake Eola Heights need a Certificate of Appropriateness. Roofs are on the city’s minor review list, and there is no fee for a minor review.
- Unincorporated Orange County: many Orlando and Apopka mailing addresses are outside city limits, so the permit comes from Orange County through Fast Track.
- City of Apopka: permits come from the Building Safety division through the city’s OpenGov online portal.
- Unincorporated Seminole County: the Building Division in Sanford requires an in progress inspection once the old roof is off and the flashing and underlayment are in, and a final inspection with a signed and notarized nail off affidavit and in progress photos on site.
Home Pros checks the jurisdiction for your address, pulls any permit needed and schedules the inspections. If you are not sure when your roof was last permitted, we can help you look up the permit history before the form is filled out.
Orlando and Apopka homes, roofs and HOAs
From Lake Eola to the shores of Lake Apopka, many Central Florida homes are well past the ages Citizens watches.
- Downtown Orlando and Lake Eola: the Lake Eola Heights Historic District, created in 1989, has about 570 buildings, and its greatest period of growth ran from 1905 to 1925.
- College Park: many of its best known subdivisions were platted in the 1920s, with more building after World War II. Older shingle roofs and big oaks are typical.
- Errol Estate in Apopka: development began in 1970 around a 27 hole golf course, and the first villas went up from 1972 to 1974. See our Errol Estate roofing page.
- Near Wekiwa Springs State Park: newer subdivisions across Apopka and western Orange County often have architectural shingles or concrete tile, and many sit in HOA communities.
- Mobile home communities: Citizens applies the 25 year roof limit to mobile homes too, so mobile home owners with an older roof should expect to need a roof form or proof of replacement.
On older homes, the last full roof permit, not the year the house was built, sets the roof age. If your community has an HOA, check its architectural rules before you replace a roof. Florida law limits an HOA’s architectural review to what its governing documents state or reasonably imply, and requires associations to adopt hurricane protection specifications. Learn more on our Apopka roofing, Orlando roofing contractor, Winter Park roofing and Sanford roofing pages.
Storms, claims and your roof form
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and recent storms left damage that still shows up on roof forms. During Hurricane Ian in September 2022, the National Weather Service recorded 13.20 inches of rain at Orlando International Airport and 10.95 inches near Apopka. During Hurricane Milton in October 2024, Orange County gusts peaked between 55 and 75 mph, locally as high as 87 mph, with 4 to 8 inches of rain and locally up to 10 inches.
Wind can lift and crease shingles without an immediate leak, so damage may go unnoticed until someone is on the roof filling out the form. The RCF-1 even has a box for visible hail damage. If a storm damaged your roof, call us for a roof check and photos before your inspection or a claim. For the bigger picture on insurers and roofs, see our roof inspection for insurance page and our main roof inspection page.
Home Pros Roofing and Contracting is a member of The Good Contractors List, an exclusive network that approves contractors only after a rigorous vetting process. Very few Florida contractors meet that standard, which is why you will find so few of them listed. Qualifying work is backed by the list's $25,000 third party workmanship guarantee, free to homeowners, so you can hire with confidence. View our Good Contractors List profile.
Why Central Florida homeowners call Home Pros for the Citizens roof form
Home Pros Roofing and Contracting has served Central Florida since 2015. We are licensed in Florida as a Certified General Contractor (CGC1527172) and a Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC1332789), we are a TAMKO Pro Certified Contractor and a CertainTeed ShingleMaster, and we answer the phone 24/7. One local team handles the roof check, the Citizens roof form, any repair or replacement and the permit.
Need a Citizens roof inspection form? Call 407-766-4388, email [email protected], or book a free roof inspection.
Citizens Roof Inspection Form FAQs for Orlando and Apopka
What is the Citizens RCF-1 form?
It is the Citizens Roof Inspection Form, labeled Sample Form RCF-1 03 25. A Florida licensed professional fills it out to report the roof covering, roof age, remaining useful life, last permit date, overall condition and any damage or leaks, with photos of every slope. An older version was called the Roof Condition Certification Form.
Can a roofer sign the Citizens Roof Inspection Form?
Yes. The RCF-1 accepts the dated signature of a general, residential, building or roofing contractor, a building code inspector or a Florida licensed home inspector. As a licensed roofing contractor, Home Pros fills out Citizens and insurance roof inspection forms, including the RCF-1.
Do I need the RCF-1 or a 4 point inspection?
Citizens requires a 4 point inspection for homes more than 20 years old, and the roof section of that form, with photos of each slope, can take the place of the RCF-1. If your agent only needs proof of the roof's condition and remaining useful life, the RCF-1 covers just the roof.
How old can my roof be before Citizens asks for the roof form?
Citizens wants proof of a full replacement for shingle and other soft roofs more than 25 years old, tile, slate, clay, concrete or metal roofs more than 50 years old, and mobile home roofs more than 25 years old, unless a roof form shows at least 5 years of remaining useful life.
How long is a Citizens roof inspection good for?
The RCF-1 does not print an expiration date. Citizens says a 4 point inspection report must be dated within the last 12 months before a new business application, and it points to that same rule when the 4 point form is used for the roof. Ask your agent how recent your form needs to be.
What happens if my roof fails the Citizens roof inspection?
If the problem is a leak or a limited damaged area, a permitted repair and a new form is often enough. If the roof has less than 5 years of remaining useful life, Citizens requires proof of a full roof replacement, such as a finaled permit or a paid in full invoice from a licensed contractor.
Can I get Citizens coverage on a home I just bought with a bad roof?
Possibly. Citizens says buyers may still qualify if the purchase is within 45 calendar days of the requested coverage date and a signed contract with a licensed roofing contractor shows a full replacement will be completed within 30 days of that date.
How do I get a Citizens roof form done in Orlando or Apopka?
Call Home Pros at 407-766-4388, 24/7. We serve Orlando, Apopka and the rest of Orange and Seminole counties, and we will check the roof, photograph every slope and tell you honestly what the form is likely to show.
Sources
- Citizens Property Insurance: Inspections (4 point and older roof requirements)
- Citizens Property Insurance: sample Roof Inspection Form, RCF-1 03 25
- Citizens Property Insurance: older Roof Condition Certification Form, RCF-1 09 13
- Citizens Property Insurance: sample 4 Point Inspection Form
- Citizens Property Insurance: Roof and 4 Point Inspection Form Updates (March 2025)
- Citizens Property Insurance: Roof Rule Changes (2023)
- Citizens Property Insurance: Required Document Updates for Roof Requirements (2023)
- Citizens Property Insurance: Roof Requirements for New Purchases (2025)
- Citizens support: roof age requirements for personal residential policies
- Citizens support: using the 4 Point Inspection Form in place of the RCF-1
- Citizens support: acceptable age of a 4 point inspection report
- Citizens support: how roof condition is determined
- Section 627.7011, Florida Statutes: roof age and homeowners policies
- Section 553.844, Florida Statutes: roof repairs and the 2007 code exception
- Florida Building Code, Existing Building, 8th Edition (2023), Chapter 7
- City of Orlando: Apply for a Residential Roof Permit
- City of Orlando: Historic Preservation Districts
- Orange County: Roof Permit
- City of Apopka: Permitting and the OpenGov portal
- Seminole County Building Division: Re Roof Inspection Process
- National Weather Service Melbourne: Rainfall Totals From Ian
- NOAA Storm Events Database: Hurricane Milton in Orange County
- National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology
- Section 720.3035, Florida Statutes: HOA architectural control and hurricane protection
- College Park, Orlando: neighborhood history