Florida Realtor License Defense

Are you a realtor facing possible license suspension or revocation in Florida? If so, then we understand how concerned you must be right now. Chances are, you're feeling completely overwhelmed, drained, and concerned about what the future may hold. But whatever the complaints are against you, it's your right to tell yourside of the story. So, if your realtor license is in jeopardy, you must act quickly and effectively to defend it. Do everything you can to protect your right to pursue your career. Contact the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm online or by phone at 888.535.3686 to retain our services.

The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)

The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for licensing real estate professionals in the state. The DBPR handles complaints against realtors, investigates alleged breaches of applicable rules and conduct codes, and oversees disciplinary action for misconduct. The department also has the authority to suspend, limit, or even revoke your real estate license.

Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)

The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is part of the DBPR and plays a key role in enforcing real estate laws and upholding conduct codes. Should you be investigated by the DBPR, and if your realtor license is under threat, you will be in communication with the FREC.

The rules and processes for investigating complaints against realtors and for undertaking disciplinary action are complex. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can explain how the rules apply to you once you retain our services.

When the DBPR Can Investigate Realtors in Florida

Neither the DBPR nor the FREC can discipline a realtor for any possible transgression. For example, they typically won't investigate an alleged violation of a contractual term unless fraud or misrepresentation is involved. Florida law allows the authorities to discipline realtors for specific rule violations, including:

  • Working without a license or attempting to work with a suspended or revoked license
  • Committing fraudulent activities or helping another realtor commit fraud
  • Failing to comply with continuing education requirements
  • Accepting bribes or unduly influencing someone for the purpose of financial gain
  • Delegating responsibilities to a junior broker without sufficient experience to complete the tasks
  • Undertaking work for which the realtor does not have sufficient experience

You could also face disciplinary action as a licensed professional for failing to report a criminal conviction, even if it's a fairly low-level conviction, e.g., a misdemeanor.

DBPR Investigations

No two investigations are the same, but there is a clear procedure for officials to follow.

When the board receives a written complaint about a realtor, they'll determine if there's enough evidence to proceed with an investigation. This means that the complainant must present sufficient facts, supported by evidence, to compel the board to act.

If the board decides to investigate you, then you'll receive notice of the complaint in writing, and you have 20 days to submit a written response. It may be possible to resolve matters very informally at this stage, e.g., the board has the option to issue a notice of noncompliance for minor violations of realtor laws.

Should the investigation proceed further, then you can either admit to the alleged violations or dispute the allegations and take the matter to a formal hearing. Board officials will decide what sanctions are appropriate if the hearing officer determines that the complaint is valid.

Your Lento Law Firm attorney can explain how the process works in more detail as it relates to your case.

Administrative Hearings

The hearing is your opportunity to present your defense. This is your chance to explain why the allegations should be dismissed or to demonstrate why the penalty should be mitigated.

At the hearing, the officer considers the evidence presented by both sides and determines whether to uphold the allegations or dismiss the case. Should you face disciplinary sanctions, you deserve to know the reasons behind the officer's decision. Your attorney will ensure you understand what the decision means and your options for moving forward.

The Outcome of Disciplinary Action

There are two possible outcomes of disciplinary action against realtors. The accusations may be dismissed by the board, or alternatively, the board will determine that the complaint should be upheld. The possible disciplinary consequences include:

  • Formal reprimand
  • Probation
  • Compulsory education courses
  • Compulsory treatment or counseling
  • Restriction of practice
  • Administrative fines of up to $5,000 per offense
  • License suspension
  • License revocation

Clearly, the board has a significant number of disciplinary options at its disposal. When you retain the Lento Law Firm, our attorneys will endeavor to ensure that any disciplinary action is proportionate and not unfairly or unduly restrictive. It's our goal to resolve matters as informally and quickly as possible so you can return to the career you've worked so hard to build with minimal fuss.

The Steep Consequences of Professional Licensure Investigations

It's simply impossible to overstate the possible consequences of a professional license investigation against a Florida realtor. The outcome of the investigation can affect every aspect of your life –– professionally and personally.

  • Should your realtor license be suspended or revoked, you can't practice real estate anywhere in FL. Your livelihood is at risk if you are unable to find suitable alternative employment.
  • Depending on the nature of the accusations, you may doubt your own ability to practice real estate. You may question if you have the skills required to progress in your career. Such doubts can lead to depression, anxiety, and self-doubt, but they could also actually cause you to underperform, which ironically makes further complaints against you more likely.
  • You may have financial difficulties if you are unable to pay your bills after losing your realtor license, even temporarily. This can cause significant distress and impact upon your family life.
  • Even if you retain your license, and even if the allegations are dismissed, there may be a stigma attached to your name following the investigations. You may feel that colleagues alienate you or even that family and friends treat you differently.

Given how serious the possible short and long-term consequences can be, you should do everything possible to protect your license from the moment you become aware of allegations against you.

How to Appeal a Realtor License Suspension or Revocation in Florida

It's usually possible to seek a review or to appeal the DBPR's decision to suspend or revoke your realtor license.

