Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Security Deposits In Landlord-Tenant Law
Nowadays, most residential leases require what is known as a security deposit, given to the landlord before a tenant can move into a home or apartment. Security deposits ostensibly provide some financial protection to landlords, though they can also be the impetus for some of the most common disagreements between landlords and tenants. If… Read More »
What A Deed Does & Does Not Convey
A deed is the legal instrument that officially conveys an interest in a piece of property from seller to buyer; thus, a real estate transaction is not definitively concluded until the buyer has the deed in their possession. However, what the average real estate buyer may not be aware of immediately is that there… Read More »
Condominium Associations & Security – Who Is Liable After A Crime?
It is more and more common in recent years for condo associations in Florida to enlist outside security companies to protect their premises. While this can provide residents with some peace of mind, it does open up potential legal issues, particularly if crime persists. It is crucial that a condo association understand the rights… Read More »
Landlord Responsibilities For Repairing Florida Dwellings
If you are a landlord and enter into a contract with a tenant to rent your dwelling, both you and the tenant have certain responsibilities you must uphold in order for the contract to exist unbroken. One of a landlord’s major duties is to ‘upkeep’ the residence, including heat or air conditioning if it… Read More »
Should I Ever Waive The Appraisal Gap When Buying A Florida Home?
Purchasing a Florida home can sometimes be a highly complex endeavor, with so much depending on short-term supply and demand. One major part of a real estate purchase is the appraisal – after all, a purchase and sale agreement cannot usually be created without both potential parties being aware of the value of the… Read More »
Condominium Associations & Electric Vehicles
The International Energy Agency reports that in 2023, one of every five vehicles sold worldwide was electric. This change is slowly being reflected in the United States, and with more electric vehicles (EVs) comes the need for more EV chargers. Florida’s legislature sees this as a positive, and has amended laws for residents in… Read More »
Explaining The Florida Landlord’s Right Of Entry
In this day and age, the right to privacy has become more important than ever, and nowhere is this more evident than in one’s home. A right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of one’s home is enshrined in Florida’s common law and in its jurisprudence, but if you are renting, there is one important… Read More »
Potential Pitfalls For Florida Real Estate Investors
The real estate market in Florida is in constant flux, and while it can be lucrative, it can also carry significant risks – including some all but unique. If you are looking to invest in it, it is important to tread carefully, as it is unfortunately all too easy to invest where one should… Read More »
HB913 May Make Major Changes To Post-Surfside Condo Bill
In 2021, the tower at Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, collapsed, killing almost 100 people. In the aftermath, the Florida state legislature passed a bill requiring that condo associations contribute certain amounts toward reserves (designed for emergency repairs) each year. However, a bill recently passed in both houses of the Florida legislature (as… Read More »
Landlords, Tenants, and Subleases In Florida
Subleases are common in residential landlord-tenant law, allowing a tenant who has to suddenly leave to ensure their commitment to the landlord is fulfilled by assigning the rent obligation to someone else. However, the landlord has the right to veto a sublease in most cases if they suspect the obligation will not be met…. Read More »