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This week Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill into law that provides significant property tax relief to Home Owners in Florida. 

There are a few important things to note about the law:

1. The County Property Appraiser must determine that the home needs remediation to bring the property to current building standards. (In most counties, the home owner must apply with proof (typically an inspection report) that the home does contain defective drywall.
2. If the building cannot be used for its intended purpose without remediation or repair, the value of such building (not the land) shall be assessed at the nominal just value of $0.
3. The defective drywall must have a significant negative impact on the just value of the property.
4. The purchaser must have been unaware that the defective drywall existed at the time of purchase.
5. Upon completion of remediation and repairs, the property shall be assessed as if the defective drywall never existed.

Comments from Kross Inspectors:

Being the first Inspection Company to offer Chinese Drywall Inspections, we have been requested by property owners all over the state to assist in proving that their property contains defective drywall.  Many of these homeowners did use our reports to successfully reduce the tax assessed value of their property.  We should caution consumers to make sure they work with Home Inspectors that are reputable and have significant experience in completing Chinese Drywall Inspections.  We have seen many cases where Property Appraisers denied the owner's claim due to insufficient documentation to back up their claim. 

Furthermore, please use caution when contracting with a remediation company.  The way this law may be read is that no matter what level (including shortcuts) of remediation or repair occurs to the property, the property is then assessed as if it NEVER had defective drywall.  This could hurt many consumers if they contract with a remediation company that takes shortcuts!

For more information or a free consultation from one of our Chinese Drywall experts, call our Chinese Drywall Hotline at 1-877-496-4662 or email Info@krossinspectors.com.  As always, monitor www.krossinspectors.com/chinesedrywall to keep up to date on the latest information.