The coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic (or perhaps the resulting monetary policy) has caused materials costs to skyrocket. In the past year, as of early February 2021, steel prices are up about 27%; copper prices are up about 37%; rubber prices are up about 62%; lumber prices are up about 113%; […]
A lis pendens is a common tool used in Florida to put third parties on notice of a pending lawsuit against real estate. If filed properly, a lis pendens protects the plaintiff in a lawsuit from any intervening liens on the property filed after the lis pendens. However, property owners […]
As discussed in parts 1-4 of this series, lenders have several options prior to instituting a commercial foreclosure action. Additionally, as briefly discussed in part 5 of this series, during the foreclosure action, lenders have options to try to preserve the value of the underlying collateral and to minimize further […]
Sometimes, foreclosure of a commercial property is the only option available to lenders and servicers to limit losses as a result of defaults on hotel and restaurant mortgages. Parts 1-4 of this series discussed pre-foreclosure options available to lenders dealing with hotel/restaurant mortgage defaults. This article provides a high-level overview […]
Parts 1-3 of this series explored alternative pre-foreclosure loss mitigation options for lenders including acceleration and enforcement of personal guarantees. This article explores Section 697.07, Florida Statutes, which governs the assignment of rents. Assignment of Rents under Section 697.07, Florida Statutes Pursuant to Section 697.07, Florida Statutes, a mortgage or […]
In reviewing a loan file after a default by a borrower, lenders should evaluate whether the loan includes an acceleration clause and whether the loan is secured by any personal guaranties. With commercial loans, typically the loan documents will include an acceleration clause, which allows the lender to accelerate all […]
Generally, a commercial landlord does not have a duty to mitigate or reduce its damages after a tenant breaches the commercial lease agreement. See Coast Fed. Savs. & Loan Ass’n v. DeLoach, 362 So. 2d 982, 984 (Fla. 2d DCA 1978). However, there is an exception where the commercial landlord […]
The value of property can be highly dependent on the rights—like easements and rights-of-way—that come along with it. For example, your property value will be affected by the extent of your ability to build on the property, or if a neighboring property owner has the right to drive through your […]
Part 1 of this series provided an overview of Florida’s Consumer Collections Practices Act (FCCPA) and explained why it is imperative for all business owners to be aware of, and understand, the FCCPA. This article explores Section 559.77’s bona fide error defense and how businesses can be prepared to defend […]
All businesses in the state of Florida need to be familiar with Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act (“FCCPA”). The FCCPA is found at Sections 559.55-559.785 of the Florida Statutes. The FCCPA is intended to protect consumers and is intentionally unfair to creditors. See §559.552, Fla. Stat. (2019); Kelly v. Duggan, […]