The latest recommendation from the White House means that pools at area clubhouses in HOA’s and country clubs will almost assuredly close. The new guideline, which call for no more than ten people in any place at any time, is already generating reaction from HOA leaders contacting BocaNewsNow.com. Read the article………………………..
Session Ends and Long Awaited ESA Bill Passes! (FL)
We will be addressing the major bills impacting our CALL members in a series of separate alerts since there is a lot to discuss on each bill. In the first of the series, we are delighted to announce that SB 1084, the bill which takes the first step to rein in emotional support animal abuse, […]
Forcing removal of security light comes down to waiver and selective enforcement
I had a security spotlight installed 20 years ago on my garage to light my driveway. It was installed for safety reasons. There is nothing in our documents disallowing it and several other homeowners have spotlights also. Can I now be forced to remove it after passing inspections for 20 years? Read the Q&A……………………………..
When are closed board meetings allowed? (FL)
Q: As president of my condominium association, I believe it is time to fire our in-house manager and hire a new one. I obviously need the approval of the board to fire the manager. At the upcoming board meeting can the board go into “executive session” to authorize firing the manager? Read the Q&A………………………………….
Office at 55 and over community in Pinellas Park ‘exposed’ to coronavirus (FL)
When the sign saying “Office exposed to coronavirus, enter at your own risk,” showed up on the Mainlands homeowners association office, some residents were scratching their heads. Maggie Herring was one of them. She believes residents should have been notified. “I don’t fault them for it. But that would cover them, you know and that […]
Does HOA board have to provide detailed financial records at monthly meeting? (FL)
Q: The board of directors in my homeowners association meets every month and provides a cursory financial report with little detail. We have requested the treasurer and board provide more information but the board responds that we can get the detail at the property management office. Does Florida law provide any redress? Read the […]
HOA Can Penalize Speeding (FL)
Q: Can a homeowners’ association set speed limits that are below county limits? If so, how can they enforce these regulations? Read the Q&A……………………………
Collier asks judge to dismiss suit brought by East Naples golf course owner (FL)
Collier County is asking a judge to toss a lawsuit brought against the county over the potential use of an East Naples golf course for more homes. The owners of the 94-acre Riviera Golf Course sued the county in December over the requirements that have to be met before a golf course can apply for […]
Is that Alligator an Emotional Support Animal? (FL)
Well, the reason why we asked you here today is because recently, HUD came out with some new guidelines for emotional support animals and service animals. And that is a very hot topic in not only condominium in HOAs, but also in multifamily and residential properties with landlords. And, it’s been, kind of like the […]
If membership disagrees with board business decisions, recall is the solution (FL)
I live in a 48-home HOA community. Our current HOA board is made up of five members. The current “president” of the board has become an issue resulting in the decay of our community. He is insisting that all decisions must be made by him or must go through him to the various vendors aiding […]
Legality of 50/50 raffles (FL)
Q: Our association frequently holds social events where there is a 50/50 raffle. The winner gets 50 percent of the money collected and the social committee retains the rest. Is this legal? Read the Q&A…………………………
HB 623 OMNIBUS BILL (FL)
We are now in the final weeks of the 2020 Legislative Session with the last day of Regular Session, March 13, quickly approaching. There will be a lot of activity in the closing weeks for many of the bills CALL has been tracking. Below is a summary of the major community association omnibus bill, filed […]
Laws differ under homeowners association and condominium statutes (FL)
Q: Our condominium recently painted our buildings and the cost was much more than the board anticipated. The owners voted to allow the board to use other reserves to fund the shortfall but the board is not adjusting the budget to catch these depleted reserve accounts up. Can the board underfund the reserves now indefinitely? […]
Are St. Pete’s permitting policies causing a spate of defective condos? (FL)
With another 40-something unit condo on the way in downtown St. Petersburg, there are storm clouds gathering for the industry in St Petersburg. According to informed sources, it was the cloud of an oncoming potential hurricane last summer that first tipped off the potential impact of the city’s system of permitting and inspecting these ever […]
Housing for older persons may allow residents below age 55 (FL)
Q: I live in a 55 and over community. I am told by the board president that people under 55 can be in residence because they inherited the condo. Is that true? I am concerned that, before long, our 55 and over community will no longer be 55 and over. Read the Q&A…………………………….
Windermere subdivision using goats to destroy invasive plants (FL)
People who live in a Windermere subdivision said invasive plants is destroying the neighborhood’s beautiful landscape, but they’ve got an interesting way of dealing with it. Channel 9?s Q McCray found out the problem is so bad, the neighborhood decided a run-of-the-mill landscaper wouldn’t do, so it hired goats to do the job instead. Read […]
Most associations should have 5 directors (FL)
We see a few Condominium or Homeowners’ Associations with only three directors serving a one year term and some larger Associations with seven or nine directors. There is a benefit to larger Master Homeowners’ Associations, with many neighborhoods and condominiums, to have many directors so that each of the various sub-communities have a representative on […]
Silver Woods HOA turns to goatscaping (FL)
The south entrance to the Silver Woods community was looking unkempt, with about eight different invasive species threatening to take over the area’s ground cover and the trees. The neighborhood is located west of Apopka-Vineland Road and near the chain of lakes, so the homeowners’ association was against spraying chemicals to kill the weeds. Bringing […]
Ask the attorney: Are proxy votes limited to only certain things? (FL)
Q: I live in a condominium building and our board of directors tells us that proxies can only be used to vote on certain things but they won’t tell me what those things are. Can you please educate me? Read the Q&A………………………….
