Over the course of just a mile and a half, the Del Prado corridor by the Yellow Fever Creek Preserve is getting some major updates and add-ons. A new park, a new stoplight, and a proposed new water system are all possible off this stretch, and some of the people who live near it told […]
Director Compensation Questioned (FL)
Q: Can directors of a homeowners’ association get paid for their services? As a board member, I do all the administrative tasks for free and think I should be paid for it. Read the Q&A………………………………..
ICE Agents Knocking on Your Community Association Door? Here Are What Questions to Ask (FL)
. . . CAI’s guidance, which was developed based on consultations with highly qualified professionals, is designed to help associations navigate their interactions with ICE agents and avoid infringing on the rights of residents, employees, and association leadership. The organization notes that requests from ICE involve legal rights, privacy obligations, and the role of associations […]
Judge sides with EmeraldBay in condo vs condo dispute as leadership at Key Colony changes (FL)
A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge wiped out more than three decades of financial precedent at the Key Colony condominium this week, siding with EmeraldBay in a dispute over maintenance fees at the island’s largest condo complex. The ruling comes the same week an owner election led to the ouster of Key Colony President David McDanal, […]
Abandoned Lake Worth House Becomes Snake Paradise; Neighbors Seek Help (FL)
That’s what happened after residents in a Lake Worth neighborhood contacted the newsroom about a case of blight on their street – a broken-down house that had been slowly decaying before their eyes for more than a decade. Ground zero for a snake invasion. Despite constant complaints to the HOA, management, and county officials, nothing […]
Miami Insurance Broker Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Condo Premium Finance Scheme
A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced a Miami insurance broker to 41 months in prison and more than $5 million in restitution for defrauding a Georgia credit union by obtaining loans for condominium associations’ premium financing, then using the loans for personal gain. Read the article…………………………….
Judge rules in favor of Riverstone condos and the county (FL)
After two years of litigation, Nassau County Judge Marianne Aho has granted summary judgment in favor of Riverstone Properties and Nassau County, against the Sanctuary Property Owners’ Association and Amelia Tree Conservancy. Read the article…………………………….
Blame law, not lawyer for protections that keep HOA from banning ‘thin blue line’ flag (FL)
Question: I am a Board Member of an HOA community. That was very poor advice that you gave to the retired police officer. If you had done your due diligence, when it comes to the “thin blue line” flag, there is much controversy regarding it. Many, including myself, see this flag as a “us” vs. […]
HOA Q&A: Is it a ‘meeting’ if 3 of 7 Board members discuss ideas for the membership? (FL)
Q: If an HOA has a seven-member Board of Directors, for which four members equals a quorum, does the thought of “three Board Members talking makes a meeting” still apply? In a situation of three Board members simply batting around ideas to present to the membership – there is no quorum and no decisions are […]
Florida lawmakers move to weaken condo owner protections | Opinion
Florida condo owners face renewed challenges with a proposed bill in the Florida Legislature threatening to roll back recent protections, as a back-and-forth battle between the developers’ lobby, condo associations and owners appears to be helping builders gain ground. Read the article…………………………….
A condo bill in the Senate seeks to provide more financial flexibility, safety (FL)
A key Senate committee on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure that would build on laws requiring safety inspections of older condominium buildings and adequate financial reserves for repairs. The bill (SB 1742) is aimed at “providing condo owners a smoother, more flexible financial path forward without compromising safety,” Senate Regulated Industries Chairwoman Jennifer […]
Check your insurance coverage (FL)
After a story on an $8k special assessment from an HOA, Steve On Your Side urges you to check your insurance policy. Video news report……………………..
Condo owners facing insurance hikes that are not your fault (FL)
A homicide at a condo complex. A slip and fall at another one. Do the owners who had nothing to do with those incidents have to pay? One South Florida man turned to Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser to find out. In the condo world, Bonaire at Woodmont is a nice place. Quiet, not […]
Florida lawmakers should make condo laws less repressive, not more | Opinion
I want to publicly thank state Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, and her aide, Evelyn Duplecy, for being so responsive to my concerns as a Boca Raton condominium owner. And that of my neighbors who have called and written about our desire to lift some of the burdens of the 2022 “Condo Law,” which requires […]
The Top Complaints Florida Homeowners Have with Their HOA’s
While the intention of HOAs is designed to maintain property values and ensure well-managed communities for the benefit of their residents, they can also become expensive and cause frustration. Recent data suggests that 70% of homeowners say if they were to buy a new home in the future, they would prefer a community without an […]
State Senator Files Bill to Allow Condo Boards to Invest Reserve Funds (FL)
Legislation aimed at helping condo boards manage large amounts of reserve cash is moving forward in Tallahassee. State Senator Jennifer Bradley is sponsoring the bill that allows boards to invest the mandatory reserve money needed for repairs to prevent another Surfside collapse……SB 1742 would set parameters on hiring an investment firm and for making “prudent” […]
Tallahassee apartment owner pays city $100K for late utilities after city threatens to cut off water (FL)
WCTV obtained water bills from Whispering Pines residents, showing they pay a Jacksonville-based company called Oates Energy, Inc. Staci Inez spoke with a representative from the company, and they emailed a statement about their services. Oates Energy wrote, “Our function is to allocate utility bills among residents, collect individual payments from those residents, and then […]
Controversial proposal to withhold Citizens insurance is part of condo bill impasse (FL)
Florida lawmakers pushing for adjustments to condo safety laws have hit an early impasse over two proposals: one that would allow condo associations to invest funds that have been saved for future building repairs, and another barring associations that shirk the law from getting insurance under the state-run Citizens program. Read the article…………………………….
