The Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund (“Recovery Fund”), established under ss. 489.140–489.144, F.S., provides financial recourse for homeowners who have suffered losses due to the misconduct of licensed contractors. The Recovery Fund is administered by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation […]
Florida homeowners associations have long been a cornerstone of community governance. Proposed legislation known as House Bill 657 or HB 657 could significantly change how these associations operate and, in some cases, lead to their dissolution. If enacted, HB 657 would take effect on July 1, 2026 and would introduce […]
Snow may not be in the air in Florida, but the holiday season is almost here. With the new year come new business prospects and with them new challenges and potential pitfalls. To help you deal with these challenges, here is the second half of a list of twelve real […]
As the holiday season approaches, many of Florida’s real estate licensees are preparing for the end of the 2025 fiscal year and business planning ahead to new opportunities. As the 12 Days of Christmas approach, here is the first half of a list of twelve real estate violations for licensees […]
The situation is all too familiar: a busy real estate broker has failed to monitor one of their sales associates properly. The sales associate has taken money from a client and accidentally placed it in their own bank account. They either do not know or forgot the full requirements to […]
The Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund is a powerful tool for homeowners who have been wronged by a licensed contractor. The “Recovery Fund” or “the Fund,” as it’s often known, helps homeowners who have been harmed by a licensed contractor. Created under section 489.140 of the Florida Statutes, the Fund […]
Commercial Rent Tax Repeal Florida’s longstanding commercial rent tax will officially end on October 1, 2025, under the state’s 2025 tax package signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis. For decades, Florida was the only state to impose a state-level sales tax on the rental of commercial real property, such […]
For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), a commercial lease is more than a real estate contract – it is often the physical foundation of their operations. But what happens when the landlord threatens to evict? Commercial lease disputes can escalate quickly, and Florida law provides clear procedures for both landlords […]
Commercial leases should never be one-size-fits-all. Small and midsize business (SMB) tenants often assume lease terms cannot be negotiated — but in many cases, they can. Landlords may be open to negotiating key provisions, especially when dealing with financially stable tenants or those committing to longer terms. Customizing lease terms […]
As the commercial real estate (“CRE”) market braces for a potential financial crisis in 2025, the landscape is riddled with uncertainty. A high volume of commercial mortgages are set to mature (estimated at $950 billion over the next twelve months), and the financial and operational stresses on borrowers are expected […]