In recent years, an influx of ultra-wealthy individuals have decamped to Florida in search of warmer weather and a smaller tax bill. From Jeff Bezos to Bethenny Frankel, celebrities and billionaires alike have made the move, spurred by the lack of state and estate taxes and the promise of a sunnier lifestyle. But in many cases, the move has brought unpleasant surprises.    Read the article…………………………….

Could modern technology predict or prevent the next major structural collapse in Florida? A case study presented by RADISE International founder Kumar Allady showed attendees of Florida TaxWatch’s Spring meeting how sensors embedded in concrete could detect and track corrosion of cement.   Read the article…………………………….

South Florida may be heading into a multi-year housing market correction as the number of homes for sale has climbed to its highest level in nearly a decade. Real estate analysts say the drop in demand parallels homeowners deciding to sell amid rising costs and stagnant affordability.   Read the article…………………………….

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 article…………………………….

Residents of a Sand Key condominium tower were evacuated May 6 due to “potential structural issues” in the building, officials said. But months before, engineers who inspected the building said they had not “observed any conditions that would compromise the safety of the building.”     Read the article…………………………….

Their roof is aging and members have been battered with multiple years of gargantuan insurance increases, so a Pembroke Pines condominium association made sure they were among the first in an avalanche of applications for state condo-hardening grants.   Read the article…………………………….

The wait is over for some residents who will be returning home almost a week after evacuating from a Clearwater condo due to structural concerns.  Residents at The South Beach III Condominiums on Gulf Boulevard received a notice Monday night that said they would be allowed to return to their units, “effective immediately.”   Read the article…………………………….

WFLX is looking into the Green Terrace Condominium complex that was set to have its water shut off on Monday after being millions of dollars in debt with the city of West Palm Beach. The city said once the water was shut off, it would look into condemning the building, forcing residents out due to it being unlivable, and because of the number of repairs needed on property.   Read the article…………………………….

It hasn’t been pretty for condo owners in the Sunshine State since the collapse of the Champlain Towers South in 2021. After this tragedy, laws were passed requiring “milestone inspections” of older buildings and “structural integrity reserve studies” to determine how much money should be saved for future major repairs.   Read the article…………………………….

First this week, our recent question regarding the requirement to install charging stations for electric vehicles sparked a lot of interest and responses from EV owners (some nicer than others), particularly concerning the relative risk of electric vehicles when compared to traditional gas and diesel-fueled vehicles.    Read the article…………………………….

Residents in the Clearwater condo building evacuated last week will have another chance to access their homes. They were evacuated last week when a support beam at the South Beach III condo complex was found damaged.  Residents were able to return briefly to grab their things over the weekend. But it was only for 15-minute periods. On Tuesday, residents will briefly be allowed back inside   Read the article…………………………….

Q: In the back of my mind, I recall the board, about 10 years ago, filed some sort of “affirmation” of the governing documents. I cannot seem to find the law that tells how often this happens. Is it every 10 years? 30 years? Some other interval? In 2015, when this was done before, the documents were recorded with the County Recorder’s office.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Anticipating a refinancing offer that could save him $647 a month, Dave Mayers of Jupiter instead got a jolt of reality: The deal was nixed after lenders saw the level of insurance his condominium association was carrying. Inadequate insurance is the most oft-cited reason that more condominium associations are on federal mortgage guarantor Fannie Mae’s blacklist, a number that’s more than tripled over the past two years.   Read the article…………………………….

A recent engineering report on a 46-year-old condominium building in Clearwater found no significant structural problems before cracks were found in a concrete support column this week, according to local news reports.   Read the article…………………………….

After the Champlain Towers collapsed in 2021, killing 98 people in Surfside, the Florida legislature passed some of the strictest rules anywhere in the country to make sure buildings were being inspected, structural tests were done and repairs would be made. The costs passed on to condo owners has left many facing the loss of their homes. This week, the legislature passed measures to ease some of that financial burden.   Read the article…………………………….

Recovery efforts are continuing one year after the May 10 tornadoes tore through Tallahassee.  At Mystic Woods Condos in West Tallahassee, the mark the tornadoes had on the complex remains clear. Blue tarps are thrown over the roofs of some buildings, and residents say mold is becoming an increasing problem.   Read the article…………………………….

Dozens of residents have been unable to return to their homes after being evacuated from a Clearwater condo earlier this week due to structural concerns. However, on Friday, the condo association sent out a notice to residents of The South Beach III Condominiums on Gulf Boulevard, saying they would be allowed a “very limited, one-time access” to their units.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: I live in a condominium association. One of the owners has requested to see the ledgers for two homes that we believe are delinquent in the payment of assessments. Our Board has cited privacy concerns and has refused to provide access to the ledgers. Is the Board’s position correct?  Read the Q&A………………………………..

Construction crews continued to stabilize the condo building on Sand Key after it was evacuated after a crack was found in the parking garage.  Read the article…………………………….

A Pembroke Pines condominium’s governing board thought it moved quickly to get in line for a roof replacement grant when the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program opened to applications last November.   Read the article…………………………….

About sixty people must wait for another three days until they can return to their Clearwater condominium after concerns over its structural integrity. Cracks were found in a support column Tuesday prompting dozens to be evacuated from the building. 10 Tampa Bay turned to a forensics engineering expert to share more about what goes on to ensure the building is safe and sound for residents.    Read the article…………………………….

The scene at the South Beach III Condominiums, 1460 Gulf Boulevard, was transitioned to a private contractor and engineer around 9 p.m. Tuesday as efforts to address structural concerns got underway.   Read the article…………………………….

