Condo owners at the Villas Of Carillon in Feather Sound received a temporary victory just days after they were shocked by a $60,000 special assessment their condo board wanted them to pay. Thursday night, at a special meeting, the owners packed the room and got their wish to hold off on any decisions about the […]
New Florida law prohibiting HOAs from passing parking restrictions could affect millions
According to the non-profit Foundation for Community Association Research, more than nine million people—about 44 percent of Floridians—live in communities governed by homeowner’s associations, which can regulate what kinds of vehicles can park in their communities and where. A new state law going into effect July 1 says an HOA can no longer pass regulations […]
Citizens Property Insurance backs proposed 14% rate hike for 2025 (FL)
Citizens Property Insurance Corp’s board of governors unanimously backed a proposal during Wednesday’s meeting that could result in double-digit rate hikes for policyholders. Many Florida Homeowners will see higher property insurance rates next year. The new rates would amount to an average 13.5% increase for homeowners covered by a “multi-peril” policy, which Citizens says is […]
‘This is crazy’: Local woman says HOA continues to charge a late fee for 20-cent mistake (FL)
In January, Carolyn’s husband reminded her to pay a yearly homeowner’s association fee. “I went right over to the office…I thought maybe they’d take my check,” Babcock recalled. Babcock says she was told they didn’t take cash and she’d have to either go online or write a check. Read the article…………………………….
Ask a real estate pro: Can HOA change rules about paint color for our house? (FL)
Q: Two years ago, we filled out the appropriate form with paint samples for the house, trim, and a new roof and submitted it to our community association, which the board approved. Recently, the new board president sent us a letter telling us that although we were approved in April 2022, it was incorrect, and […]
Landmark Florida Court Ruling Shakes Up Condo Termination Landscape
In a significant decision with far-reaching implications, the Florida Third District Court of Appeal in May ruled in favor of condo owners, challenging the long-standing practice of developer-led condo terminations. The ruling, stemming from a case involving Biscayne 21 Condominium in Miami, has sent ripples through the real estate industry and raised questions about the […]
Placida condo complex undergoing hurricane repairs (FL)
Repairs are underway at Boca Vista Harbor’s five condominium buildings in Placida damaged by Hurricane Ian about 20 months ago. The five-story complex built in 2005 was ravaged by the storm’s high winds that damaged the buildings’ stucco, soffit, fascia, gutters, standing seam roof, deco shutters, vents, paint and caulking. Read the article…………………………….
Homeowners in this Pinellas County HOA shocked by $60K special assessment request (FL)
A letter in the mail brought some sticker shock for homeowners in a Pinellas County HOA, saying they’d have to choose how to a handle special assessment that could cost them upward of $60,000 by October. “I was in shock, I immediately started texting other neighbors,” said Tammy Rodeffer, a homeowner in The Villas of […]
New bill could pose problems for East County homeowners associations
Michael Miller worries that the passage of House Bill 1203 could have “unintended consequences” in his Country Club neighborhood and the East County community as a whole. The bulk of the 44-page bill, signed into law on May 31 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, pertains to the administration of homeowners associations — education requirements for directors […]
Is condo living becoming a thing of the past? Insurance costs, HOA fees taking a toll (FL)
Condo living has been a popular lifestyle in Florida for decades, but with rising insurance costs and HOA fees could this lifestyle be coming to an end? In the nearly two years since Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction through southwest Florida, Fox 4 has documented recovery efforts and battles with insurance providers. Read […]
New bill could pose problems for East County homeowners associations (FL)
Michael Miller worries that the passage of House Bill 1203 could have “unintended consequences” in his Country Club neighborhood and the East County community as a whole. The bulk of the 44-page bill, signed into law on May 31 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, pertains to the administration of homeowners associations — education requirements for directors […]
Is condo living becoming a thing of the past? Insurance costs, HOA fees taking a toll (FL)
Condo living has been a popular lifestyle in Florida for decades, but with rising insurance costs and HOA fees could this lifestyle be coming to an end? In the nearly two years since Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction through southwest Florida, Fox 4 has documented recovery efforts and battles with insurance providers. […]
New law means fewer restrictions for people in HOA communities (FL)
A new law takes effect less than a month from now that will impact people who live in communities in Florida governed by homeowners’ associations. The new law will mean significant changes for HOA residents. People who live in HOA communities typically have a strict list of dos and don’ts. Read the article…………………………….
