[RPPTL Leasing Committee] Arbitration clause for Sec Dep Disputes

Tue Dec 8 07:12:34 PST 2020

Thanks Jorden,

You are correct. For some reason my brain blanked out on that.  On top of that, the caselaw shows how an arbitration clause in a residential lease could be a contract of adhesion since the cost involved is prohibitive to the tenant in many situations. 

The whole security deposit dispute bit really needs some sort of legislative fix in my opinion. Real time killers and absurd attorney fee results. 

Harry

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From: landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org <landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> On Behalf Of RPPTL Real Estate Leasing Committee
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2020 7:41 AM
To: landten at lists.flabarrpptl.org
Subject: Re: [RPPTL Leasing Committee] Arbitration clause for Sec Dep Disputes

I do not believe the issue can be decided by arbitration, and that if it was in the lease, the provision would be unenforceable. 

Section 83.47(1)(a) provides that a "provision in a rental agreement is void and unenforceable to the extent that it . . . [p]urports to waive or preclude the rights, remedies, or requirements set forth" in the Act. 

83.47(1)(b) renders a provision unenforceable if it “[p]urports to limit or preclude any liability of the landlord to the tenant or of the tenant to the landlord, arising under law.”

Section 83.54 states that "[a]ny right or duty declared" in the Act "is enforceable by civil action."

Best,

Jordan Marcus Brill, Esq.

Glachman & Brill, P.A. 

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From: landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org>  <landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> > On Behalf Of RPPTL Real Estate Leasing Committee
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 7:07 AM
To: landten at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten at lists.flabarrpptl.org> 
Subject: Re: [RPPTL Leasing Committee] Arbitration clause for Sec Dep Disputes

There’s no prohibition on the issue being decided by arbitration, but the prevailing party will probably not get their attorney’s fees in an arbitration proceeding. 83.49(3)(c) reads:

(c) If either party institutes an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to adjudicate the party’s right to the security deposit, the prevailing party is entitled to receive his or her court costs plus a reasonable fee for his or her attorney. The court shall advance the cause on the calendar.

Manuel Farach
Attorney at Law

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From: landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org>  <landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> > On Behalf Of RPPTL Real Estate Leasing Committee
Sent: Monday, December 07, 2020 9:56 PM
To: landten at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten at lists.flabarrpptl.org> 
Subject: Re: [RPPTL Leasing Committee] Arbitration clause for Sec Dep Disputes

I would argue that the statute states that either party may bring suit not that either party may arbitrate. 

Leonard P. Cabral, Esq.

From: landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org>  <landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten-bounces at lists.flabarrpptl.org> > On Behalf Of RPPTL Real Estate Leasing Committee
Sent: Monday, December 7, 2020 5:31 PM
To: 'RPPTL Landlord Tenant Committee' <landten at lists.flabarrpptl.org <mailto:landten at lists.flabarrpptl.org> >
Subject: [RPPTL Leasing Committee] Arbitration clause for Sec Dep Disputes

A property manager is asking me why an arbitration clause can’t be put in a residential lease for Security Deposit disputes and I basically don’t know the answer.

Is this because the law does not provide for it in 83.49?  I have never seen one. 

Anyone?

Harry

LAW OFFICES OF 
HEIST, WEISSE & WOLK P.A.
PH: 1 800 253 8428
FAX: 1 800 367 9038
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Email:  <mailto:harry at evict.com> harry at evict.com

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