A post-Surfside safety measure indirectly helped catch a structural issue at a 12-story Clearwater condo. But the new laws have also caused a financial strain.    Read the article…………………………….

Neighbors at a Clearwater Beach condo complex are waiting for inspectors to give them the all-clear to come home after workers noticed major cracks in a garage pillar. Crews were in the process of making building repairs at South Beach Condos III on Tuesday when those cracks appeared to be growing.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo owners in the Heron community in West Kendall are facing a steep $3.4 million special assessment following a mandatory 40-year recertification, leaving many fearing financial ruin as they brace for a vote that could determine how or whether they will be able to keep their homes.   Read the article…………………………….

Following the devastating collapse of Champlain Towers South in 2021, Florida has undertaken the most sweeping condo safety reforms in the state’s history. These new regulations, while aimed at preventing another tragedy, have also placed significant financial burdens on condo associations and unit owners, raising concerns about affordability, property values, and legal exposure.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida lawmakers late last week gave final approval to a long-debated condominium bill, one designed to give condo owners a little relief on the high cost of bringing structures up to code. But the final version of the bill seems to have divided the condo insurance community. Some in the industry now worry that House Bill 913 went too far and may have inadvertently given owners options that could thwart spending on repairs or allow buildings to be undervalued and ...

Sixty people were evacuated from South Beach III Condos on Gulf Boulevard Tuesday after a crack was found in a support column, the Clearwater Police Department said. Aurora Donnelly was inside her condo when she heard firetrucks outside her building. When she went downstairs, she noticed dozens of first responders swarming her building.   Read the article…………………………….

Dozens of residents were urgently evacuated from a 12-story condominium building on Tuesday after construction workers discovered a growing crack in a support column in the building’s parking garage. The incident unfolded quickly as Clearwater Fire & Rescue and Clearwater police officers went door to door, evacuating about 60 people from the South Beach III Condos, located at 1460 Gulf Boulevard.   Read the article…………………………….

Gov. Ron DeSantis approves of condo safety legislation lawmakers passed last week, but he thinks it could have come much sooner and believes the House’s initial version of the bill wasn’t up to snuff. “I think it ended up in a good spot,” he said of the measure (HB 913) that passed unanimously April 30 after undergoing changes in both chambers of the Legislature.    Read the article…………………………….

Saying they are responding to residents’ concerns about rising costs, the Florida Legislature last week signed off on proposed changes to condominium-safety laws passed after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside that killed 98 people. The measure (HB 913), approved unanimously by the House and Senate, is now headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has made changing the condo laws one of his top priorities of this year’s legislative session.   Read the article…………………………….

A Florida condo association waited too long to sue FIGA over a hurricane insurance claim – and the court says the clock didn’t pause just because the original insurer failed  Read the article…………………………….

The HOA of 55+ “Valencia Isles” in Boynton Beach is suing a family that is caring for a 4-year-old child, saying that child can not live in the community because young people are not allowed to be there. The Valencia Isles Homeowners Association filed suit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court against Johanna Fonseca, her family, and the child.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: Our HOA has been searching for information regarding the percentage required for votes to make changes to common areas when the covenants are silent. Our documents require a two-thirds vote of members for amendments to governing documents, but nothing is said about changes to the common areas.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

After the Champlain Towers collapsed in 2021, killing 98 people in Surfside, the Florida legislature passed some of the strictest rules anywhere in the country to make sure buildings were being inspected, structural tests were done and repairs would be made. The costs passed on to condo owners has left many facing the loss of their homes. This week, the legislature passed measures to ease some of that financial burden. Jim talks to the state representative from Miami-Dade who led ...

Saying they are responding to residents’ concerns about rising costs, the Florida Legislature last week signed off on proposed changes to condominium-safety laws passed after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside that killed 98 people. The measure (HB 913), approved unanimously by the House and Senate, is now headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has made changing the condo laws one of his top priorities of this year’s legislative session.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: We are getting more requests by owners to install electric vehicle chargers in their deeded parking spots in our indoor garage. Our town fire marshall recently explained at our board meeting that the chargers and vehicles present a fire risk and that the fire cannot be extinguished.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Florida lawmakers have sent the governor a measure aimed at providing relief for tens of thousands of condominium owners struggling with rising costs in aging buildings.  Read the article…………………………….

Soon after the catastrophic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside in 2021, board officers at an aging condo in neighboring Bay Harbor Islands realized they had better get their act together.  Their far more modest building, the three-story Golden Key, was in OK shape. Luckily, it had been solidly built, in 1964, but president Andre Williams and fellow board members knew the concrete balconies badly needed reinforcing,    Read the article…………………………….

Q: When voting to change rules and regulations, we require 75% of the ownership. Can we change that to be 75% of the responses received for approval if 100% of the ownership doesn’t vote. Is a non-vote a “no” vote?  Read the Q&A………………………………..

Many Florida condo-owners say they’re at a breaking point. The unexpected repair assessments that started happening because of post-Surfside laws are causing a mass exodus from older high rises. And seniors on fixed incomes are suddenly in deep financial trouble.    Read the article…………………………….

