La Casa HOA President Tim Davis said some residents rode Ian out, sheltering in a park activity center of block concrete. The park’s nearly 300 acres, like its neighbors and some places in the region, were a mess. Read the article………………………..
Holley By the Sea backyard chicken owners fear HOA may ban their feathery friends (FL)
Residents of the sprawling Holley By The Sea subdivision are crying “fowl” over recent steps by their homeowners association to limit, and some think eliminate, the keeping of chickens. Read the article………………………..
HOA has no obligation to mail informational notices (FL)
Q: My HOA mails out all regulatory notices (monthly board of directors meetings; annual financials; yearly elections; etc.) A bulletin board is also used in conjunction with these important notices. However, there are many other notices that are neither sent out to everyone’s attention nor followed up by posting on the community bulletin board. Read the […]
Association Voting in the Electronic Age
Q: I serve on the Board of a very large condominium association. Getting unit owners to return proxies and ballots is difficult (to say the least), making it almost impossible to get voting items to pass. Oftentimes, we have a hard time even getting a quorum. With so many people being accustomed to “Zoom” meetings, […]
Emergency powers for community associations (FL)
Two and half weeks ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida. Hurricane Ian was practically a worst-case scenario for our area and has impacted essentially every person and community. The recovery for many of our communities will take years and the process is only beginning. Read the article………………………..
Hurricane Ian HOA and Condo Community Debris Cleanup Guidance
CAI is monitoring recovery efforts in Florida following Hurricane Ian. The Florida Legislative Alliance wishes to make members aware of the following rules and programs regarding debris removal for homeowners associations and condominium communities in the following affected counties: Read the article………………………..
Boca condo board loses bid to withhold financial records from ‘troublemakers’ (FL)
Condominium owners don’t have to tell governing boards why they want to examine their associations’ financial records. And owners, not boards, are allowed to decide whether the examinations can be conducted by themselves or their authorized representatives. Read the article………………………..
In the wake of Kings Point tornado damage, HOA attorney urges Floridians to have a disaster plan (FL)
As the residents of Kings Point continue to pick up the pieces, a local HOA lawyer explained why this is the time for all Florida residents to dot their I’s and cross their T’s when it comes to their plan in case a natural disaster strikes again. Read the article………………………..
Jewish family receives legal notice from condo association to remove sukkah (FL)
A South Florida Jewish family says they received a threatening letter from their condominium association as they mark a traditional holiday. The association says they can’t celebrate outside. Read the article………………………..
Fees for checks may be legal, but difficult to collect (FL)
Q: In order to minimize the administrative and accounting costs and headaches of collecting HOA fees, our community is contemplating charging each homeowner who is not set up for autopay (e-check or credit card) an extra $5-$10 per month. The HOA covenants and bylaws are silent regarding whether the HOA can do this. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Recovery from Hurricane Ian (FL)
Unfortunately, Hurricane Ian was a historic storm and has left a wide and substantial swath of damage across Southwest Florida. As we all work to recover from the ongoing effects of Hurricane Ian, I would like to share a few pointers we have learned from past storms and some things we are experiencing with Ian: […]
That Boca condo board that won a $395,554 judgment against a single mom now faces a skeptical judge (FL)
Is it OK for members of a condominium board to interpret record access laws as it wishes if it decides that unit owners making the requests are working against it? Read the article………………………..
Condo Q & A (FL)
Q: Our association needs advice about emergency powers after the hurricane. Could you please share what we all should know at this time after Hurricane Ian? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Volunteers drawn to East Naples retiree mobile home park to rebuild after widespread damage (FL)
There are 152 manufactured or mobile homes in the mostly retiree community on Bayshore Drive; roughly 140 were severely damaged and need flooring replaced as soon as possible for safety reasons, according to Mike Patch, with the homeowner’s association. Read the article………………………..
One Florida community built to weather hurricanes endured Ian with barely a scratch (FL)
In 2018, Wilkerson became one of the first 100 residents of Babcock Ranch — an innovative community north of Fort Myers where homes are built to withstand the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them without being flooded out or losing electricity, water or the internet. Read the article………………………..
Orlando residents sift damage left behind by Hurricane Ian at flood-ravaged condo complex (FL)
Residents are sifting through damage at an Orlando condo complex that saw dozens of rescues after Hurricane Ian. A week after the storm hit, floodwater receded from Dockside at Ventura, but waterlogged belongings remain. Read the article………………………..
Broward condo residents say management company leaves bills unpaid and problems unsolved (FL)
A company was hired to help run a Broward County condo community, but a group of unhappy owners says there is no help to be found. 7’s Kevin Ozebek investigates. Welcome to Windmill Lakes in Pembroke Pines. From a distance, it looks like a beautiful community, but residents say, look closer. Read the article………………………..
