Real Estate & Property Law

WHEN IS IT JUST MOLD AND WHEN IS IT SOMETHING ELSE?

Posted on October 08, 2009
Guest Article by: Felix Martin, P.E., Principal Marcon Forensics Orlando, FL While inspecting the interior of a residential unit, you observe black mold growing on the walls.  Is it a sign of poor housekeeping or of more serious problems?  Should you consider vacating the unit immediately or ignore it altogether? Mold infestation is a widely misunderstood malaise, both in terms of overestimating and underestimating its potential danger...

Is there a "best suited" law firm for Developer Turnover Transition to Homeowners?

Posted on August 20, 2009
HIRING TWO LAW FIRMS   Every condominium association should have a general counsel under retainer to advise on day-to-day operations and ongoing legal issues.  During the transition period, general counsel can be of great assistance to a new Board in getting acclimated to the varied requirements:   ‚    Documents ‚    State Statutes ‚    State Administrative Rules & Regulations ‚    Common Law (court-created law) Governing Condominium Operations   The transition period is also the time for the construction quality of the building and improvements to be evaluated and for Association financial operation during the period of developer control to be scrutinized...

Court Ruling Favors Victims of Bank Scam - Victory by Levin Tannenbaum

Posted on July 21, 2009
Court ruling favors victims of bank scam By John Hielscher Published Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 1:00 a.m. It took nearly six months, but a federal appeals court has denied motions to reconsider its decision that awarded victim status to hundreds of Coast Bank loan customers...

Clients with Chinese Drywall Issues

Posted on July 13, 2009
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Article on several of Levin Tannenbaum Clients with Chinese Drywall Issues - for homeowners dealing with Chinese-made drywall, the concerns grow more urgent with the arrival of a new child. www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article  Drywall dilemma deep for parents GO OR STAY? For homeowners dealing with Chinese-made drywall, the concerns grow more urgent with the arrival of a new child By Aaron Kessler   Having a baby -- especially when it is a first child -- is enough of a challenge for most new parents...

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What You Need To Know About Short Sales, 6/17/09 at SAR Headquarters

Posted on June 02, 2009
Cancellation of Debt - 1099-C:  Short Sale on Property  1099 A and 1099C: Do you know what it means? Do you know the impact on the sale of your property? What do you know about the 1099-C form, and Cancellation  of Debt? Find out at a special seminar set for Wednesday, June 17th from 9 to 11 a...

Levin Tannenbaum Firm Video - Construction Law and Defect Lawyers Representing Community Associations and Condominium Board of Directors

Posted on April 21, 2009
 Levin Tannenbaum Firm Video: Construction Law and Litigation for Community Associations, Condominium Board of Directors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFGSPRamjXY   Levin Tannenbaum is an A.V.-rated law firm serving the Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida markets from our Sarasota, FL office...

The LawBusiness Insider Radio Show

Posted on April 03, 2009
I was recently a guest speaker on ABC RADIO, along with Jeff Raizner, of Doyler Raizner LLP.  You can "LISTEN IN" to our interview by following this link to their website:  "Americas Premier Lawyer Series - Top Verdicts"  

America's Premier Lawyers Series: ABC Radio with Alan Tannenbaum

Posted on April 03, 2009
Alan Tannenbaum was recently a guest speaker on America's Premier Lawyers Series on ABC RADIO, along with Jeff Raizner, of Doyler Raizner LLP.  You can "LISTEN IN" to our interview by following this link to their website:  "Americas Premier Lawyer Series - Top Verdicts"  

So you think you have Chinese Drywall, what next?

Posted on April 01, 2009
THE CASE OF THE SMELLY DRYWALL - "CHINESE DRYWALL" We have been visited by several prospective clients concerning drywall in their home that is causing bad odors, has damaged copper air-conditioning and electrical components and may be making their family members ill...