Struggling Florida condominium owners could be about to receive much-needed financial relief after a bill to reform a 2022 building safety legislation passed the state Senate unanimously on Wednesday.  The bill combines the two competing solutions pushed forward by the Florida House and Senate in recent months, attempting to ease the financial strains on condo owners.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: My wife and I bought a condo a few years ago. Last year, we bought an electric car, only to learn that the building limits personal chargers to 14, along with the three shared chargers, for the nearly 200 parking spaces. The board informed me that the limit is due to the electrical service to the building, and upgrading the service would require a special assessment, something the other residents do not favor.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Here are links to a number of articles: Florida lawmakers approve changes to condo safety laws enacted after Surfside collapse Florida lawmakers approve changes to condo safety law passed after Surfside collapse Legislature approves condo safety package aimed at shoring up financial issues Lawmakers pass condo reform bill combining House, Senate versions  

How to balance condo safety with financial concerns over the hefty price tag to achieve it is still an open ended question, as legislation bounces back to the House for further consideration. Senators voted unanimously for an amended version of HB 913, which updates laws the Legislature passed after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside.   Read the article…………………………….

A fire broke out in the Village Creek Community, located at Winkler Avenue and Metro Parkway in Fort Myers.  Crews responded to the scene as flames erupted in one of the condo units early Wednesday morning.  The Fort Myers Fire Department and Fort Myers Police Department were present at the scene shortly after midnight.    Read the article…………………………….

Residents of Dockside At Ventura Condominiums in Central Florida are still waiting to return to their homes nearly three years after Hurricane Ian caused severe flooding and damage. The first-floor units of the 19-building complex were heavily impacted, requiring extensive repairs.   Read the article…………………………….

For years an association allowed a South Florida couple to rent their townhouses, then abruptly said, ‘not anymore,’ leaving them in a big mess. Can a board do that? It’s tonight’s Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.  When some people hear the word landlord, they wanna scream. Not Ana’s tenants.    Read the article…………………………….

The Senate has unanimously passed a bill aiming to improve the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program that enhances hurricane resilience.  St. Augustine Republican Sen. Tom Leek presented the bill (SB 592) before substituting in the House companion (HB 393) sponsored by Miami Republican Rep. Vicki Lopez. The House approved its version last week.    Read the article…………………………….

It took 5,500 Central Florida homeowners several years to win a landmark class action lawsuit against their developer, who was making millions in profit each year by charging them “club fees” to use their neighborhood pool, clubhouse and other amenities.  Now, as the Legislature plays out the final week of its regular spring session, a half-dozen bills are in play that not only would allow developers to charge those mandatory fees but also would protect them against current and future ...

The Sullivan Ranch neighborhood Homeowners Association sent out an email to residents on Tuesday afternoon to warn them of the monkey. HOA leaders said the loose monkey was spotted in Sullivan Ranch, specifically around the retention pond and in the rear yards along Sullivan Ranch Road.    Read the article…………………………….

The city of West Palm Beach had notified residents at a local community that their condominium association had not been paying their water bill and the city would turn off the water on Monday, April 28. That situation has now changed. According to the city, Green Terrace Condominiums, 2800 Georgia Avenue, has declared bankruptcy, which means the water won’t be shut off for at least another 30 days.    Read the article…………………………….

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 article…………………………….

News report about condo owners facing new laws regarding their buildings.   Video news report……………………..

WPTV is looking into the Green Terrace Condominium complex that was set to have its water shut off on Monday after being millions of dollars in debt with the city of West Palm Beach. The city said once the water was shut off, it would look into condemning the building, forcing residents out due to it being unlivable, and because of the number of repairs needed on property.    Read the article…………………………….

An “HOA-hating” man has been sentenced to prison time after he set a Longwood condominium complex on fire back in 2023, according to the State Attorney’s Office. In a release, SAO officials said that the man — Marc Hermann, 56 — had doused his condo unit with gasoline before igniting it.    Read the article…………………………….

Former Cuban Major League Baseball player, Yunel Escobar, has publicly spoken out about the hazardous structural conditions of the building he resides in within Miami-Dade, demanding immediate action to ensure resident safety. Through a series of Instagram posts, Escobar detailed his personal ordeal and sharply criticized the judicial system, condominium associations, and insurance companies, accusing them of negligence and corruption.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: My HOA collected 300 dollars to build a community dock that was voted on by the owners. There are apparently issues getting a permit, but the information is vague. How long can an association hold homeowners’ money? I feel there is no transparency from the board on this.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

New state regulations designed to forestall another deadly disaster like the Surfside condominium collapse have triggered widespread financial calamities for condo dwellers and their associations that the Florida Legislature is trying to fix as the clock runs out.   Read the article…………………………….

A dredge pumping sand to renourish Kure Beach is seen through the porch of a condominium at The Riggings on Friday, March 12, 2004. Despite its proximity to the federal renourishment program, the beach area at The Riggings did not receive any sand. For years, the condominium complex has battled beach erosion with sandbags.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: I am a condo owner. Our board of directors is adamant about doing some work in my unit, even though it is not necessary. They want to replace my copper piping that they say, “has the potential to leak — it could be six months from now or three to five years, who knows, from now but we need to replace them.”  Read the Q&A………………………………..

Following the Surfside building collapse, lawmakers went to work to put guidelines in place to ensure a tragedy like that would not happen again. Condo units in buildings at least three stores tall need to have structural integrity reserve studies. The goal is to ensure condo buildings have the funds to make needed or necessary repairs in the neat future. Owners are also contending with rising insurance costs as well.   Read the article…………………………….

