A Florida House panel on Tuesday unanimously signed off on a proposal that would make further changes to condominium safety laws requiring inspections of older buildings and adequate reserves for repairs. Rep. Vicki Lopez, a Miami Republican who has shepherded the House’s condominium safety efforts in recent years, said the measure “promotes integrity and long-term […]
Bal Harbour beach battle: Condo association suing Qatar-based company alleging ‘health, safety’ issues at St. Regis resort (FL)
Residents in Bal Harbour are suing the owners of their glitzy condo buildings — saying living conditions have turned dangerous. 7’s Heather Walker investigates. At first glance, the three towers that make up “the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort” appear lavish and luxurious. Steven Leoni/resident: “A little slice of paradise.” But a closer look reveals […]
Miami Rep. carves out Epic, Carillon from law favoring developers in condo-hotel disputes (FL)
A Miami lawmaker is proposing to carve out two hotel-condominiums in South Florida from a law that gives developers more control over the building, and the upper hand in lawsuits with associations that govern the residential portion of the property. Read the article…………………………….
Orange County leaders to revisit future of troubled condo complex (FL)
Orange County’s board of commissioners on Tuesday will again discuss the future of the Tymber Skan on the Lake. For more than two decades, area residents and have expressed concerns over crime and safety at the blighted condo complex off Texas Avenue. Read the article…………………………….
Prima Luce condo tower faces $36.9M foreclosure (FL)
The Prima Luce twin condo towers and Towles Garden workforce housing development face foreclosure in Fort Myers. Developer Bob MacFarlane, who had been spearheading both projects and had used the land at Towles Garden as collateral for Prima Luce, entered March 11 with less than 48 hours to secure $36.9 million in funding to avoid […]
Cuban woman erupts against the managers of her condominium in Hialeah over the property’s deterioration (FL)
Residents of the Coral Gate East condominium in Hialeah are experiencing distress after receiving notifications from Miami-Dade County declaring the buildings they inhabit as unsafe. The situation has raised concern and outrage among owners and tenants, who believe that the management of the complex has failed in maintaining the property and in managing its structural […]
Could change be coming to how HOAs operate in Florida?
WPTV is looking into what impact homeowners association fees have on people in Palm Beach County……WPTV did some digging and called the Sandalwood Lakes HOA President Gabriela Botofan, who said they’ve been trying to find ways to make living in the community more affordable. Read the article…………………………….
Litigation Threats by Unit Owner Unsettling (FL)
Q: How can condominium associations handle a unit owner who frequently threatens lawsuits against the association and its board members, especially when these actions seem frivolous and disrupt our ability to manage the community? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Crisis in paradise: Florida’s condo market faces unprecedented decline as property values sink in once-popular retirement hotspot
The Florida condo market is experiencing an unprecedented crisis as a result of costly mandatory repairs in aging buildings. Special assessments totaling six figures are forcing owners to sell, but buyers are hesitant. With mortgage restrictions tightening and uncertainty increasing, the once-affordable retirement destination is struggling to retain its appeal Read the article…………………………….
Can HOA make rules about where a dog can be walked in a neighborhood? Frustrated owner asks (FL)
Question: When my husband and I retired and moved into our condo several years ago, we noted that one of the rules stated that dogs must be walked away from the residences. Most of our townhouse-type units have front, back and/or side yards. In addition, the units in our very small community are arranged in […]
HOA Q&A: How do we determine which expenses are of all owners and which are of one condominium? (FL)
Q: Our condominium association operates 3 different condominiums. How do we determine which expenses are expenses of all owners and which expenses are expenses of only one condominium? Read the Q&A………………………………..
