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Buildings with Defective Drywall Can Now Be Assessed At Zero Dollars

The Florida Legislature has passed a law, House Bill 965 allowing County Property Appraisers to assess buildings with defective imported drywall at zero dollars. This means the owners of these homes will pay no taxes on the buildings, while they are being repaired. They will, however, be responsible for paying the taxes on the land and on any extra features such as pools and patios.

Although aspects of House Bill 965 are still being clarified by the Florida Department of Revenue, the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s Office is implementing this ‘zero assessment policy’ for the 2010 tax roll.

Homeowners with defective drywall must visit the Office of the Property Appraiser and present documented evidence of these conditions. Such documentation could include a report by a professional engineer, building inspector or environmental scientist. Insurance claims can also be used to substantiate your case.

To learn about the signs of defective drywall, about the investigations into the problem and to sign up for e-mail updates, homeowners are encouraged to visit the US Consumer Product Safety Commission website or contact the agency by telephone at 800.638.2772.

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