Volunteers rally to aid storm-stranded residents of Holly Hill’s Marina Grande condos (FL)
When Ian swept through Volusia County on Wednesday and Thursday, it knocked out water and elevator service at the Marina Grande on the Halifax luxury condominiums in Holly Hill. Water service and all but one of the six elevators in the twin-tower riverfront complex remained out-of-order two days later. Read the article………………………..
Condominium responsible to conduct repairs in a reasonable manner (FL)
Q: Last month a huge tree fell on our one-story condo building. My condo sustained damage and there is a leak going into the attic section of my condo. The association has placed a tarp on the roof, but it repeatedly becomes undone. Read the Q&A……………………………….
Hurricane Ian slams Boca Grande, playground for presidents and celebrities, but landmarks survive (FL)
…..“This is going to be a massive undertaking when it comes to how do we repair all of this?” Ken Burnette said. As condo association president, he is preparing to take the lead on a long rebuilding process that starts with having an engineer evaluate the buildings to see “are they livable? What will it […]
Property insurance costs skyrocketing in Florida as Hurricane Ian wreaks havoc
Hurricane Ian is expected to undermine the already precarious market for property insurance in Florida, supercharging premiums and exposing gaps in coverage. Why it matters: Ian’s trail of wreckage will inevitably trigger a host of insurance claims by homeowners, saddle those without flood coverage with devastating losses and bludgeon the strained finances of the state’s […]
Federal team investigating Surfside building collapse completes site testing (FL)
The federal team investigating the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside announced Thursday that they have completed testing at the site and collected data to evaluate the potential causes. The National Construction Safety Team also has data provided by civil litigants after a Miami-Dade judge ordered the turnover of materials and samples to the National […]
Do you need to have a “physical place” for your association meetings? (FL)
During the early Covid times many Associations moved their board and members meetings to Zoom or to Telephone Conference under emergency powers granted by the Governor and the Legislature to Condominium and Homeowners Associations. Read the article………………………..
Special assessment due dates not set by statute (FL)
Q: I understand that the board of directors of my condominium association has the authority to levy special assessments. However, is there any requirement on when special assessments must be due? Does the association have to allow at least 30 days or more before the special assessment can be due? Read the Q&A……………………………….
11-year-old Hurricane Ian evacuee falls to death from Panama City Beach condo (FL)
An 11-year-old Hurricane Ian evacuee is dead after falling from a balcony of a condo on Panama City Beach. Read the article………………………..
As Hurricane Ian Approaches, Miami Firms Help Condos Fortify Buildings to Comply With New Law (FL)
A new Florida law that tightens the rules around condo inspections is spawning a new cottage industry in the Miami area, as real-estate firms compete to offer services to enable thousands of residential buildings in Florida to comply. Read the article………………………..
Delray Beach condo damaged by possible tornado (FL)
Dozens of people were evacuated and two others were taken to a hospital Tuesday evening after a possible tornado caused by Hurricane Ian damaged an apartment complex in Delray Beach. Read the article………………………..
‘Honesty is extremely paramount’: Delray Beach weighs in on perjury case that led to man’s arrest (FL)
Just days after a man was arrested on a felony perjury charge for allegedly lying about being an HOA president, Delray Beach’s city manager addressed the odd situation, saying they were left with little choice but to press charges. Read the article………………………..
Fines just one of several enforcement tools available to associations (FL)
Q: You recently discussed condominium fines. So do I have this correct? In a condominium the fine maximum is $100 per violation, $1000 maximum for a continuing violation, and no liens are allowed on the property. So basically the violation, fines and consequently the rules of a condominium are unenforceable and mean nothing if someone wants […]
While potential hurricane looms, some areas already dealing with flooding problems (FL)
While Central Florida braces for a potential hurricane to make landfall next week, some areas are already dealing with flooding problems. Over the past year, the edge of Clearwater Lake in Apopka has continued to creep higher into people’s backyards. For the past five years, residents say flooding has made a playground and gazebo inaccessible. […]
Condo Q & A (FL)
Q: We have a homeowner in my homeowners’ association (HOA) who does not like to follow the rules. Recently, he painted his house a color that is not within the HOA approved color palette. What are the HOA’s options in getting him to comply? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Florida homeowner without insurance while trying to close previous mold claim
Palm Harbor homeowner whose insurance went into receivership this year is waiting for her homeowner’s association to help with mold claim Read the article………………………..
Florida HOA president arrested again, facing more charges over alleged hidden camera inside condo
A Florida man and HOA president already facing charges for allegedly keeping a hidden camera inside the master bedroom of a Palm Coast condo he was caring for, faces additional charges after a third victim was recorded on camera. Read the article………………………..
