Recently, Florida Land Title Association sent out an update concerning emergency roof repairs after Hurricane Irma, and we feel it's imperative to share it with you.
"As real estate transactions are being impacted and/or delayed by Hurricane Irma's damages, it's important for us to share the latest Emergency Order from, Jonathan Zachem, Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in response to Governor Scott's Executive Order.
Roofing contractors will be spread thin over the next several months and this will assist in accelerating the recovery and real estate closing process.
Zachem has ordered the following for counties identified in the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration DR-4337 as it relates to roof repair:
- The provisions of section 489.113(3), Florida Statutes, are suspended to the following extent: A certified or registered, general, building, or residential contractor is not required to subcontract roofing work for repair and installation of any flat roofs and roofs made of wood shakes, asphalt or fiberglass shingles, tiles, and metal.
- The provisions of section 489.117, Florida Statutes, are suspended to the extent that local jurisdictions are authorized to issue local specialty licenses, without additional local ordinances, for the repair and installation of flat roofs and roofs made of wood shakes, asphalt or fiberglass shingles, tiles, and metal, conditioned upon the requirement that all applicants for the specialty roofing licenses shall provide an affidavit of competency from their original jurisdiction, within Florida, proof of compliance with applicable workers' compensation as required by Chapter 440, Florida Statutes, and public liability and property damage insurance as required by section 489.115(5)(a), Florida Statutes.
- Departmental fees associated with relocating or reopening businesses regulated under Chapter 455, Florida Statutes, that were closed from damage caused by Hurricane Irma and its effects are hereby waived. Only fees assessed by the department, or by a board within the department, are waived.
The effective date of this Order shall correspond with the effective date of Executive Order No. 17-235, and any amendments, provided however that all jobs issued permits during this period shall be allowed to be completed."
Please make sure to pass this along to any buyers, sellers, REALTORS, and industry partners you think could use this information. To view the complete Order, click HERE.
Zone VP, Aaron Davis on Fox News Tampa Bay
Today, Aaron Davis, FLTA's Zone 4 Vice President was featured on Fox News Tampa Bay discussing the May 31 expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program and FLTA and ALTA's efforts to have the program extended.
As some of you are aware, both FLTA and ALTA have been monitoring this issue closely. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has lapsed eleven times since Sept. 30, 2008. (12 counting this week) Each lapse has delayed thousands of closings and caused considerable uncertainty for buyers, sellers and lenders. These disruptions cost title and escrow businesses’, lenders’, and consumers’ time, money and unnecessary worry.
What is less widely known, is that earlier this month, FLTA sent a delegation of 10 of our members to Washington DC to join the ALTA team in visiting legislators to express our concern that the NFIP might lapse again.
We expect another short-term extension of the program. Months ago, the House of Representatives passed a five year extension of the NFIP by a bi-partisan majority; the Senate declined to vote on the long term extension. Two weeks ago, seeing no action on the Senate side and knowing the deadline was fast approaching, the House approved a 30 day extension of the program. Last week, the Senate approved a 60 day extension.
We are in a position where the bills from both sides must be reconciled, voted on and sent to the President for signature. We are cautiously optimistic that this will be completed before May 31 so that there is not another lapse in the program.
Our thanks to Aaron for carrying this important message (albeit in a highly edited form) to the public.
