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DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE. Bureau of Enforcement. License Efficiently. Regulate Fairly. 3613. COMPLAINTS. Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Real Estate = 3751 Appraisal = 206 Unlicensed = 690 Total = 3957 Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Real Estate = 3470 Appraisal = 143 Unlicensed = 732 Total = 3613.
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DIVISION OF REAL ESTATE Bureau of Enforcement
License Efficiently Regulate Fairly
COMPLAINTS Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Real Estate = 3751 Appraisal =206 Unlicensed = 690 Total = 3957 Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Real Estate = 3470 Appraisal = 143 Unlicensed = 732 Total = 3613
Disciplinary ProceedingsSection 455.225(1)(a) Florida Statutes The department shall cause to be investigated any complaint that is filed before it if the complaint is: • Written Complaint • Signed by the Complainant • Legally Sufficient
A complaint is legally sufficient if it contains ultimate facts that show that a violation of this chapter, of any of the practice acts relating to the professions regulated by the department, or of any rule adopted by the department or a regulatory board in the department has occurred. In order to determine legal sufficiency, the department may require supporting information or documentation.
Anonymous Complaints The department may investigate if: • Written Complaint • Legally Sufficient • Substantial • Reason to believe allegations are true
Investigation • Gather all pertinent facts • Research records • Interview involved parties • Audit bank accounts • Written report
Criminal Conviction • Failure to Self-Report • Advertising • Salesperson Operating as a Broker • Escrow
61J2-10.025 • Reasonable person would know they are dealing with a licensee • Must include the name of the brokerage firm • Must not be false, misleading or deceptive • If name used, must include at least the last name • Internet advertisement to include brokerage name adjacent to or immediately above or below contact information
Sales Associate • No funds in their own name • Turn over funds to their broker by close of next business day • Failure to identify escrow agent (name, address and telephone number)
Broker • Deposit within 3 days • Perform Escrow Verification • Reconcile Escrow Account • Shortages • Overages • Failure to properly reconcile escrow account
61J2-14.012(2) Once monthly, a broker shall cause to be made a written statement comparing the broker’s trust liability with the reconciled bank balances of all trust accounts.
Reconciliation Minimum Information • Date reconciliation undertaken • Date used for reconciliation • Name of bank • Name of account • Account number • Account balance • Deposits in transit • Outstanding checks by date and number • Itemized list of broker’s trust liability • Other items necessary to reconcile the account • Explanation for differences between trust liability and bank balance required • Corrective action • Broker’s certificate of review and signature
A $100 • B $100 • C $100 Net Balance = $300 Liability = $300
A $100 B -$100 C $100 Net Balance = $100 Liability = $200
What if violations are found? Notice of Non Compliance • Failure to sign reconciliation when account balances • Failure to indicate the name or address of the escrow agent • Failure to perform escrow verification responsibilities • Failure to stop interest from accruing
Citations • Failure to maintain office - $500 • Failure to maintain sign - $100 • Failure to immediately deposit trust funds (not more than 3 days late) - $200 • Advertisement issues - $500 • 2nd Offense failure to indicate escrow agent on contract - $200 • 2nd Offense failure to perform escrow verification - $200 • Failure to properly reconcile escrow account when account balances - $500
Shortages • Overages