Gustavo Martinez, acting as the guardian for his minor son, has filed a lawsuit against a homeowners’ association in Palm Beach County, Florida. The complaint was lodged on April 9, 2025, by Gustavo Martinez in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit against Cypress Estates of Palm Springs Homeowners’ Association, Inc. This legal action seeks damages exceeding $50,000 due to alleged negligence that resulted in injuries to his son.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: Per our bylaws, renters cannot have pets. A renter resident here has two dogs that she claims are service dogs and therefore she can have them. Can one person have two service dogs? –   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Mayra Villalona is sitting on what she thought was real estate gold. She bought a two-bed, two-bath condo near Fort Lauderdale in 2021 for $145,000, hoping to pounce on pandemic-era real estate prices. “This is really a great community to live in,” Villalona told CBS News. “It’s just to me, for me, it’s not an investment right now. It’s not a good one.”     Read the article…………………………….

The House approved a bill Wednesday that would give condo associations some financial relief. House Bill 913 would allow them to use lines of credit for essential repairs, instead of passing them on to residents.   Read the article…………………………….

As more people in Central Florida struggle to make ends meet, and more conversations and policies are focused on the issue of homelessness, we’re hearing from our News 6 viewers about what they’re seeing in our community. Bruce Brown wrote to our help desk about a homeless camp in between the Corniche Townhomes were he lives and Lowes on State Road 434. He said he noticed it as it started to grow.   Read the article…………………………….

Legislation passed after a 2021 deadly building collapse aimed to improve the safety of condominiums in Florida. But the increased inspections, studies, and changes to funding reserves have left people grappling with higher fees.   Read the article…………………………….

The Florida House on Wednesday approved in a near-unanimous vote this year’s condominium bill, which Gov. Ron DeSantis has criticized as part of his feud with the chamber’s leadership. With a little more than a week until the scheduled end of the session, House lawmakers approved Miami Republican Rep. Vicki Lopez’s bill, HB 913, which would allow condominium associations to open lines of credit instead of raising cash from owners to fund building repairs.   Read the article…………………………….

A former homeowners association president has been arrested for allegedly misusing more than $15,000 in HOA funds, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.  Roberto Montalvo Jr., 63, was taken into custody on Wednesday following an investigation by the agency’s Organized Crime Bureau and Real Estate Fraud Squad.  Detectives say Montalvo used $3,150 in HOA funds to pay for plumbing work at a family member’s unit and cashed additional checks totaling $12,400 for personal use.   Read the article…………………………….

Ask Anthony looks into a Jacksonville HOA that told a man he wasn’t allowed to fly the religious flag he had displayed in his yard.  Video news report……………………..

Q: My Condominium Association is painting the lanais on the building and in order to do so they have to remove the hurricane shutters. The Board has said the cost of removal of the shutters and the cost to reinstall is an individual expense of each owner since not all owners have shutters. Is this correct?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Florida is contending with a condo crisis, and the ballooning costs of ownership are a big reason why.  Retirees Rob and Karen Dickson moved from upstate New York to Punta Gorda, Fla., in 2021. They paid $319,000 for a condo with a terrace on the third floor, overlooking a golf course inside their gated community.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: Can you comment on the new laws that apply to homeowners’ associations regarding parking vehicles in driveways? Does this law include boat trailers?  A: This is an issue that has gotten a fair amount of attention recently but is not easy to answer or explain.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

At Seven Lakes in Fort Myers, owners are still paying $1,100 HOA monthly fees for units left uninhabitable since Hurricane Ian struck in 2022. The wait drags on with no clear end in sight….Read the article…………………………….

Rising fees and insurance costs have already increased monthly bills for some condo owners, who fear they can no longer afford to stay in their homes. The situation is cited as one of the reasons why condo prices keep falling in South Florida, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.  Across the state, the number of condos and townhomes on the market has shot up 92% since last year, according to the most recent data from Florida Realtors. Meanwhile, sales ...

Question: I have a question about who is responsible for covering repairs to my driveway. I live in a single-family home that has an HOA for the neighborhood. One day, I noticed some water coming up between the brick pavers that make up my driveway in front of my house. It wasn’t a gusher or anything but a noticeable flow of water. Plus, the surrounding area of the driveway was dry. It was just near the bottom center of my ...

Q. Our covenants committee wants to change our bylaws to allow non unit owners to serve on committees. But what are your thoughts about homeowners association employees serving on committees?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Aurora Rangel’s barn has been empty for six months.  The lifelong equestrian said she’s spending more than $20,000 a month to board her horses elsewhere — not because she’s leaving the sport, but because living next to a manure blending station has made her passion unbearable.    Read the article…………………………….

Streets lined with lush landscaping wind through what was once open ranchland, now transformed into a luxury community. At the entrance, royal palms rise in perfect formation, flanking an ornate Spanish Mediterranean guard house. Manicured lawns stretch across acres of greenery, where hundreds of trees cast shade over quiet sidewalks and upscale homes.  This is Gran Paradiso, a neighborhood within the master-planned community of south Sarasota County’s Wellen Park — formerly known as West Villages — that models a postcard ...

Neighbors at the 55+ Seven Lakes Community say dozens of condos are still unlivable after Hurricane Ian, but the fees continue to coming in, forcing some retirees to return to work.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo industry experts explain new state laws enacted after the Surfside condominium collapse in 2021. Palm Beach Post hosts Condo Crisis town hall    Watch the video……………………….

Last-minute objections to a planned memorial for the victims of the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse have upset family members who say the project must continue without delay.  The big picture: Commissioners and a family-led memorial committee have already approved design plans for a memorial park near the site of the Champlain Towers South collapse.   Read the article…………………………….