Florida Lawmaker seeks to bring more transparency and accountability to HOAs
A South Florida lawmaker is proposing a new plan to increase transparency and oversight for homeowners’ associations (HOAs), with the goal of enforcing new laws more effectively and reducing fraud. Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) is concerned that many HOAs have either failed to comply with recently passed rules or have been involved in fraud […]
Gov. DeSantis addresses condo law concerns (FL)
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he does not want to see residents forced out of their condominiums because of a Florida state law passed after the deadly 2021 Surfside condo collapse. The law requires structural integrity assessments, known as “milestone inspections,” for condominium or cooperative buildings that are 25 to 30 years old or older, […]
Two snakes pulled from second-floor condo in gated Naples community (FL)
Two snakes were discovered and removed from a second-story condo in North Naples Wednesday, according to animal trappers with Slethreptiles. The reptiles, black racer snakes, were hiding under an oven and in a kitchen cupboard in the Esplanade Golf and Country Club on Immokalee Road. Read the article…………………………….
Naples senior community tells condo owners ‘you are not welcome’ (FL)
Elderly residents living in the Villas at Aston Gardens have been cut off from meals in the dining room, lost transportation to doctors’ appointments and could see their utilities turned off next week. One elderly woman attending an exercise class at Aston Gardens at Pelican Marsh, a senior community in North Naples, was told she […]
Coconut Creek election marked by feud and defamation lawsuits (FL)
A vicious 19-month feud between condo neighbors that allegedly started over an outdoor barbecue has spilled into the courtroom and an upcoming election in a small Broward city. Residents of Coconut Creek — a city of about 58,000 people just west of Deerfield Beach — are set to vote for three commission seats on March […]
South Florida condo owners keep close eye on bills in new legislative session
House Bill 913 sponsored by Rep. Vicki Lopez seeks to protect condo owners and clarify association accountability. The bill would block Citizens Property Insurance from insuring condos if the association hasn’t complied with inspection requirements Read the article…………………………….
Clearwater condo for seniors going on seven weeks without working elevator (FL)
Deborah Hicks moved to On Top of the World Clearwater five years ago. “We didn’t want to do any more maintenance on our house,” Hicks said, explaining why she chose to relocate to the senior community. She loves her condo on the third floor of Building Nine. Except there’s been a big problem for the […]
Homeowner battle to block chopping down 7 palm trees (FL)
A homeowner says the developer installed a fence back in 1989. Now the association says it’s in the wrong place and has to be moved, meaning seven palm trees have to be cut down. Or do they? It’s why a call went out to Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser. One fence. Seven palm trees. […]
Plaintiff Alleges Negligence Against Condominium Association Over Unsafe Premises (FL)
Kathleen Bailey has taken legal action against a condominium association after suffering significant injuries due to an alleged unsafe condition on their property. The complaint was filed by Bailey in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on February 21, 2025, naming Vantage Point Condominium Owners’ Association, Inc. as the […]
Florida lawmakers say they have a plan to fix the ongoing condo crisis
Florida lawmakers are looking for ways to ease the financial burden many condo owners are facing after the legislative body passed laws requiring condo associations to make routine inspections and keep reserve funds for repairs. Read the article…………………………….
Hutchinson Island condo owners file lawsuits after evacuations (FL)
Condo owners on Hutchinson Island have filed 23 lawsuits after being forced to evacuate their homes last year due to structural integrity problems. The Villa Del Sol condos failed an inspection in August, leading authorities to declare the building unsafe. The inspection was mandated by a state law enacted after the 2021 Surfside condo collapse. […]
Florida lawmakers say they have a plan to fix the ongoing condo crisis
Florida lawmakers are looking for ways to ease the financial burden many condo owners are facing after the legislative body passed laws requiring condo associations to make routine inspections and keep reserve funds for repairs. The rules were a response to the 2021 Surfside condo collapse, that left 98 people dead. Read the article…………………………….
