(1) Any person who willfully and intentionally violates any provision of s. 520.995 or engages in the business of a home improvement finance seller or a sales finance company without obtaining a license as required by this act is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) In the case of a willful violation of this act with respect to any home improvement sale or contract, the owner may recover from the person committing such violation, or may set off or counterclaim in any action against the owner by such person, an amount equal to any finance charge and any fees charged to the owner by reason of delinquency, plus attorney’s fees and costs incurred by the owner to assert rights under this part.
History.—s. 1, ch. 69-44; s. 495, ch. 71-136; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 21, ch. 80-256; s. 2, ch. 81-318; s. 30, ch. 87-91; ss. 33, 35, 36, ch. 90-103; s. 4, ch. 91-429.
Structure Florida Statutes
Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations
Chapter 520 - Retail Installment Sales
Part V - Home Improvement Sales and Finance (Ss. 520.60-520.98)
520.68 - Persons not required to be licensed.
520.69 - Scope of license authority; scope of provisions.
520.70 - Employee of the seller.
520.71 - Contract copy to owner.
520.72 - Cancellation of contract.
520.73 - Home improvement contract; form and content; separate disclosures.
520.74 - Provisions expressly prohibited.
520.75 - Buyer’s waiver of statutory protection.
520.76 - Insurance provisions, procurement, rates.
520.78 - Finance charge limitation.
520.785 - Simple-interest contracts.
520.79 - Unauthorized charges.
520.80 - Mortgages, promissory notes.
520.81 - Completion certificate.
520.82 - Statement of account.
520.83 - Cancellation of contract on payment in full.
520.84 - Credit to owner on prepayment.
520.85 - Delinquency and collection charges; court costs and attorney’s fees.
520.86 - Extension or deferment.
520.87 - Receipt for cash payment; payment to assignor.
520.88 - Assignments of contracts or notes.
520.91 - Uttering a false completion certificate.