U.S. Agency Sets Inquiry - Chinese Drywall

Posted on February 27, 2009

Decision Time on Chinese Drywall - Herald Tribune Article

Posted on February 10, 2009
"A lot of the builders involved have been reluctant to do anything at all, with the exception of Lennar," Chaikin said. "They have just said, 'We're studying the issue and will let you know,' or they simply say nothing. If the builders won't cooperate we have recourse against them...

Chinese Drywall Class Action Is Not The Way To Go

Posted on February 10, 2009
"A lot of the builders involved have been reluctant to do anything at all, with the exception of Lennar," Chaikin said. "They have just said, 'We're studying the issue and will let you know,' or they simply say nothing. If the builders won't cooperate we have recourse against them...

The Case of The Smelly Drywall - Chinese Drywall

Posted on January 22, 2009
THE CASE OF THE SMELLY DRYWALL - "CHINESE DRYWALL" We have been visited by several prospective clients concerning drywall in their home that is causing bad odors, has damaged copper air-conditioning and electrical components and may be making their family members ill...

Defending Victim Rights: Dispute Is Over Coast Verdict

Posted on January 20, 2009
Sarasota Herald Tribune, 1-27-2009  "Dispute Is Over Coast Verdict":  Alan Tannenbaum defending the rights of victims of financial fraud (article posted by Tricia M. Foster) As part of the plea deal, the government agreed that Coast Bank, not the borrowers, was the single victim of the crime...

CAI Suncoast Breakfast: Legal Panel Q&A

Posted on January 19, 2009
Community Associations Institute - Suncoast Chapter:  Come have breakfast while CAI provides you updated information valuable to every board member and every unit/homeowner as an aid in providing the best management of your association. “Almost” Free Legal Advice Speakers:   Alan Tannenbaum, Esq...

Finally...Automatic Class Action Standing for Florida Homeowner Associations

Posted on December 30, 2008
Until 2008, Florida condominium associations had a distinct advantage over Florida homeowner associations as far as pursuing construction defect and financial claims on a class action basis. Basically, Florida condominium associations by court rule since 1977 had automatic standing to represent their owners as a class on matters of common interest...

How Was Your Money Attended to Pre-Transition?

Posted on December 30, 2008
Florida community associations are big businesses, with annual budgets for larger projects running into the tens of millions of dollars. At its inception to the point of transition to owner control (which usually is at least a couple of years), each association is operated by a board of directors appointed by the developer...

AIA Owner/Architect and Owner/General Contract Forms - Beware of Arbitration Glitch

Posted on December 30, 2008
AIA contract forms are popular for major community association repair contracts. Unfortunately, the AIA (American Institute of Architects), presumeably to shield architects from liability, long ago created an arbitration glitch in instances where the Owner/Architect and Owner/General Contractor Contract forms are being utilized for a given project...

Construction Warranty Rights for Unit Owners in Florida Condominium Conversions

Posted on December 30, 2008
Unit owners in Florida condominiums converted from preexisting apartment buildings have inferior rights and remedies to recover for construction defects as compared to the rights and remedies available to unit owners in new Florida condominiums. Unit owners in new condominiums have statutory warranty protection under F...

Proving What Was On Major Rehab Projects

Posted on December 30, 2008
Every remedial project has the potential of causing damage to building components and personal property. It is typical to charge back the contractor for such damage. Remedial projects requiring work on both the common elements and unit interiors present special challenges in documenting such damage...

Sarasota Herald Tribune - Banker Rethinks His Plea of Guilty

Posted on December 17, 2008
Sarasota Herald Tribune Continuing Media Series:  Mortgage Fraud and Victim Rights, comments by Alan E. Tannenbaum, Managing Partner, Levin Tannenbaum. Sarasota attorney Alan Tannenbaum, who represents more than 100 Coast loan customers, convinced the 11th U...

Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Court Victory for Borrowers

Posted on December 17, 2008
Court Victory for Borrowers:  At stake is $3 million in restitution  "It was the most favorable decision the victims could have hoped for", Tannenbaum said Friday. Tannenbaum invoked the Crime Victims' Rights Act on behalf of 104 Coast borrowers.