Archive: November 2020

If you are like most business owners, you will do all it takes to protect your business at all costs. However, under certain circumstances, you may be unable to protect your business from unexpected events such as a natural disaster or pandemic.

Every business owner must consider purchasing business interruption insurance to protect their company from the unexpected extra expenses and loss of income. However, you need to understand what is covered under business interruption insurance before investing in it.

Business interruption insurance is a coverage that can help replace the income your business loses in the event of physical damage or covered loss. This type of insurance is very popular among business owners in Florida because the Sunshine State is no stranger to hurricanes that cause devastating damages and financial losses to businesses.

Your business may benefit from having business interruption insurance coverage because you need to be prepared for the unexpected. If you own or operate a business in Florida, having business interruption insurance is almost a necessity because of the hurricane season.

The board of directors of a Homeowners’ Association (HOA) is elected by the residents of the community. An HOA is a governing body that makes and enforces many rules that impact the entire community. One of the HOA’s duties is to protect the value of its residents’ homes.

But what about denying buyers or renters in the community? Can an HOA decide who can and cannot buy or rent homes in the community? In Florida, HOAs have a legal right to approve or deny potential buyers and tenants if they do not meet specific criteria outlined in the association’s governing documents.

The Association’s Decision Cannot Be Discriminatory

HOA/Condo laws in Florida allow HOAs considerable discretion in approving or denying potential buyers and renters. While associations can apply the screening process to deny buyers and renters, the decision cannot be discriminatory or violate the Fair Housing Act.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, familial status, and national origin.

If your landlord fails to make necessary repairs or violates housing codes, you may be thinking about stopping to pay rent. But are you legally allowed to do that in Florida without facing an eviction notice?

What Are the Obligations and Duties of Your Landlord?

In Florida, landlords are legally required to comply with housing, building, health codes, laws, and ordinances. The exact duties of your landlord depend on whether you rent an apartment, home, or commercial premises.

If you live in an apartment building, your landlord is required to provide or ensure:

If you live in a standalone home, it is important to review your lease agreement. Many landlords delegate many of their duties and obligations to tenants.

What to Do if Your Landlord Fails to Make Repairs?

If your landlord violates housing codes or fails to make necessary repairs or keep the environment clean and free of hazards, you should discuss your options with a competent landlord & tenant attorney in your city.