CLEARWATER — A Seminole businesswoman in a lawsuit filed March 27 alleges two companies ignored her repeated complaints regarding a leaky roof and mold infestation in her rental home following damage incurred during Hurricane Irma.
Kathy Cregan filed the complaint in the 6th Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County against HP Florida I, LLC, d/b/a Home Partners of America and OPVHHJV, LLC, d/b/a Pathlight Property Management alleging that the defendants breached her lease agreement by violating her right to quiet use and enjoyment of the property.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that from Sept. 10 through December 2017, she repeatedly notified the defendants in writing and by telephone of the damage the property reportedly sustained after Hurricane Irma. The mold infestation rendered the $3,150-per-month rental uninhabitable, she claimed.
The defendants allegedly took no action to cure or mitigate the mold or repair other major damage to the property and refused to reimburse her for expenses incurred after she vacated the property. The defendants agreed to let Cregan out of her lease obligation.
The plaintiff holds Home Partners of America and Pathlight Property Management responsible because they allegedly breached the lease agreement by failing to maintain the premises in a reasonably habitable condition.
Cregan claims both her business and her health suffered due to the defendants' alleged negligence. She also claims she was harassed after they denied the return of her more-than-$6,000 deposit. The lawsuit cites as causes of action breach of contract, unjust enrichment, negligence and retaliation.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks at least $15,000 in damages. Attorney Jamie Moore MaIcario
of the Thrive Law firm represents Cregan.
6th Judicial Circuit of Florida - Pinellas County Case number 18CA001864