Florida condo bill seeks financial flexibility, safety
A key Senate committee on Tuesday gave initial approval to a measure that would build on laws requiring safety inspections of older condominium buildings and adequate financial reserves for repairs. The bill is aimed at “providing condo owners a smoother, more flexible financial path forward without compromising safety,” Senate Regulated Industries Chairwoman Jennifer Bradley said […]
‘It’s sad’: Florida’s condo fee crisis could trigger the ‘next wave of homeless people’ in the state, says one representative — with seniors on fixed incomes at highest risk
A new building safety law that was passed in the wake of the Surfside tragedy in Florida has resulted in a tremendous amount of financial pressure on condo owners. Now, one state lawmaker warns it could prompt the “next wave of homeless people,” with elderly residents living on fixed incomes at the forefront. Read the […]
HOA Board Education Requirements Questioned (FL)
Q: Can you provide an overview of the new law on education requirements for board members of a homeowners’ association? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Condo Con on the Coast shares valuable resources (FL)
This isn’t your typical convention, Condo Con on the Coast is a must-attend event for anyone looking to break into the condo market. The event is this Friday, March 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fort Walton Beach and is free for those who want to attend. Video news report……………………..
Florida’s Surfside law helps developers as condo owners face large maintenance fees
An influential group of real estate attorneys that advised Florida lawmakers after a residential tower partially collapsed in Surfside saw an opportunity to rein in condo associations, while realizing their advice would lead distressed unit owners in older buildings to sell to developers. Read the article…………………………….
HOA, Polk County mother at odds over safety concerns at school bus stop (FL)
A judge has temporarily blocked a Polk County mother from parking her car at the entrance of her subdivision while dropping off and picking up her children from the school bus. This follows a lawsuit filed against the woman, Joy Hitchcock, by her homeowners’ association, Morgan Creek Preserve Residents Association, which alleges the action violates […]
Residents at Miami condo protest upcoming assessment (FL)
A group of residents at a Miami condo took to the streets in protest after they found out they were being asked to pay hundreds more a month for a special assessment. Consumer investigator Sasha Jones is digging into why the condo board says the assessment is needed. There were honks of support for protesters […]
Florida’s condo market is in turmoil. What’s next for owners?
Time is up for condo owners across Florida to meet safety guidelines passed in the wake of 2021’s deadly Champlain Towers collapse. Condo associations had until Dec. 31 to inspect aging buildings and come up with a plan to save for routine maintenance. The market took a nosedive in the lead up to that deadline […]
Can condo lock owners out of the pool area at night, ban food and drink nearby? (FL)
Question: Our condominium complex has a few rules regarding the pool area that are more restrictive than Florida statutes and the Department of Health rules regarding food and beverages at the pool area. The health department rule is that only commercially bottled water is allowed in the wet deck area (4’ around the perimeter of […]
Residents at Miami condo protest upcoming assessment (FL)
A group of residents at a Miami condo took to the streets in protest after they found out they were being asked to pay hundreds more a month for a special assessment. Consumer investigator Sasha Jones is digging into why the condo board says the assessment is needed. There were honks of support for protesters […]
Mandatory Condo Rules In Effect, Palm Beach County Launches New Website (FL)
New mandatory rules in place for condominium building inspections following the Champlain Towers disaster are causing confusion for some condo owners, associations, and building management firms in Palm Beach County. To help explain what is required, Palm Beach County just launched a website with vital information. Read the article……………………………. Palm Beach County web page…………..
HOA Q&A: Are minutes required at a workshop attended by the Board of Directors? (FL)
Q: We recently had a workshop that was attended by a quorum of the Board of Directors, and over 50% of the membership. This was a two-hour discussion about updating our covenants. If this is not an official board meeting, are minutes still required? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Q&A: Can HOA Require a Fence and New Plants? (FL)
Question: My fiancé lives on the main road in a community of single-family homes. He received a violation letter from the association saying he needs to put up a fence, remove the current bushes and plant different ones. The section of the bylaw they sent over discusses maintenance of existing fences, docks, etc., but does […]
Miami-Dade launches platform to report fraudulent activities in condominium associations (FL)
A new resource has emerged for South Florida residents to combat fraud. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has launched an online platform to facilitate reporting fraudulent incidents involving homeowners’ associations and condominiums in the county. This program is a response to growing concerns from community members who have reported financial misconduct and corruption within their associations’ […]
Lawmakers looking for ways to cut down costs to condo owners (FL)
State lawmakers are looking at a number of bills aimed at providing relief for condo owners and associations across the state. It would most notably ease a mandate for reserve funds that caused many to raise fees to make up the cash. Condo owners the past two years say they are shocked by the fees […]
South Florida’s Soaring Condo Costs Are Pricing Out Retirees on Fixed Incomes
South Florida, long a beacon for retirees chasing sun-soaked golden years, is turning into a financial nightmare for those on fixed incomes. Skyrocketing home prices, ballooning condo fees and a barrage of new regulations are squeezing retirees out of their dream homes, sending grave implications through the retirement housing market. Read the article…………………………….
