It’s easy to complain about government. We all do it, and sometimes it’s deserved. Who doesn’t get frustrated-even mad-at the seemingly endless layers of bureaucracy and the chronic ineptness of a lot of government bureaucrats.
So let’s turn a different corner and talk about an effective part of our government, and the role we play as individuals to fill the gaps.
Today’s subject: unlicensed activity.
Maybe as a lay person just looking for a “good deal,” an unlicensed plumber, say, or an unlicensed person selling a house can seem just dandy. You are promised a lower cost, and so what if the government gets screwed out of some permit or regulatory dollars.
Ha. You and I know the truth, and we know that soon we’ll hear howls from people who’ve either been innocently victimized or who’ve tried to scam the system. Now they want someone to fix it. Often, that’s us or the very government agency they were trying to trick.
Unlicensed activity is a common complaint in the real estate and construction industries, not only from those of us who hold licenses but also the consumers who make the mistake of thinking a business license equates to an earned license.
In Florida, we’re fortunate that our state government continues to respond to this problem.
I’ve been impressed by the continued work of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. DPR keeps a steady drumbeat of information coming to the media. DPR staffers get out to the many state associations. Whenever they can get an audience with the general public, they spread the word.
Often, this type of criminal activity is very difficult for the average consumer to determine. The “handyman” says he can take care of that electrical connection. The “real estate agent” says sure, she can handle that paperwork. The man who knocks on your door says he’s licensed, just look at the number on the side of his truck to prove it.
We’ve heard all the stories...and maybe we’ve even been a victim.
Unlicensed activity seems to happen all of the time, and everywhere.
So, when you hear about someone being victimized by unlicensed activity, what do you think? Maybe DPR should be doing more?
Let me ask you this: when you’ve observed this kind of activity, what have you done? That’s the bigger question. The answer, of course, is we all need to take action ourselves. As good a job as it does, DPR is limited. It only has so many eyes and ears across Florida, and unfortunately, the unlicensed criminal activity exceeds the state’s ability to police it.
As citizens, we have an individual responsibility to hold these lawbreakers accountable. And, certainly as professionals in our industries who are impacted by this deceit, we have a far greater responsibility-and reason-to act.
We lose business when someone unlicensed sales or builds a house. Just as important, unlicensed activity robs us or our hard-earned reputation and credibility.
So, let’s protect ourselves by protecting the public, and in doing so, we can give DPR a helping hand. It’s in our interests to support them.
– Jim Bailey is president of Bailey Publishing & Communications and publisher of Realty/Builder Connection.