A Delray Beach man lied about being an HOA president during a city meeting, police say. He’s now been arrested.
Aman says he’s an HOA president at a public meeting, talks about everyone being “in favor” of a controversial plan for an apartment building — then winds up in jail because police say he wasn’t who he claimed to be. Read the article………………………..
It is legal for owner to police condo association rules, but not necessarily recommended (FL)
Q: I live in a community governed by an HOA, and our board has appointed a resident volunteer to make rounds taking pictures and reporting potential violations to management, who then decides whether to issue citations and fines. This individual uses a private unmarked car and as a result is not liked by fellow residents. Read the […]
Board Workshops Covered by Sunshine Law (FL)
Q: I understand that if the board of directors posts notice for a meeting, and a majority of board members are there, that is a board meeting. However, what if a board just holds a workshop to discuss certain items and to get input, but no vote is taken. What is that, and is that […]
Pinellas County neighborhood dealing with dangerous hole in road (FL)
Residents who use Estancia Boulevard to get to their homes are fed up with a hole in the road that they say has been getting bigger for years. “No one will take responsibility,” said Kevin Connolly, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years. “It’s dangerous and it needs to be fixed.” […]
Community Association Q & A (FL)
Q: Can a husband and wife both serve on the same condominium board of directors? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Increase in the Fees Charged for Estoppel Certificates (FL)
In accordance with Florida Statutes 718.116, 719.108 and 720.30851, fees for estoppel certificates shall be adjusted every five (5) years in an amount equal to the total of the annual increases for that 5-year period in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, US City Average, All Items. The Department of Business and Professional […]
Real estate Q&A: Can the board hire an iguana removal company without residents’ input? (FL)
Q: Recently, our condominium’s board announced that our maintenance dues would go up next year. A week later, we received a newsletter stating that our community had hired a company to remove iguanas from the common areas. There was no mention of this cost, and we feel it’s an issue that should’ve been discussed and […]
Unit owner can use right of first refusal to acquire entire building (FL)
Q: I own a condo in a building with 12 units. We have one owner who has deep pockets and is buying every condo that comes up for sale. In effect, he is turning our condo into an apartment building. At this point, he owns 4, and he has 4 votes. His 33% of ownership […]
“Estoppel” Fee Explained (FL)
Q: I recently contacted my condominium association to get an account status for refinancing my mortgage. I was charged $299.00, which seems like a lot. Is this a valid charge? Read the Q&A……………………………….
Condo Q & A (FL)
Q: My homeowner’s association just had a board member resign, in writing, effective immediately. The annual meeting for the association is not until March 2023. To further complicate matters, this board member had a two-year term so his term would not be up until March 2024. Is the board allowed to appoint a replacement? Read the […]
A Tampa Bay retirement community’s unwelcome guest: wild, destructive hogs (FL)
While hogs can be a nuisance year round, Pullen and his neighbors have been dealing with a surge of the unwelcome visitors for weeks. They blame new housing developments in the surrounding area for pushing the pigs out of their natural habitats and into their backyards. Read the article………………………..
Ellenton neighborhood continues cleanup from last month’s storm (FL)
In late August, a thunderstorm and possible microburst severely damaged 44 homes in the 55+ community. Residents who were unaffected and able, ran to assist others by adding plywood patches and tarps to their roofs until they can find a permanent fix. Read the article………………………..
Person killed when flame ignites oxygen, causes explosion at Bradenton condo (FL)
A person was killed after a flame ignited oxygen that was being administered, which caused an explosion, according to police. Read the article………………………..
Ask a real estate pro: What’s the best plan to pay off $10,000 special assessment?
Q: Our community is levying a significant special assessment of $10,000 to be paid over 10 years. They tell us that the outstanding balance must be paid whenever a home is sold. The community has given us the choice of paying off the whole assessment in one payment, saving $4,300.00. What is your recommendation? Read […]
Florida HOA president hid camera in woman’s bedroom, deputies say
A Florida HOA president turned himself in after authorities said he installed a hidden camera inside a woman’s bedroom while she was out of the state. Read the article………………………..
RE Q&A: Should I Sue for My Condo Flood Damage?
Question: The apartment above ours had a flood caused by a faulty valve that damaged my apartment. I have a homeowner’s insurance policy, but my neighbor is uninsured. The condo says it has no responsibility. Should I sue my neighbor for damage to my apartment not covered by insurance? – Read the Q&A……………………………….
‘It’s an eyesore:’ Condemnation notice given for Daytona Beach condo site (FL)
An unfinished condominium tower foundation near Oakridge Boulevard is decaying, and neighbors are calling it a major eyesore. Daytona Beach city leaders also called it dangerous. The city condemned it last week, but now, Daytona Beach officials are working with the owners on a plan to get construction back up and running. Read the article………………………..