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Condo rental agency faces at least one lawsuit

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published March 23, 2005

INDIAN SHORES - Formal complaints are still coming in from condominium owners and tourists who lost money and reservations in the wake of the closing and pending bankruptcy of Gulf Front Retreats Vacation Rentals.

Deborah Berry, chief investigator for the Pinellas County Consumer Protection Agency, said Tuesday that her investigation could continue for a month as she follows up on complaints filed with her agency.

"The number of complaints is growing daily," said Berry, whose office has recorded at least 17 complaints to date.

The consumer agency also serves as the investigative arm for the state attorney's office when a consumer issue involves fraud or other potential criminal acts.

Meanwhile, an attorney for several dozen owners plans to file suit in circuit court this week to recover more than $100,000 in estimated lost rental income collected but never paid by the agency owner, Lorraine Blackwood.

"We are in the process of drafting a multiple-party complaint to circuit court," said Monique Parker, an attorney with Murray Silverstein's firm in St. Petersburg.

One of her clients owns three condo units that Blackwood managed. "He is owed $20,000 in back rent," says Parker, adding that some owners do not know how much they may have lost because Blackwood's company did not forward rental agreements or bookings to them.

"I have one owner who knows that his unit was rented for 30 days in January and February because he talked to the renter, but he has yet to receive any notice or compensation," Parker said.

Even though many owners were not paid for their units, Parker said they are "stepping up" and honoring tourist reservations.

But some tourists are still arriving to find that their paid-for lodgings are not available.

On Saturday, at least 15 families arrived at the rental agency to find that it was closed.

They were greeted by representatives of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Tourist Bureau and local Realtors and rental agents who organized to help the tourists find alternative accommodations. All were placed.

"We want to make sure that people who haven't heard about the problem can find a place to stay," says Paul Raulerson, a publicist for the tourist bureau.

"We're trying to soften the blow. It's really wonderful how the whole tourism industry has come together on this. We've even had condo owners call us to let us know their units are available."

Part of the problem is that no one knows when or how many out-of-state tourists will arrive expecting to pick up condo keys.

When Gulf Front Retreats closed on March 12, its database of bookings was not turned over to another agency.

Both before and after the closing, many confused, worried and even angry renters and owners repeatedly posted messages on the agency's Web site.

That bulletin board has been removed from the site.

Raulerson says the bureau will have people stationed outside the rental agency on Saturdays for at least the next two weeks to redirect arriving tourists to available accommodations.

Tourists who rented condo units from Gulf Front Retreats who have not made other arrangements should call the bureau at 464-7210 for up-to-date information on available lodging, Raulerson said.

[Last modified March 23, 2005, 00:55:18]