When condo board moves to ditch tiled balconies in favor of concrete, do owners get vote? (FL)
Question: I live in a 65-unit condominium which is currently undergoing a seven-figure concrete restoration that will take more than a year to complete. The board has decided to eliminate the tile covering on our balconies and replace it with concrete and change the color from beige to gray. Read the article…………………………….
Longwood residents forced to use sandbags due to storm water backup problems (FL)
A neighborhood in Longwood is dealing with water drainage issues so bad that the county has had to come in and drop off sandbags so residents have the means to protect their homes from damage. Sally Spires, who has lived in the community since 2008 says it is a recent issue. She said, “The only […]
HOA Q&A: Must a property management firm rep be at all HOA meetings? (FL)
Q: While attending a HOA board meeting, several of the owners at large wanted to discuss with the board of directors issues concerning failures of the current Professional Property Management firm, but were uneasy bringing the topic up, as the representative of the firm always attends. During the course of the meeting, one owner asked […]
DeSantis quietly signs controversial condo bill. Owners are already threatening to sue (FL)
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday quietly signed a controversial condominium bill into law that unit owners are already threatening to sue over if lawmakers don’t fix certain provisions next legislative session. Read the article…………………………….
Governor signs “Condo 3.0” into law, cracks down on wayward boards (FL)
A measure that provides new criminal penalties for misbehaving condominium boards is now law, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed H.B. 2021 on Friday afternoon. The legislation was spearheaded by State Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, who held multiple meetings with condo owners who complained that associations were falling short of transparency objectives. One of the sessions […]
‘This is just outrageous’: South Florida condo owners are dumping their homes after getting slapped with six-figure special assessments — and now the once-hot market is floundering
Maria Tkachun and her husband shelled out $490,000 for a seventh-floor apartment with a terrace and balcony boasting incredible views of South Florida’s Biscayne Bay in 2022. Two years later, the pair got hit with a six-figure special assessment — a charge that condo owners and homeowners in HOA communities must pay to either finance […]
Hammocks settling for $3.5M another suit against ex-HOA attorneys (FL)
The Hammocks is settling for $3.5 million another lawsuit against the homeowners association’s former law firms. The firms had allegedly waged a battle against investigators who were looking into allegations of fraud against an ex-HOA president. The settlement, which isn’t final until approved by the judge, marks the fourth with former HOA attorneys in the […]
Shots fired in Tavares condo complex Wednesday, knocks power out to multiple residences (FL)
Tavares Police Department is investigating after multiple shots were fired in a condominium complex late Wednesday night. Police believe there were multiple people involved in the incident and at least two shooters, due to evidence found at the scene. An electrical box was shot, leaving approximately 90 residents without power for nearly eight hours, Sullivan […]
Yes, new Florida law places limits on reasons HOAs can fine you
Homeowners’ associations oversee everything from what your yard or house can look like, to parking and noise. Florida has more HOAs than any state in the country, other than California. Roughly 45% of Floridians live in communities with an HOA which requires average payments ranging from $100 to $500 each month, according to this Miami […]
Condominium association seeks rezoning for timeshare rebuild (FL)
The proposed new Estero Island Beach Club aims to replace its previous two condominiums with a single structure on Fort Myers Beach. Standing in the way: current town code. Tuesday, the Estero Island Beach Club Condominium Association asked the Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency for permission to build up along Fort Myers Beach. Read […]
Jewfish Key group withdraws deannexation petition (FL)
Jewfish Key residents withdrew a petition to withdraw from the town of Longboat Key. The action May 31 resulted in the cancellation of a June 3 public hearing for the potential deannexation of the key. Jewfish Key is a 38-acre island off the north end of Longboat Key that is home to 21 parcels owned […]
Fate of East Naples golf course still unknown, as residents continue fight to preserve it (FL)