Rep. Porras Announces Filing of Bill Strengthening HOA Regulations (FL)
Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) announced the filing of HB 983, a legislation designed to reform Florida’s Homeowners Association (HOA) by enhancing enforcement, improving transparency, and empowering residents with stronger rights. “As Florida continues to grow, it is critical that our HOA system is fair, transparent, and accessible to all residents,” Porra said in a […]
Hutchinson Island condo owners file lawsuits after evacuations (FL)
Condo owners on Hutchinson Island have filed 23 lawsuits after being forced to evacuate their homes last year due to structural integrity problems. The Villa Del Sol condos failed an inspection in August, leading authorities to declare the building unsafe. The inspection was mandated by a state law enacted after the 2021 Surfside condo collapse. […]
‘Please listen to our pleas’: Senior heading to Tallahassee to voice concerns over condo fees (FL)
The rise in condo fees and assessments are putting many of you in a tight spot financially. Now all eyes or on state leaders as the legislative session is officially underway in Tallahassee. “There’s no time to waste, please listen to our pleas,” said Gloria Gracia. She’s a resident of the Lake Clarke Gardens. It’s […]
Florida’s Condo Crisis: Lawmakers to consider potential reforms during regular session
During his State of the State Address Tuesday at the start of the regular session in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he does not want to see anybody forced out of their condominium because of a state law. “I have every bit of confidence that the legislature is gonna fully address the needs of our […]
Real estate Q&A: Booting car traps second vehicle in garage. In an emergency, are HOA and towing company liable? (FL)
Q: Our homeowners association has decided to boot vehicles instead of having them towed for various violations. Our community has single car garages and a space in front of the garage for the second car. Could the association and tow company be at risk for a lawsuit if both cars are out of service in […]
Can Florida residents expect a break on property insurance, condo fees from Legislature?
FLORIDA TODAY’s John Torres discusses the 2025 legislative session with reporters James Call and John Kennedy in this excerpt fro the Florida Pulse. Video news report……………………..
Inside Florida’s brewing condo crisis as property values drop in once-coveted retirement haven
A slow-motion crisis is unfolding in Florida’s condo market, threatening to upend the state’s image as a haven for retirees and reasonably priced beach living. Owners of the state’s older condos are bracing for steep special assessments, while racing to sell their homes and receiving only tepid buyer response. Read the article…………………………….
Condominium ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution’ Explained (FL)
Q: What is “ADR?” Our condominium association is currently involved in a legal dispute and has been told we “have to go through ADR” before we can go to court.” Read the Q&A………………………………..
Condominium hurricane hardening pilot could become more accessible (FL)
Condominium associations would no longer need unanimous approval from unit owners to qualify for a pilot grant program intended to make the buildings more resistant against hurricanes under a bill from St. Augustine Republican Sen. Tom Leek. Read the article…………………………….
8 Florida condo bills aim to ease, relax burden of inspections. Here are the details
Across the state, Florida condo owners have been struggling with new special assessment fees and hiked up HOA dues. That’s largely because the state passed laws requiring inspections and mandating that condo associations must maintain reserve funds to cover maintenance, repair or replacement of any damaged or worn areas those inspections turn up. Many condo […]
Inside Florida’s brewing condo crisis as property values drop in once-coveted retirement haven
A slow-motion crisis is unfolding in Florida’s condo market, threatening to upend the state’s image as a haven for retirees and reasonably priced beach living. Owners of the state’s older condos are bracing for steep special assessments, while racing to sell their homes and receiving only tepid buyer response. Read the article…………………………….
Tales from the Florida condo crisis: Homeowners describe hardships after cost hikes
Many Florida condo owners are angry about cost increases they didn’t expect and how those increases are eroding their buying power. Many are frustrated by decisions of their management companies and governing boards, and want proof that their funds are being spent correctly. More than 75 condo unit owners conveyed two emotions — anger and […]
Can condo board scrap election results just because several residents didn’t sign ballot? (FL)
Question: Our recent election was stopped by the board and the association’s attorney because “too many election packages” were being rejected due to owners’ failure to sign the exterior of the outside envelope. We have 65 units; it was reported that we had 53 responses: 35 were OK and 18 had no owners’ signature. I […]
Florida’s Surfside law helps developers as condo owners face spiking fees and foreclosures
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…………………………….
