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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I have a situation where a contractor took more than 10% deposit and did not apply for permits for 5 months. Judge ruled in my client's favor on Breach of contract count, but would not apply 489.126 because the statute has the word <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>and</span> ( meaning Court taking plain meaning held part (b) also had to be satisfied " Start work within 90 days). ( I am trying to get a the Court to find theft under part (4)…</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of theft and shall be prosecuted and punished under s. <u><span style='color:blue'>812.014</span></u>.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I belive Statute should say <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>and/or</span> .. In the scenario a contractor can take the deposit , never apply for permits and be scott free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I have not found any case law on this and have been unable toresearch legislative history to get intent as too cost prohibitive for my client.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I argued to the Judge the legislative intent was to protect public ect.. Judge did not bite. Any advise or input . I believe clearly, this needs to be changed in the Statute.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>489.126 Moneys received by contractors.—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>(1) For purposes of this section, the term “contractor” includes all definitions as set forth in s. <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.105.html">489.105</a>(3), and any person performing or contracting or promising to perform work described therein, without regard to the licensure of the person.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>(2) A contractor who receives, as initial payment, money totaling more than 10 percent of the contract price for repair, restoration, improvement, or construction to residential real property must:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>(a) Apply for permits necessary to do work within 30 days after the date payment is made, except where the work does not require a permit under the applicable codes and ordinances, <span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>and</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'>(b) Start the work within 90 days after the date all necessary permits for work, if any, are issued,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:#1F497D'>Stephen B. Gebeloff, Esq.</span></b><span style='font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:navy'> </span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>Stephen B. Gebeloff, P.A.</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>5255 North Federal Highway</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>Third Floor</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>Boca Raton, Florida 33487</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>(561)953-4600</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'>Fax (561)953-4610<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:navy'><a href="mailto:steve@gebelofflaw.com">steve@gebelofflaw.com</a></span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:navy'><a href="http://www.flcollectionattorney.com/">www.flcollectionattorney.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:navy'><a href="http://www.floridacollectionattorney.net">www.floridacollectionattorney.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>