The fate of the former Riviera Golf Course in East Naples remains uncertain. It’s still mired in legal challenges – and the owners recently rejected a neighboring resident’s offer to buy it. Steve Campbell, who lives in the surrounding community of Riviera Golf Estates, offered to pay $857,000 for the more than 90-acre property, based […]
Town opts to move forward with annexation process (FL)
The Windermere Town Council hosted a virtual workshop Tuesday, May 28, to discuss the possibility of annexing the Chaine du Lac community into the town limits. Although a consensus was reached by council members to move forward with the annexation, opinions were divided on whether a referendum for a vote by the town residents should […]
Aventura condo board president arrested for pepper-spraying senior in parking spat, cops say (FL)
Police said they arrested the president of an Aventura condominium board Friday after he pepper-sprayed a 65-year-old who was helping his daughter move in after an apparent dispute over where the man parked. It came the same week after allegations of condo drama at another Aventura building led to the arrest of a 73-year-old […]
Violation Notices Part of Official Records (FL)
Q: Does a member of a homeowners’ association have the right to review a list of properties that have violated the HOA rules, such as landscape plants that are not permitted or exterior house paint colors not approved? Read the article…………………………….
Can condo association force owner to address bedbug infestation? (FL)
Question: One of the units in our condominium is infested with bedbugs. What recourse does the condo association have to require the owner to deal with this issue? Read the Q&A………………………………..
HOA Q&A: Can we give notice about a Board meeting electronically? (FL)
Q: What are the requirements regarding electronic Board meeting notices as governed by “Florida Administrative Codes, section 61B-75.002 Electronic Transmission of Notices”? Read the Q&A………………………………..
New Florida Law Requires HOAs to Adopt Hurricane Protection Measures
Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law House Bill 293 in an effort to help protect Florida’s single-family homes. Effective immediately, all homeowners associations in the state are mandated to establish hurricane protection specifications along with any other pertinent factors as determined by the association’s board of directors. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Q&A: Can the Board do anything about golf balls from our golf course pelting my home? (FL)
Q: I live on a golf course and my home is constantly pelted by golf balls. When I approached the homeowners association to try and prevent this potential danger, the association told me there is nothing they can do. How can I convince them to take action? Read the Q&A………………………………..
New law targets domineering HOAs, requires transparency from board members (FL)
A new law that limits homeowner association fines was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis will go into effect July 1st. “I am glad they are setting up new rules,” said The Hammocks resident Rosivette De Jesus. She said while she’s happy about the law, she still has serious doubts. “Who is going to enforce it?” […]
Q&A of the Day – What Changes w/Florida’s New HOA Law
The sweeping 44-page legislation is the state’s most aggressive move to rein in what some residents would suggest are overly aggressive HOAs in the state. Due to many meaningful changes that are expected to be in place in less than a month many homeowners and boards are attempting to understand what the impact with be […]
Aventura man accused of stalking former condo board opponent, brandishing weapons (FL)
According to an arrest report, Mitrani had been running against the victim for director on the board at Harborside Condominiums at 3640 Yacht Club Drive. Police said he eventually dropped out of the race and the victim won re-election. Police said between March 5 and May 26, Mitrani left 10 threatening voicemails, sent roughly 500 […]
22 hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak at condo in southwest Miami-Dade (FL)
Almost two dozen residents were taken to hospitals and dozens more were evacuated after a carbon monoxide leak at a condo building in southwest Miami-Dade Tuesday morning, officials said. Sixty people were assessed at the Hemingway Villa Condos on Southwest 40th Terrace, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Danny Cardeso said. Twenty-two were taken to hospitals, […]
Florida Condo Owners in Race Against Time Before Hurricane Season
Condo owners in Florida will be able to apply for funding as part of their associations to upgrade their buildings and mitigate storm damage ahead of what’s expected to be an above-normal hurricane season this year. Read the article…………………………….