Condo owners mount personal cameras pointed at community pool. Is that even legal? (FL)
Question: We are a small condominium with a camera at our pool. All owners used to have access to the pool camera through the association website. That camera broke, so they put in a new one — but only the board has access to it (which is fine with me). Now a resident has put […]
Is a Florida condo crisis brewing? Developers claim rising costs are necessary to prevent disaster
High-rise condominium owners along the sunny and serene Florida coastlines are facing a costly reality, but prominent developers in the state argue surges in HOA fees and maintenance reserves are necessary to prevent a future tragedy. Read the article…………………………….
Hurricane recovery delays frustrate Siesta Key condo owners (FL)
More than six months after three devastating hurricanes struck Siesta Key, many condominium owners—especially those in ground-floor units—are facing prolonged rebuilding delays, financial losses, and disruptions to their lives. Read the article…………………………….
Florida Legislature returns Tuesday
Florida lawmakers will return to the capitol on Tuesday for their annual legislative session, with plenty of issues on tap including immigration, property insurance, condominium reforms and crime. HB393 would create the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to help harden condominium buildings against storm damage and reduce insurance costs. HB675 would create a grant […]
HOA Q&A: What can we do about the high and increasing fees set by our association? (FL)
Q: There is concern for the high, and what we think is unreasonable, fees by our HOA. For example, the annual fees in 2023 that cover insurance and property care went from $ 2,750 to a $10,744 to cover 2024 and partial payment of 2025. It’s of big concern because most of us are seniors […]
‘A very big victory.’ Riviera Golf Estates homeowners win lawsuit to protect golf course (FL)
Neighbors are celebrating a victory in their battle to protect the Riviera Golf Course from development. A circuit court judge has ruled the property in East Naples must remain a golf course until 2030. While the effect of the ruling may only be to delay development, the neighbors will continue fighting it on other fronts, […]
Owners want property manager out of their communities after his arrest (FL)
Homeowners from several communities are wondering what’s next for them after their property manager was accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a homeowner’s association at another community where he worked. NBC6 was first to report on the arrest of Michael Curtis of BDM Property Management earlier this month. The news sent shockwaves […]
Less than half of vintage condo buildings in South Florida have turned in their required inspection
More than 12,000 condominium buildings in Florida are subject to new regulations put in place after the collapse of a Surfside building in 2021. They were supposed to be inspected by the end of last year for any structural problems. Fewer than 40% have disclosed the results of their inspections. Read the article…………………………….
Redfin Reports Florida Has More Homes for Sale Than Ever Before
Florida ended January with 172,209 homes for sale—the highest inventory of any month on record, according to a new report from Redfin (redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s up 22.7% from a year earlier. Inventory is a measure of the number of homes for sale on the last day of the month. Redfin’s records […]
Villa Del Sol condo owners face tough decision as future of 72 units uncertain (FL)
The owners of 72 units at Villa Del Sol, a condominium association in Jensen Beach, will have to decide whether to sell the property or repair three, structurally deficient condominium buildings. People haven’t been able to live in their beachside property for six months after a third party inspection found issues with the foundation at […]
Why it’s not enough for just the police to crack down on community association fraud (FL)
Changes to add teeth to Florida’s laws against fraud, theft and abuse in community associations were enacted in 2017 and last year in response to numerous cases that made headlines throughout the state. Prior to the 2017 legislative changes, such cases were not receiving the attention they deserved from law enforcement, which would often defer […]
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 […]
Florida bill seeks to deny Citizens coverage to noncompliant condos
A new legislative proposal in Florida aims to bar state-run insurer Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from covering condominium associations that fail to comply with recently enacted building safety requirements. The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Vicki Lopez (pictured above), is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen condominium regulations following the 2021 Surfside building collapse. […]