Fort Myers man found guilty of felony grand theft; stole funds from homeowners group (FL)
A Fort Myers man has been found guilty of stealing money from a homeowners association. Jonathan Mariotti, 42, was found guilty of first degree felony grand theft, following a trial in Lee County. Evidence showed the defendant stole more than $185,000 while he was the treasurer of a homeowners association. The jury deliberated for less […]
Legal bulletin informs neighborhood residents of their rights after HOA tries to trespass homeowners from facilities (FL)
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office has now issued a legal bulletin to inform their deputies and people living in the Turnberry Reserve community in Kissimmee about their rights to access HOA common areas. It comes after HOA property management staff were caught on camera twice asking law enforcement to kick some residents out of the […]
Tenants Can Claim Support Animal Rights (FL)
Q: Our condominium documents do not permit renters to have pets. A new short-term renter in my building has a dog. When I asked the management company, I was shown a certificate for an “emotional support animal” that can be purchased online. It is my understanding that “emotional support animals” can only break a “no […]
Worker dies after fall from Destin condo (FL)
A man working on the roof of a sixteen story condominium in Destin died after falling off the top of the structure Saturday afternoon. The 38-year old victim was part of a roofing crew working on top of Silver Shells Condominiums at 15300 Emerald Coast Parkway. Read the article………………………
Landscaping purchase may be exempt from bidding (FL)
Q: Our board is purchasing landscaping materials each month and we feel the board could be getting a better deal elsewhere. When we ask for the bids, they ignore our question. Are they required to bid this and get the best deal? Read the Q&A……………………………
Condo or HOA board should approve settlement of lawsuit at open meeting (FL)
I am an LCAM (licensed community association manager), and one of my associations has a legal action that is coming to a conclusion. At last night’s regular meeting, the board indicated that, by the regular February board meeting, they would announce that this action has been settled amicably. Four of five board members and the […]
Gov. DeSantis signs bill that bans HOA restrictions on police vehicles (FL)
Law enforcement officers in Florida are now allowed to park their work vehicles in their driveways, despite what HOA has to say about it. On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed S.B. 476 — the law enforcement vehicles law — which protects law enforcement officers from being told by their HOA they can’t park their work […]
Sea wall collapses near Hallandale Beach condominium (FL)
A sea wall collapsed Thursday in Hallandale Beach and some vehicles were parked dangerously close to the edge. David Weeks told Local 10 News he was woken up after 11 p.m. Thursday and was told that his car was hanging over the edge of his condo’s sea wall that was washing away. Read the article………………………….
Home Heartbreak: Widow faces financial, emotional stress after fire at Sunny Isles Beach condo (FL)
An 89-year-old South Florida man says he is now facing extreme financial and emotional stress and blames it all on his condo association. For more than two years, he hasn’t lived in his condo and is losing hope he’ll ever move back. 7’s Kevin Ozebek has our special report: Home Heartbreak. Read the article……………………………
Condo column: Who’s responsible when neighbor’s tree falls in your yard? (FL)
Q: My neighbor’s tree fell on my yard during a bad storm. There was no damage to my home, but I want the tree off my yard. Who is responsible to remove the tree? Read the Q&A……………………………
Strong odor prompts evacuations at Clearwater condo complex (FL)
A suspicious smell prompted the evacuation of condo complex in Clearwater on Wednesday. The Clearwater Fire and Rescue was called to the On Top of the World condos in the 2300 block of Jamaican Street around 7 a.m. after residents complained of an odor. Officials said crews were working the roof of the building and […]
Association Attorney Doesn’t Represent Owners (FL)
Q: As a condominium unit owner, am I entitled to any representation from the condominium association’s hired lawyer? Read the Q&A…………………………
Didn’t that used to be a golf course? Pasco plan says you better keep it mowed (FL)
The birdies and eagles at a closed golf course in Hudson have given way to vermin, snakes, mosquitoes and coyotes. That is the unflattering picture John Cybart painted for Pasco County commissioners four months ago when he asked the county to help protect his neighborhood’s property values. Cybart, president of the homeowners association at the […]
HOA stopping speeders in the community by fining homeowners for their violations and their guests (FL)
A local community is combating speeders by impacting homeowner’s wallets. If a homeowner is caught speeding by one of the HOA community’s cameras, they’ll get fined. The Andros Isle Property Owner’s Association Board is discussing the new resolution at a meeting Tuesday night. Read the article………………………..
Complaint letters from neighbor to HOA board are inspectable records; ‘no pet’ rule in question (FL)
I have a neighbor who has been on a mission to harass my family and to make our lives miserable in our community, and we haven’t even moved in yet. She has been telling other neighbors how bad we are and spreading vicious rumors and lies… Read the Q&A………………………….
