2016 Talking Points
Business Rent Tax
Cut the business rent sales tax
Vote YES for SB 116 by Sen. Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange) and HB 7099 by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach).
Florida is the only state in the country that charges a sales tax on business rent, creating a financial burden for any business that leases space — from the local pet shop and hair salon to the multinational chain store. In addition to the 6% tax charged by the state, municipalities and local governments may levy an additional 1.5%. So in some communities, businesses are paying a 7.5% sales tax on their business rent.
Two out of every three jobs in Florida are created by a small business. Lowering the business rent tax will provide capital to expand, hire more employees, improve benefits and raise salaries. An eventual full repeal of this tax has the potential to add 185,000 jobs and $21 billion back into the state’s economy.
If Florida lowers the business rent tax, small business owners, their employees and their families win. And when they win, Florida wins.
Click here to watch a short video.
Estoppel Certificate Fees
Cap the fees charged by community associations for estoppel certificates
VOTE YES for SB 722 by Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland) and HB 203 by Rep. John Wood (R-Winter Haven).
Sellers of properties governed by a condominium or homeowners’ association must provide buyers with a payoff letter. Is the seller current on his or her association dues? Are there any association liens against the property? This payoff letter is called an estoppel certificate.
Community associations are required to maintain this financial information — as an official record — for every homeowner. In a vast majority of cases, preparing an estoppel certificate amounts to nothing more than opening a computer file and printing the document.
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Florida law allows associations to charge a “reasonable” fee to prepare an estoppel certificate. Some associations, however, have turned this administrative task into a revenue stream, charging as much as $1,000 for this payoff letter.
Sellers often don’t learn about these charges until they receive the closing documents. They have no option but to pay the fee, no matter how high. That’s because their community association is the only source for the payoff information.
It’s time to restore fairness and predictability to real estate transactions by capping estoppel certificate fees.
VOTE YES for SB 722/HB 203 and restore fairness to the real estate transaction.
Affordable Housing
Increase funding of the Sadowski Affordable Housing Programs
When housing values go up, it’s a wonderful thing for our industry. But, many hard working, low-income families can be squeezed out of the market.
The Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Funds were created in the early 1990s to help in good times and bad. These funds help families achieve the dream of homeownership with downpayment assistance. They also provide housing rehabilitation and rental assistance to Florida’s homeless, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities.
Last year, the Legislature allocated $175 million toward the housing trust funds, the highest funding level in eight years. We applaud lawmakers for supporting housing programs. As the economy strengthens and market values increase, the need for housing assistance will increase, too.
In 2016, there will be more than $271 million available for affordable housing. The Florida Legislature has the opportunity to assist thousands of Floridians who have no place to call home. It’s time to use these trust funds for their intended purpose.
Statewide Water Policy
Restore Florida’s water resources while protecting property rights
Please support the efforts of Sen. Charlie Dean (R-Inverness) and Rep. Matt Caldwell (R-Lehigh Acres), sponsors of SB 552 and HB 7005, to enact a comprehensive statewide policy that addresses keys aspects of water management, water quality and water supply.
Realtors® are passionate about water issues. No matter where you live in Florida, there’s a body of water that is a vital part of your community. Water is, and should always be, Florida’s lifeblood.
SB 552/HB 7005 serves as a blueprint for avoiding a water crisis like the one California is experiencing, which would cripple our economy.
Update: Governor Rick Scott signed SB 552 into law on January 21, 2016. The bill is effective July 1, 2016.
Florida Realtors® supports several goals of this good legislation:
•Creation of the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act. We also applaud the Legislature’s objective to put programs in place that will protect and restore water flow and water quality in the aquifer. These programs will also improve conditions at “outstanding Florida Springs.”
•Florida Realtors® agrees that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in cooperation with water management districts and other regional water supply authorities, should operate by a set of statewide standards when it comes to collecting and analyzing water supplies and water quality. Operating by one set of standards will ensure reliable and valid data and testing results.
•Florida Realtors® supports establishing water flow levels for the state’s natural springs, and we concur that the DEP should oversee pollution control measures for Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee Estuary and the St. Lucie River and Estuary.
The need for clean and abundant water will only increase. Florida will need an additional 2 billion gallons of water per day to meet the needs of an ever-growing population, according to the DEP. VOTE YES on SB 552/HB 7005.