State Protection for Condos May Be Costly (FL)
Champlain Towers South Condominium collapsed in 2021, killing 98 people. It did not take Florida’s legislature long to enact broad statutory requirements for structural inspections and funding reserve accounts for Florida condominiums. Read the article…………………………….
The End of the South Florida Dream
The Lake Clarke Gardens condominiums in Lake Worth, Florida, are among many places across the Sunshine State selling Americans the much-coveted dream of retiring in a place in the sun. With 855 units in 24 separate residential buildings only a few miles from the ocean and featuring a clubhouse, swimming pools and many more amenities […]
Owners at Coconut Grove landmark Mutiny condo are split on buyout, redevelopment (FL)
Unit owners at Mutiny on the Bay – a Coconut Grove landmark with a rich history as a party hotspot during Miami’s cocaine boom – are mulling over a second buyout offer from competing developers who aim to raze the building and redevelop the site. West Palm Beach developer Steven Figari and Slate Property Group […]
Could change be coming to how HOAs operate in Florida?
WFLX is looking into what impact homeowners association fees have on people in Palm Beach County. On Friday, we visited the Sandalwood Lakes neighborhoods, where we met Sharon Siebert. “My mom bought this house in the ’80s, so first owners,” said Siebert. “I live here with my sister so there’s only been three of us […]
Florida’s condo market is in turmoil. What’s next for owners?
Time is up for condo owners across Florida to meet safety guidelines passed in the wake of 2021’s deadly Champlain Towers collapse. Condo associations had until Dec. 31 to inspect aging buildings and come up with a plan to save for routine maintenance. Read the article…………………………….
Florida Court Rejects Insurer’s Bid For Coverage In $8.5M Condo Defect Case
A federal judge in Florida’s Middle District ruled Monday that Amerisure Insurance Company, the insurer for contractor The Auchter Co., can’t tap third-party insurers to offset an $8.5 million judgment tied to shoddy workmanship on a 2005 Jacksonville condo project. U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway held that a prior settlement freed those insurers from […]
Collier commissioners agree not to alter golf conversion rules (FL)
Collier commissioners opted not to amend controversial rules that allowed developers to convert golf course properties into residential. Commissioners voted unanimously March 11 to let the 2017 rules stand. “I don’t even know why we’re here,” said Vice Chair Dan Kowal, whose district had two conversions that prompted Bert Harris claim lawsuits. “It’s already Bert […]
Can homeowners association stop former NYPD officer from flying ‘thin blue line’ flag? (FL)
Question: I am having a problem with my HOA about the 3 feet by 5 feet thin blue stripe American flag that flies over my garage. I am a retired NYPD officer, and the blue stripe represents the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. I have been flying that flag for […]
HOA Q&A: Can we let the neighborhood know who’s not paying their assessments? (FL)
Q: We have a number of owners in our community who are repeatedly delinquent paying their assessments. Can we send out a list of these owners so everyone is aware who is not carrying their share of paying the bills on time? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Florida has the wrong bogeyman for our condo crisis. It’s not climate change. | Opinion
I have been a condominium owner in Jupiter for five years. Over that period our condo’s property insurance has doubled, as well as our reserve contributions. Fortunately, we have not had any assessments, and our condo has completed its Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) requirement. Read the article…………………………….
Estimated $40K in palm trees removed without authorization from Ponce Inlet condo complex (FL)
What we know: Nine palm trees were cut down without authorization last month on the fourth hole of the Harbour Village Golf & Yacht Club in Ponce Inlet. The trees were removed by the property owner, and residents, including Charles Burge, are upset about the environmental damage. Burge estimates the value of the trees at […]
Condo owners frustrated as Florida House advances condo bill that allows boards to borrow money without consent
A new condo safety bill looks to shore up safety, but it comes at a cost. A Florida House panel has advanced legislation that allows condo boards to borrow money without member consent. CBS News Miami reviewed the bill and spoke to condo owners dealing with the fallout from state reforms since the Surfside collapse. […]
Sunrise condo residents elect new HOA board after insurance issues (FL)
Residents at Grenadier Lakes at Welleby said their costs doubled after the previous HOA board resigned. Video news report……………………..
Bill expanding flood risk disclosure requirements to renters coasts through first Senate stop (FL)
The Florida Association of Realtors backed the bill too and was among three groups, including the Community Associations Institute and Audubon Florida, to signal support for SB 948 Wednesday. Read the article…………………………….
Lopez’s bill to block Citizens Insurance for noncompliant condos clears Committee in 13 minutes (FL)
This legislative session’s much-awaited House condo bill passed its first committee unanimously in 13 minutes on Tuesday, but one of the differences between the House and Senate proposals appears to be taking center stage. Read the article…………………………….