In Florida, if you have been the victim of malpractice incurred by a real estate agent, you have two options. You can either file a civil lawsuit seeking damages for the losses suffered or file an official complaint with Florida Real Estate Commission.
In this article, you will find out how to file an official complaint against a real estate agent in Florida.
How Do I File a Complaint Against a Realtor in Florida? – The Basics
When someone is planning to purchase or sell a property, they may want to rely on the services of a real estate agent. However, things may not end as expected when services provided by a realtor do not meet the required professional standards.
Before filing a complaint against a realtor, it is crucial to know whether the salesperson is actually licensed by the State of Florida. In this sense, the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is the agency responsible for administering and enforcing the real estate license law.
The FREC is a division of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation consisting of has seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
If you want to obtain information regarding the status of the license of a real estate agent in Florida, it is possible to do so by calling (850) 487-1395. Additionally, it is possible to check about any past or present disciplinary actions against a licensee.
Filing a Complaint With FREC – Understanding the Process
It is possible to file a complaint with FREC against an unscrupulous real estate agent. Typically, the most common complaints received by FREC include situations wherein an agent:
- Did not tell the truth about a fact concerning a property
- Remained silent when they had the duty to disclose information
- Acted with the intent to deceive a prospective buyer in some way
- Failed to provide the actual square footage of a property
- Failed to reveal issues associated with the community where the property is located
- Failed to reveal development issues to real estate investors
- Did not reveal discrepancies in different property appraisals
- Did not reveal hidden problems affecting the property (e.g., structure issues, termites, mold, etc.)
To determine the existence of grounds to file a complaint against a realtor in Florida, make sure to sit down with an expert real estate attorney to have your case assessed in detail. When someone files a complaint with FREC, the claim is reviewed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
If the DBPR identifies a violation of the Florida Statutes (Fla. Sta. §475), an investigation will begin. As provided by Florida Statute §475.25, a real estate agent may face punishment if the investigation identifies the occurrence of fraud, omission, or other issues.
The penalties for liable realtors include probation, suspension of license, an official reprimand, and an administrative fine for each offense committed (up to $5,000).
Still, it is crucial to note that these administrative penalties are not designed to repair the injuries suffered by victims. Accordingly, damages must be recovered through a lawsuit filed in a Florida civil court.
If you want to file a complaint against a realtor with FREC, you may contact the agency at (850) 487-1395. Besides, it is possible to file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General’s Office using their official website (myfloridalegal.com).
Do You Want to File a Complaint Against a Realtor in Florida? – Work with an Expert Attorney Immediately
Although filing a complaint with FREC is simple and toll-free, recovering the injuries caused by realtor malpractice requires an expert legal approach. Waste no time – call Attorney Romy B. Jurado today at (305) 921-0976 or email [email protected] to schedule a consultation.