“Becoming a big issue”: Conflicts at condo, homeowners associations fuel insurance woes
In Pembroke Pines, the Heron Pond condo complex’s property insurer halted coverage in April, and the general liability carrier warned it won’t renew its policy when it expires in June. Near North Miami Beach, the Star Lakes condo complex’s board president said he expects this year’s insurance premiums to be about 45 percent more than […]
Owners say condo board ghosting them after skipping inspection, not insuring building (FL)
Question: We are a 64-unit condominium that elected a board in 2022. This board replaced the previous property manager for no apparent reason. Since then, there have been no elections, and they aren’t giving us any information. We are prohibited from contacting any board members directly (at the risk of a fine), but the new […]
Dispute involving condo’s new parking scheme lands in court, makes local news (FL)
With so many South Florida condominium communities experiencing financial challenges, some associations and their boards of directors may wish to develop new sources of revenue to help mitigate raising owners’ monthly dues or implementing special assessments. However, as the recent litigation involving the Buckley Towers Condominium illustrates, devising a questionable new parking payment scheme and […]
DeSantis signs bills forcing Florida HOAs to allow hurricane hardening, more transparency (FL)
Your HOA may no longer prevent you from hardening your home against hurricanes, according to a new bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. But they can still tell you what color your hurricane shutters can be. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Q&A: Can the Board vote on a item that wasn’t on the agenda? (FL)
Q: I live in a beachfront condominium. At a recent regular 48-hour posted notice board meeting, with an agenda, one of the directors made a motion to adopt a rule about what remodeling work could be performed during “season” that was not listed on the agenda. The motion was approved by the board and now […]
Condo owners stuck on standby, waiting to access much-needed storm mitigation grant funding (FL)
Starting July 1, condo associations will have the opportunity to apply for part of $30 million in grant funding to help harden their buildings and mitigate storm damage. HB1029 which was approved by the Florida legislature in April, extended the existing My Safe Florida Home program to include condominiums. The program essentially provides mitigation inspections […]
Condo owners stuck on standby, waiting to access much-needed storm mitigation grant funding (FL)
Starting July 1, condo associations will have the opportunity to apply for part of $30 million in grant funding to help harden their buildings and mitigate storm damage. HB1029 which was approved by the Florida legislature in April, extended the existing My Safe Florida Home program to include condominiums. The program essentially provides mitigation inspections […]
16 units of Brandon condo building not habitable after 2-alarm fire (FL)
Sixteen units were damaged and no longer habitable after a two-alarm fire tore through a Brandon condominium building on Friday afternoon. The American Red Cross was assisting people who were left without a place to live. Read the article…………………………….
Loggers’ Run Boca Raton, Campbell Property Management Facing Federal Discrimination Lawsuit (FL)
The Loggers’ Run homeowners association and Campbell Property Management allegedly conspired in acts of Antisemitism to prevent a Jewish family from opening a Chabad in the community and from sharing Jewish education with others in their home. The federal discrimination lawsuit alleges violations of the Fair Housing Act. Read the article…………………………….
Expert Input on Vital Matters Facing South Florida Associations
The first of the two articles appeared on the front page of the Miami Herald’s Wednesday, May 15, edition. The article, titled “Did Florida lawmakers clean up condo-hotel mess or create ‘dictatorships’ for developers?”, focuses on the litigation involving the Carillon condo-hotel in Miami Beach, which spurred new legislation giving hoteliers and developers greater control […]
DeSantis signs law that forces Florida HOAs to allow residents to install storm-hardening improvements
Homeowners associations may no longer deny applications from homeowners to install certain storm-hardening equipment under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. Read the article…………………………….
My Safe Florida Condo Pilot Program: Frequently Asked Questions
On April 24, 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1029 into law, marking a pivotal moment in bolstering condominium resilience against hurricane damage. This significant milestone is important for Florida’s condominium owners’ associations to recognize in furtherance of efforts to protect Florida’s infrastructure. Read the article…………………………….