Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How HOAs Collect Delinquent Assessments
In Florida and the other states that use them, homeowners’ associations (HOAs) have the right to collect assessments from owners for unexpected expenses. While owners may complain, the right to do this is contained in both Florida law, and in most HOAs’ conditions, covenants & restrictions (CC&Rs), which must be approved before purchasing land… Read More »
Why Do I Need A Florida Real Estate Lawyer?
It is true that in Florida, one does not need a real estate attorney for most residential real estate transactions. However, it is definitely in the average person’s best interest to hire one anyway, simply because doing so may help to protect you from easily avoidable errors or problems during the process. If you… Read More »
Common Questions At Florida Real Estate Closings
The closing is the last step of what can be a complex process of buying real estate. While the process in Florida is fairly straightforward, it is not uncommon for last-minute questions or concerns to crop up before the closing can be successfully completed. Both buyer and seller may want to be reassured about… Read More »
Crucial Factors For Landlords In Florida Residential Evictions
Eviction is a fact of life in Florida real estate law, as unpleasant as it can be for both the landlord and the tenant. Most landlords are not averse to giving a tenant a grace period or another kind of break, but eventually, the landlord’s own obligations prevent them from carrying the tenant any… Read More »
The Most Common Real Estate Closing Issues In Florida
Residential real estate closings can be complex endeavors, simply because the stakes are so high in the underlying transaction. A home is a significant investment, and naturally, both parties to a real estate transaction want it to conclude swiftly and successfully. However, certain issues have a way of appearing at the last possible moment…. Read More »
Evicting Non-Compliant Tenants In Florida
Landlord-tenant law is a forever-contentious area, often with both sides of legal disputes being firmly convinced they are in the right. However, when a tenant does something to deliberately break their lease or breach one or more of the terms, the landlord’s right to evict the tenant is crystal clear. If you are trying… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Emotional Support Animals
Many people have pets and love them, but some companion animals have important work to do for their owners. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for their disabled owners, such as alerting a diabetic to low blood sugar, or providing pressure grounding and comfort for a person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)…. Read More »
Can Individual HOA Board Members Be Sued In Florida?
Despite the fact that most board members in homeowners’ and condominium associations are volunteers, being a board member is a job that comes with quite a bit of responsibility. Community association boards generally have a fiduciary duty to their owners, and because of this, owners may file suit in an effort to hold them… Read More »
Is Secondhand Smoke A Violation Of Florida Condo Laws?
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that between 2005 and 2020, the number of U.S. adults who regularly smoke cigarettes has declined from roughly 21 percent down to 12.5 percent. Smoking has also become more and more proscribed in public – but in some cases, smoking can be a nuisance… Read More »
Florida Real Estate And The Fair Housing Act
Both Florida’s legislature and the U.S. federal government have established Fair Housing Acts, intended to curb discrimination on the basis of race/color, sex/gender, religion, national origin, and disability, among others. However, sometimes discrimination is not that easy to detect, particularly if someone has not had to buy or rent a home before. If you… Read More »