A New Hampshire-based company has filed a lawsuit against a Florida condominium association and two of its board members, alleging discriminatory practices that interfered with the sale of its property. JAR Holding Company LLC lodged the complaint in the Circuit Court for Palm Beach County on April 3, 2025, targeting Lake Harbour Towers North Condo Association Inc., along with board members Donna Hernandez and Gary Rippberger.     Read the article…………………………….

Florida condos are a popular real estate option for people living in the Sunshine State, especially if it has an ocean view.  However, a condo crisis is impacting condo owners throughout Florida because of rising financial costs caused by new special assessments and hiked-up HOA fees, caused by state laws passed requiring inspections and mandating condo associations to maintain reserve funds.  Read the article…………………………….

Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at helping condominium owners beset by rising costs. “What I will fight for is to make sure that condo owners see a safe future in their homes at a cost they can afford,” said Sen. Jennifer Bradley, a Republican from Fleming Island who’s one of the legislators behind the effort.   Read the article…………………………….

Time is running out for residents of the Green Terrace condominiums, south of Belvedere along Georgia Avenue.  In less than two weeks the city of West Palm Beach is planning on shutting down the water, and then plans to condemn the complex as they said the homeowners association is millions of dollars in debt.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at helping condominium owners beset by rising costs. “What I will fight for is to make sure that condo owners see a safe future in their homes at a cost they can afford,” said Sen. Jennifer Bradley, a Republican from Fleming Island who’s one of the legislators behind the effort     Read the article…………………………….

There are still a lot of differences that need to be reconciled between the 2 proposals. Bills to further shore up Florida’s condo safety laws are again advancing after undergoing changes in their most recent committee stops. The House bill (HB 913) by Miami Republican Rep. Vicki Lopez will next go to a floor vote. Its Senate analog (SB 1742) by Fleming Island Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley has one more panel to clear.    Read the article…………………………….

Palm Beach County officials are preparing to issue fines to building associations that have failed to comply with the state’s new safety-inspection law…….The Post will discuss the new law in detail during a Town Hall meeting April 16 called “The Condo Crisis.” A panel of industry experts will discuss the issue and answer your questions. The forum will be from 6-8:30 p.m. in The Press Lounge at The Post’s headquarters at 2751 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.     Read ...

Soaring insurance rates, condominium association fees and new regulations have decreased demand and prices for condominiums along Florida’s coasts while the inland market remains stronger, a Florida Gulf Coast University professor said.    Read the article…………………………….

Longboat Key town commissioners took the first steps in changing a code that required property owners to replace one tree with two.  On April 7, town commissioners unanimously gave first approval for an amendment to the code that provides relief to property owners who may not immediately want to replant trees because of the cost or need for further landscaping evaluation.    Read the article…………………………….

Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) is introducing bipartisan legislation to permanently extend and expand mortgage tax deductions and cut taxes on condominium owners.  Named the Middle-Class Mortgage Insurance Premium Act, Rep. Buchanan’s bill revives a tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums that expired in 2021.   Read the article…………………………….

We’re about halfway through the 2025 Legislative Session in Florida and, like most years, there are several bills that could change how community associations, like Homeowners and Condominium Associations, can operate.  This industry is one of the most highly regulated of any industry in Florida, mainly because of the continual conflict between associations and home and condo owners. The legislature is responsible for setting the table for any issues that might arise.   Read the article…………………………….

Some homeowners in Miami Gardens say they are being unfairly fined over dead grass, but not on their own property.  The issue lies on city-owned swales and residents are pushing back, saying aggressive code enforcement is targeting them for conditions they have little control over.   Read the article…………………………….

The number of Florida condos on the so-called nationwide “blacklist” maintained by the Federal National Mortgage Association—better known as Fannie Mae—has more than doubled in the past two years, according to recent reports. That means that a growing number of condo owners in the Sunshine State are struggling to sell their units or get loans for repairs at a time when a new building safety regulation is forcing them to face climbing costs.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: As a unit owner, I have come across a provision in our condominium documents that is unclear about maintenance responsibilities. This ambiguity has sparked different interpretations, resulting in disagreements. What is the best way to clarify this provision and resolve the disagreements that stem from it within our community? We would rather hash things out than take the issue to court.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Question: My community recently approved roof replacements from the existing cement tile to metal. In a year’s time, half of the 28 towns homes replaced their roofs, but the others are still waiting. I guess they are waiting for leaks or money to do the job. Note that all the roofs here are over 20 years old.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference Thursday during which he continued ripping into the Florida House, focusing on a proposal addressing rising condominium association fees. The governor took the Senate’s side on dueling proposals that committees in neither chamber have heard in weeks, saying Miami Republican Rep. Vicki Lopez’s condo bill, HB 913, puts the interests of developers above that of residents. Lopez represents Key Biscayne.   Read the article…………………………….

A secretive quasi-governmental condo blacklist is growing exponentially, making it difficult for owners in scores of troubled buildings in Miami and South Florida to sell or get loans for repairs even as their associations face a fiscal and time crunch to meet stringent new state safety regulations.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: The manager of our homeowners’ association told the board that it was obligated to put the “MRTA issue” on the agenda for its annual meeting. When pressed for further details, she said it is a complicated real estate law she is not qualified to explain and that we should contact the association’s attorney. Can you shed any light on this?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

House Bill 913 is in the process of moving through Florida’s legislature, and it promises to make consequential changes regarding condo safety regulations.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Is it legal for a board President to use HOA funds to make political contributions?  A:  NO. First and foremost, assessments collected from the members of the association may only be expended on common expenses of the association.     Read the Q&A………………………………..

lorida condominium owners are increasingly worried about being forced out of their properties by rising fees stemming from a new building safety regulation introduced in the aftermath of the Surfside collapse.  “I’m scared,” Georgie Pratt, the owner of a one-bedroom condo at Winter Park Woods in northern Orange County, told WESH 2 reporter Justin Schecker.   Read the article…………………………….

