Doing Business in Florida Blog

Florida State Sales Tax Rate on Commercial Real Property Leases Reduced

November 26, 2017
Barry D. Lapides  |  Commercial Real Estate, home owners associations, Real Estate, Real Estate Litigation

Florida State Sales Tax Rate on Commercial Real Property Leases Reduced Beginning January, 2018 As anyone who is involved in leasing commercial real property in Florida is aware, the State of Florida imposes a sales tax on rental payments for the lease of real property. The tax is imposed not only on the base rent, but also on any additional rent, or any

Vlog: The Tides have Changed: New Storm Surge Predictions from the NHC

June 4, 2017
Gina Clausen Lozier  |  Hurricane Preparedness, Insurance, Real Estate Litigation, Uncategorized

The Tides have Changed: Berger Singerman attorney Gina Clausen Lozier interviews WPEC CBS 12 meteorologist Lauren Olesky on what you need to know about the new storm surge predictions from the National Hurricane Center. Click here to watch For more information on what you need to know to protect your right to insurance benefits please do not hesitate to

It's Time to Batten Down the Construction Site in Anticipation of Severe Weather

June 4, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Condominiums, Construction Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Hurricane Preparedness, Real Estate Litigation

Hurricane season begins on June 1. Construction companies have a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care to protect and secure their job sites in anticipation of severe weather. Unsecured construction debris, tools, equipment or materials can be blown from the site and strike other property or persons. Taking reasonable precautions can help prevent

Legislation to Overhaul Florida's Construction: Defect Law Moving Through the Legislature

April 16, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Condominiums, Construction Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Real Estate Litigation, Residential Real Estate

In my March 1, 2017 blog, I discussed how Florida SB 1164 seeks major changes in Florida's construction defect law, including requiring contractors to notify subcontractors of an owner’s notice of defects, requiring notice to and acknowledgment from owners of the risks and benefits of accepting or rejecting repair offers, requiring the claimant or agent

Florida's Construction Defect Statute: Renovation Begins Again

February 28, 2017
Jeffrey S. Wertman  |  Condominiums, Construction Litigation, Litigation, Real Estate, Real Estate Litigation, Residential Real Estate

Renovation is underway again on Florida’s construction defect law, Chapter 558 of the Florida Statutes. Florida’s construction defect law requires the owner of real property in Florida to provide contractors, developers and other construction parties with a formal written notice of potential construction defects and the reasonable opportunity to fix the defects before a construction defect lawsuit is filed.