Original Message:
Re: I worked at a timeshare SCAM....I want to tell you about it. (by Judi Kozlowski - Re/Max P.):
Court Rules in Landmark Case on Timeshare Advanced Listing Fees and Unlicensed Real Estate Activity Save Email Print
A | A | A DBPR Press Release:
TALLAHASSEE—Last Thursday concluded an 11-year court battle over timeshare advanced listing fees and the unlicensed practice of real estate by an out-of-state entity. In Department of Business and Professional Regulation v. Stroman Realty, Inc., Case No. 37 1998 CA 000490, Leon County Circuit Court Judge P. Kevin Davey ruled that a Florida real estate license is required for all transactions involving timeshare real estate property located in Florida and where the seller of the timeshare real estate interest resides in Florida. The court also ruled that the collection of advanced listing fees from Florida residents, regardless of the location of the property, and owners of Florida timeshares is prohibited.
The court retained jurisdiction to decide whether there should be penalties imposed, and if so, what would be the appropriate amount of penalties, including reimbursement to those complainants who filed a complaint with the department before the close of the trial.
The two issues at the heart of the matter are the 1995 legislation, Section 721.20(6), Florida Statutes, that prohibits the collection of any advance fee for the listing of any timeshare estate or timeshare license, and the requirement that any seller of a timeshare plan be a licensed real estate broker, broker associate or sales associate as defined in Section 475.01, Florida Statutes.
The department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.