South Florida’s condo and rental markets are undergoing changes due to shifting laws, increasing costs and evolving development. Rising condo fees and looming requirements for financial reserves have triggered more condo terminations and buyout attempts, often fueled by developers targeting older or underutilized properties./Read the article…………………………….

Last year, the Florida Legislature made sweeping changes to rein in what homeowner associations could do to their members, amounting to essentially a Homeowner’s Bill of Rights that drastically limited HOA fines, enforcement and rules. Another new law forced HOAs to allow homeowners to harden their homes against hurricanes.    Read the article…………………………….

Miami-Dade deputies say a security guard at a condominium complex lost his cool on a senior who was filing a complaint against him, leading to his arrest on a felony charge Thursday. The MDSO report states that it all started after the victim, a 66-year-old man, “momentarily” parked in a handicapped parking spot in order to unload groceries.     Read the article…………………………….

A second House panel has advanced a measure that seeks to put more protections in place for property owners who are part of homeowners associations (HOAs). Miami Republican Rep. Juan Porras presented the legislation (HB 983) to the Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee. He said the bill would implement measures that would enhance the transparency, accountability and fairness in the operation of HOAs.    Read the article…………………………….

Ulises Garcia found a beautiful oceanfront condominium on the Treasure Coast………Substantial structural deterioration, however, was documented Dec. 13, 2023, during a “milestone inspection” report. Consequently, Dune Walk by the Ocean is facing $1.6 million in repairs set to begin this month and last 12-14 months, Garcia said.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Thursday to continue to push the Florida Legislation to pass relief for condominium owners in South Florida.  DeSantis said that the high-cost fee assessments imposed on condo owners are putting them in jeopardy of losing their homes, especially senior citizens living on fixed incomes.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is discussing financial relief for condominium owners in a news conference on Thursday in the city of Sweetwater. “I don’t need to tell people in southern Florida, we’ve got a problem with our condo market right now,” DeSantis said.    Read the article…………………………….

Let’s start with AMC –it’s Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce; CHOAB refers to the AMC Condo and Homeowners’ Assoc. for Board Members & Property Managers;…..the AMC’s very successful CHOAB Committee, chaired by the Hon. Dr. Linda Marks, former Aventura Vice Mayor…… have companies specific to associations provide valuable information and answer questions from association leaders from throughout South Florida.    Read the article…………………………….

The Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach is at the center of a legal battle after the landowner moved to evict the residents and close the park. The Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association on March 28 sued the park owner, Pines Park Investors LLC, challenging closure notices sent to residents.    Read the article…………………………….

While Florida’s coastal condo markets are seeing price declines, inland Florida’s median condo sale price rose 5.4% year over year in January, according to a new report from Redfin. This contrasts with a 4.8% price drop on the Gulf Coast and a 3% decline on the Atlantic Coast. The inland market is holding up even better than its single-family home segment, which saw a 3.7% price increase in the same period.   Read the article…………………………….

Tensions have been rising between Lakewood Ranch homeowners and teenagers being accused of running amok on electric bikes. “Residents are so frustrated, I am actually scared a resident is going to take this into their own hands,” said Eddie Gonzalez, a former police officer and current president of Arbor Grande’s Homeowners Association.    Read the article…………………………….

With the 2025 hurricane season less than two months away, condominium owners are facing some hard realities about rising insurance costs and skyrocketing fees. Condo association fees have increased significantly since the condo building collapse in the Miami suburb of Surfside in June 2021.   Video news report……………………..

A condo development in West Palm Beach has been given a little more time to pay its unpaid water bill of more than $1 million dollars. Residents had been given a notice that the city would shut off the water on April 7. Green Terrace is a condo community with 87 units and apparently has not been paying its water bill.    Read the article……….

New state laws enacted after the Surfside condominium collapse in 2021 have created a financial crisis throughout Florida.  The USA TODAY Florida Network, which includes 19 daily newspapers throughout the state, has written extensively on the topic that has generated significant interest and concern for many condo owners in Florida.     Read the article…………………………….

The CBS12 News I-Team continues to follow Florida’s condo crisis. The laws that were passed in the name of safety following the Surfside disaster are making condo-living incredibly expensive. Now we’re learning America’s biggest mortgage firm, Fannie-Mae, has a condo black-list and its been growing in size since the reforms were enacted.      Read the article…………………………….

The CBS12 News I-Team continues to follow Florida’s condo crisis. The laws that were passed in the name of safety following the Surfside disaster are making condo-living incredibly expensive. Now we’re learning America’s biggest mortgage firm, Fannie-Mae, has a condo black-list and its been growing in size since the reforms were enacted.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: The manager of our homeowners’ association told the board that it was obligated to put the “MRTA issue” on the agenda for its annual meeting. When pressed for further details, she said it is a complicated real estate law she is not qualified to explain and that we should contact the association’s attorney. Can you shed any light on this?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

The news that a rising number of Miami-Dade County condos are included on a “blacklist” of properties that may be blocked from securing conventional mortgage financing and potentially face a tough time obtaining maintenance loans is sure to set off alarm bells in our community. And it should.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: My Condominium Association is painting the lanais on the building and in order to do so they have to remove the hurricane shutters. The Board has said the cost of removal of the shutters and the cost to reinstall is an individual expense of each owner since not all owners have shutters. Is this correct?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

New state laws enacted after the Surfside condominium collapse in 2021 have created a financial crisis in Florida and Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach Post has written extensively on the topic that has generated significant interest and concern for many condo owners in South Florida. That’s why The Post will be conducting a live town hall on Wednesday, April 16 called the Condo Crisis.    Read the article…………………………….