Watch out, homeowners. Your insurance rates are about to jump (FL)
Florida homeowners had better watch their wallets in 2020 — and ask their insurance agents to shop for cheaper deals. The torrent of insurance price hikes predicted after Hurricane Irma barreled up Florida’s gut in September 2017 is here. Read the article……………………….
Limit on charging transfer fees? (FL)
Q: My condominium association imposes strict limitations on the rental of units. The condominium documents include a requirement for the board to review and approve all proposed leases and tenants. The condominium documents also permit the association to charge a fee up to the highest amount the law allows to cover the cost of the […]
Plantation Pines HOA offers free acreage to Volusia County for fire station, residents oppose proposal (FL)
A vote on Feb. 24 will decide whether the HOA will donate 10 acres of its land to the county. Some residents worry this will change the rural nature of their community. Read the article……………………..
Elderly blind man says homeowner’s association fined him $2,000 for weeds in his yard (FL)
Jose Torres is 79 years old and legally blind. He faced $2,200 in homeowner association fines for weeds. “I don’t understand what they’re doing. I don’t understand,” Jose Torres said. Jose Torres relies on friends to read his mail. He found out last May that the Chickasaw Trails Homeowners Association fined him $184 because his […]
Volusia couple says retention pond is creeping closer to home (FL)
A Volusia County couple said the retention pond behind their home is creeping closer and closer, and they believe the clock is ticking before it damages their property. The view from Norman and Barbara Blodgett’s Florida room is picture-perfect, except the view is getting too close for comfort. Read the article……………………………
Condo living: How can we increase the number of our board of directors? (FL)
Q: All of the windows in our condominium were replaced about eight years ago and many units are experiencing water leaks around the windows.The contractor is telling us that the windows are covered under a warranty, but the manufacturer is telling us that the windows were installed incorrectly. How do we make sense of this […]
FHP terminates contract with embattled HOA after trooper asked to trespass homeowner (FL)
The Florida Highway Patrol has terminated a contract for off-duty patrols inside a Kissimmee community after a trooper was asked to enforce a fake trespass warning to a homeowner. Channel 9 investigative reporter Karla Ray has been following a back and forth legal battle between neighbors and the home owners association management company in the […]
Jupiter police warn of burglars posing as landscapers, HOA construction workers (FL)
The Jupiter Police Department wants residents to be aware of thieves posing as landscapers or HOA construction workers. Officer said the strangers, a man and woman, are knocking on people’s front doors and are carrying walkie-talkies. The thieves attempt to gain access to the homeowner’s backyards. Read the article……………………….
Noisy Air Conditioner Generates Complaints (FL)
Q: Two owners in my condominium building had their air conditioner units moved to the roof of the building. Is this allowed? The association has not had the units moved back. Don’t we need to vote to change our common elements? Read the Q&A………………………………
Condo and Homeowner Association Board Members VIP Meetings (FL)
Two years ago, Aventura Commissioner Dr. Linda Marks approached the Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce (AMC) about her idea for a new committee. With over 100 associations in Aventura, she noted, “there is a need to provide information on topics that are affecting all association Board Members while encouraging them to share their own expertise […]
HOA Board of Directors exercises corporate powers, not membership (FL)
Q: I have a townhome in an HOA community which is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation under Chapter 617. There are townhomes and individual lots where people have built their homes. There is a master association that was self-managed until about four years ago. Read the Q&A………………………….
Possibility exists that new board could reduce budget (FL)
Q: Our board spent a lot of time developing the 2020 budget. The budget went up to address actual expenses, and assessments also went up. With the election coming up, we are fearful that a newly elected board could re-open the budget and reduce assessments to the 2019 levels. Is this possible? Read the Q&A………………………………
Ask a real estate pro: Can we put a candidate sign in front of our home? (FL)
Q: We want to put a lawn sign out in front of our home for our favorite candidate. Our homeowners association is saying no way. What about my First Amendment rights? Can they restrict this? Read the article………………………….
Woman’s car booted after parking in her own driveway (FL)
Cristina Trabada said she and her family were on vacation when neighbors started bombarding them with calls and messages. “Sending us pictures that my car has been booted in the driveway,” Trabada said. Wait. What? Read the article…………………………
City of Marco Island reaches agreements with Madeira, contractors and realtor on probation (FL)
City of Marco Island reached an agreement with Madeira’s condominium association and a contractor following a beach code violation late last year. On Oct. 21, code compliance officer Andy Lindenmuth observed workers from Greenscapes of Southwest Florida trimming sea grapes on a dune area by 350 S. Collier Blvd. Read the article…………………………
Federal law protects satellite dishes, but not HAM radio antennas, in deed-restricted communities (FL)
Q: I live in an association in San Antonio. I am a licensed HAM radio operator. Our HOA management company keeps sending me notices and assessing fines for a temporary antenna that fits on a PVC mast. Our HOA rules do not specifically ban antennas, but they mention that dish receivers must be attached to […]