A developer who has a firm based in Florida has been sued by the owner of a string of apartment complexes in another state. The developer was reportedly hired by the plaintiff as a property manager. The real estate lawsuit that was filed in a circuit court seeks $2 million in damages for alleged mismanagement of the properties.
Included in the legal claim are allegations stating that the property manager failed in his duties. The plaintiff alleges that, upon a thorough audit of financial records and other documents that are relevant to the management of his properties, he discovered that the property manager failed to increase rent to market value for new tenants. Additional allegations claim that questionable increases in utility expenses were not investigated nor were required security deposits retained. The plaintiff also claims that the defendant fraudulently induced the plaintiff into signing an early termination agreement, which, the defendant claimed, required the plaintiff to pay tens of thousands of dollars to cover severance pay for employees who would be losing their jobs.
The defendant has denied all allegations
Before entering the development side of real estate, the defendant had been managing and investing in properties for approximately 15 years. He has flatly denied all allegations and has asked the court to rule in his favor. In cases like this, the terms of a contract are typically a central focus of proceedings.
When a real estate lawsuit is filed in a Florida court, the judge overseeing the case will determine whether there has been a breach of agreement on either side and whether a particular defendant is liable for damages that occurred because of that breach. Such cases are often complex, which is why it is best to consult with an experienced attorney before heading to court. An attorney can review the details of a case and determine the best strategy for protecting a client’s interests.