A secretive quasi-governmental condo blacklist is growing exponentially, making it difficult for owners in scores of troubled buildings in Miami and South Florida to sell or get loans for repairs even as their associations face a fiscal and time crunch to meet stringent new state safety regulations.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo prices are plummeting across Florida as homeowners flood the market with new inventory in a last-ditch attempt to escape rising fees on their units, according to new Redfin data. Eight out of the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas with the highest share of condos sold below their original list price in February were in the Sunshine State, a report showed, with Miami topping the list. A staggering 92.5 percent of condo owners in the South Florida city fetched less than ...

The residents of a luxury condominium in Florida’s Palm Beach County are accusing the builder and developer of shoddy construction work on the property, which is just 7 years old.  The condo association of the VistaBlue building on Singer Island made the claims in a lawsuit now quietly working its way through the court, naming developer Riviera Beach Investors and general contractor Wieland Corporation alongside a bevy of subcontractors.   Read the article…………………………….

As downtown Sarasota continues to develop, more and more residents are calling condos their home. With the growth of these high-rise buildings comes a rising concern over safety, costs, and insurance.  A new bill, House Bill 913, is making its way through the state legislature, aiming to address these issues, but at what cost to condo owners?    Read the article…………………………….

A Miami Lakes insurance agent is facing multiple felony charges after state investigators said he personally “pocketed” a more than $220,000 insurance premium on a condominium association’s policy.  But he’s already staring down a three-year federal prison sentence in an unrelated case for an even bigger swindle.    Read the article…………………………….

New surveillance video showed the moment rainwater started flooding an elevator at Vendome Place and the heroic actions of one man inside. Rick Sardana was heading down the rear elevator to move his sports car from the on-site parking to protect it from the heavy rain that fell across South Florida. He was riding the elevator with another man and his young daughter when the elevator got stuck.     Read the article…………………………….

Golf balls continue to fly off course and into a South Florida condo complex. Last year, the mayor promised to fix the problem after a man was hit and injured. But nine months later, residents are still waiting. Heather Walker has the update in 7Investigates. James Grimes showed us all the golf balls he’s collected over the past year, while taking walks in his condo community.   Read the article…………………………….

There are several bills and resolutions impacting Florida communities and property owners that our firm’s South Florida community association attorneys are keeping an eye on as they make their way through both chambers of the Florida Legislature. Here’s an overview (albeit not a comprehensive nor an exhaustive list of all pending bills) of some of the measures being considered:   Read the article…………………………….

Nearly four years after the Crestview Towers condominium on North Miami Beach was evacuated after the building was deemed unsafe, residents are being told it is safe to return. After years of structural and electrical repairs and inspections, the city announced that as of Friday, March 25, all required repairs, permits and inspections had been successfully completed    Read the article…………………………….

The Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association has filed a lawsuit against park own­ers Pines Park Investors LLC asking in part for an injunction against the park closure and threatened evictions. The lawsuit, filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court on March 28 by Sarasota-based attorney David J. Fredericks, claims that park owners failed to comply with state law, which rendered the park closure invalid.   Read the article…………………………….

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 Fox 4’s Bella Line that it’s effecting their day to day lives.   Read the article…………………………….

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………………………………..

. . . 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 in upholding fair and lawful processes.   Read the article…………………………….

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, a proponent of the suit.    Read the article…………………………….

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 was being done.   Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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…………………………….

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. “them” mentality. It is used to oppose racial justice movements, and it is also associated with white supremacy (you can also Google the fact that ...

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 being made – would that still be considered a “meeting”?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

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 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 Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said before her committee unanimously approved the measure.   Read the article…………………………….

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……………………..

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 too costly and conveniently located.   Read the article…………………………….

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 buildings over three stories in height to undergo 30- and 40-year certification reviews and “fully fund” reserves for repairs per Structural Integrity Reserves Studies (SIRS).  ...

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 HOA.    Read the article…………………………….

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” investment decisions.    Read the article…………………………….

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 forward collected funds directly to the condominium association each month.”   Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 before her committee unanimously approved the measure.   Read the article…………………………….

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 article…………………………….

Q: Can you provide an overview of the new law on education requirements for board members of a homeowners’ association?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

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……………………..

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…………………………….

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 the HOA’s Declaration of Restrictive Covenants and is a safety hazard.    Read the article…………………………….

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 outside of the Terra Nova Condominiums     Read the article…………………………….

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 as owners rushed to list their homes to avoid paying for newly mandated repairs.   Read the article…………………………….

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 the pool), but our community has a rule that bans food or beverages (other than water) through the entire fenced pool area.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

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 outside of the Terra Nova Condominiums as some residents took to the streets in protest Thursday evening. The problem, they said, is an upcoming assessment ...

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…………..

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………………………………..

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 not require them. I believe the bushes are on common property and the HOA has always maintained them. A few other homeowners in the main ...

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’ boards.   Read the article…………………………….

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 they now pay monthly or quarterly. Whether it’s money going in to the operating budget or reserves budget, the two can add up to a ...

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…………………………….

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 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 throughout its 55 acres, this 55-plus community is someone’s idea of the so-called Florida paradise.    Read the article…………………………….