Florida law gives you 30 days from the decision date to appeal the DBPR ruling. However, this is not merely an opportunity to revisit the facts of your case. Under the same laws, you must have legal grounds for seeking an appeal. For example, you must show that the agency erred in giving insufficient weight to material facts or that they failed to apply the law correctly.

A court will either affirm the agency's decision and remit the case back to them for further action, or they will set aside the agency's decision – in which case, your appeal is successful. Your attorney will explain how the appeal process works in more detail as it relates to your case.

Realtor License Reinstatement

Typically, you can seek license reinstatement once your suspension period is over. Your license will not automatically be reinstated. You are required to seek reinstatement by filing the relevant paperwork with the DBPR and demonstrating that any deficiencies that led to the suspension have been remedied, e.g., you have completed further qualifications, attended counseling, or undertaken any mandatory training required by the DBPR. And in most cases, you can't seek reinstatement until at least five yearspass.

Even if your license is revoked, it maybe possible to reinstate it in the future. However, this is far from guaranteed. After all, license revocation is intended to be a permanent outcome. Our Professional License Defense Team can advise you on how you might proceed should you be considering license reinstatement.

Why You Need a Professional License Defense Attorney

When you're dealing with the stress of realtor license investigations, it's tempting to try to handle matters alone. You might hope that the problem simply goes away or that the DBPR will be entirely reasonable and happy to help you resolve this issue with minimal fuss. Unfortunately, however, this is not the case—the DBPR takes its responsibilities seriously and will not hesitate to suspend or revoke your realtor license. Specifically, though, here's why you should strongly consider hiring a professional license defense attorney when you're facing DBPR investigations in Florida.

  • The DBPR has its own legal counsel on its side. These attorneys understand the nuances of the legal procedures involved, and there's always the risk these nuances could be used against you unless you have your own attorney protecting your interests.
  • Every aspect of the disciplinary process is potentially stressful and difficult to navigate alone. You deserve to have an attorney on your side to help you manage the uncertainty and challenges you may face at this time.
  • It's sometimes possible to resolve realtor license issues without the need for many formalities. Having an attorney representing your best interests gives you the strongest opportunity to avoid the most formal legal procedures.
  • There's no doubt that administrative laws regarding realtor disciplinary action can be complex. A lawyer with experience handling such matters will ensure you fully explore every option you have for moving forward, and they'll seize every opportunity to mitigate the consequences of any disciplinary action you may face.

Although you are, of course, within your rights to represent yourself before the DBPR, you may wish to consider hiring a lawyer to support you.

Why the Lento Law Firm Can Help You Protect Your License

Although the process of hiring an attorney can seem overwhelming, now that you've found the Lento Law Firm, there's no need to look any further. Trusted by the numerous professionals we've helped with license retention, the Lento Law Firm can assist you in the following ways.

  • From the moment you retain us, we're committed to fighting for you. We will fiercely protect your legal rights and ensure you receive the fair treatment you deserve.
  • We will use our knowledge of licensing board procedures and our experience of negotiating with board officials to resolve the matter as efficiently as possible.
  • You can rely on our Professional License Defense Team to listen to your side of the story. We will build the most compelling possible defense strategy based on what happened so you can approach the investigation with confidence.
  • It's our privilege to help realtor professionals in Florida retain their licenses. We will manage the complex legal matters on your behalf so you can focus your energy on moving forward as far as possible.

Be sure that you're doing everything you can to prevent license suspension or revocation. Hire the Lento Law Firm Team today.

Experienced Attorneys Defending Realtor Licenses Across Florida

At the Lento Law Firm, our lawyers work across Florida to defend real estate brokers facing DBPR investigations that could end their careers. No matter where you work in FL, we are waiting and ready to stand with you. Whether you're a new realtor with your whole career ahead of you or you have years of experience behind you, we're ready to help you protect your license. We serve realtors across the state, including:

  • Hialeah
  • Jacksonville
  • Miami
  • Orlando
  • Port St. Lucie
  • St. Petersburg
  • Tallahassee

Don't hesitate to call or email us to discuss representation if the DBPR investigates you. You deserve effective and dedicated legal assistance, which is what you will receive from our passionate and knowledgeable team.

Retain the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team

As a realtor in FL, your professional license is priceless. And you deserve every opportunity to defend your career and the reputation you've worked so hard to build. So, whether you're facing license suspension, revocation, or probation, the Lento Law Firm wants to help. Our Professional License Defense Team has the experience, commitment, and drive to help you through this challenging time. We'll protect your legal rights, explain your options for defending the allegations, and help you achieve the most favorable possible outcome.

You shouldn't feel obliged to handle disciplinary action alone. There's simply too much at stake for you––professionally and personally––to leave anything to chance. Contact the Lento Law Firm now at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to retain our experienced attorneys today.

CONTACT US TODAY

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm are committed to answering your questions about Physician License Defense, Nursing License Defense, Pharmacist License Defense, Psychologist and Psychiatrist License Defense, Dental License Defense, Chiropractic License Defense, Real Estate License Defense, Professional Counseling License Defense, and Other Professional Licenses law issues nationwide.
The Lento Law Firm will gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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