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 from New York offered $160 million last month to buy the storied Grove landmark overlooking Biscayne Bay. The new bid follows on the heels of ...

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 owning the house.” It’s a priceless sentimental asset that she said was nearly foreclosed on after she went through illness and loss of income, while ...

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…………………………….

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 liability, leaving Amerisure to face the music alone.   Read the article…………………………….

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 Harris proof.”   Read the article…………………………….

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 about 10 years and have never been told that it is an unacceptable flag.   Read the article…………………………….

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………………………………..

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…………………………….

Florida’s pandemic-era housing boom is finally starting to fade.  For-sale inventory in the state has reached the highest levels on record, and homes are staying on the market longer even as peak homebuying season kicks off. In many parts of the state, prices are starting to fall.    Read the article…………………………….

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 $4,000 to $5,000 each, totaling around $40,000 in lost vegetation.     Read the article…………………………….

In a gripping legal battle that has emerged from Palm Beach County, Florida, a resident is seeking justice following a traumatic incident involving malfunctioning property equipment. On February 28, 2025, Suzanne Caplan filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit against Valencia Pointe Master Association, Inc. and Castle Management, LLC., also known as Castle Group. The complaint centers around an unfortunate accident that left Caplan with severe injuries and seeks compensation exceeding one million dollars.    Read ...

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.    Read the article…………………………….

Residents at Grenadier Lakes at Welleby said their costs doubled after the previous HOA board resigned.    Video news report……………………..

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…………………………….

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…………………………….

Condo boards would be able to get loans without the approval of their wider association membership, according to a wide-ranging bill aimed at shoring up condo safety that received unanimous approval from a House panel Tuesday.   Read the article…………………………….

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 sustainability” as condo boards struggle to comply with laws passed after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside that killed 98 ...

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 trouble in paradise.    Read the article…………………………….

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’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…………………………….

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 foreclosure.   Read the article…………………………….

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 certification. Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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………………………………..

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…………………………….

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 cul-de-sacs around islands with plants and grass, and there are plants and a lawn around the pool entrance and a small, wooded area in one ...

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………………………………..

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 cases. He believes that stricter accountability is necessary for all of them.   Read the article…………………………….

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, with three or more floors.     Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 was trespassing and deputies were called, according to Phil Douglas, board president of the Villas association.    Read the article…………………………….

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 11. But the race for District B has raised eyebrows, with one city hall hopeful facing multiple lawsuits from her opponent and others in her ...

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…………………………….

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 last six weeks.    Read the article…………………………….

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. And 24 months of chaos.Read the article…………………………….  Tanya Kraus: “Absurd, absurd.”

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 defendant.   Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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.     Video news report……………………..

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. 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 press release. “HB 983 introduces key reforms that address persistent challenges in HOA governance, ensuring that homeowners are protected from unfair practices and have a ...

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.     Video news report……………………..

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 a senior community near Lake Worth Beach who has been sharing their concerns for months as many residents live on a fixed income.   Read the ...

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 Florida condo owners,” Gov. DeSantis said.    Read the article…………………………….

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 case of an emergency, the booted one and the one trapped in the garage?  Read the Q&A………………………………..

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……………………..

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…………………………….

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 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…………………………….

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 associations have been scrambling to catch up and have raised fees — in some areas drastically — to make up the cash.     Read the ...

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…………………………….

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 frustration — to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, which in early February asked the public to describe how they were being affected by rising condo ...

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 believe we only needed 13 clean ballots to have a legal election.     Read the Q&A………………………………..

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…………………………….

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 their own camera up facing the pool. So does that literally mean we could have 100 cameras up? I’m sure there is nothing in by-laws ...

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…………………………….

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 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 program for low-income seniors living in condo complexes to help pay for costly assessments to repair damage by the homeowner’s association. SB690 and HB1415 would require a structural ...

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 living on fixed income who are forced to be using money from our emergency fund to cover this. My question is what can we do ...

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, in hopes of stopping it.     Read the article…………………………….

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 through communities where Curtis and BDM are still employed.     Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 date back to 2012.   Read the article…………………………….

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 three buildings on the property.   Read the article…………………………….

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 to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for investigations and possible penalties.    Read the article…………………………….

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 as owners rushed to list their homes to avoid paying for newly mandated repairs.    Read the article…………………………….

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.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida condo and townhouse sales dropped 10.5% in 2024, the lowest in 15 years, according to trade association Florida Realtors, after a hike in special assessments and monthly fees due to new statewide condo safety legislation.  New data from real estate company Redfin suggests condo sales are moving inland and prices there are going up.    Read the article…………………………….

There are several very good reasons why community associations prohibit residents and their guests from feeding the wildlife. Alligators, crocodiles, birds, iguanas, snakes, raccoons, possums, stray cats and other animals present more than just a nuisance and inconvenience; they can create dangerous, unsanitary and destructive conditions resulting in costly repercussions.  Read the article…………………………….

Returning to the SeaHorse Beach Resort feels like returning home for many of the condo-hotel’s owners and guests. Hurricanes Helene and Milton battered the resort and its first floor, including the pool. The resort needed plenty of help. Sam McCarter said, luckily, the resort is built on a strong foundation — its owners and staff.   Read the article…………………………….

Condo associations failing to comply with Florida’s new building-safety legislation could be denied coverage by the state’s insurer of last resort, Citizens, under a bill proposed by Miami State Representative Vicki Lopez.   Read the article…………………………….

A Miami lawmaker is proposing to end state-run property insurance for condo associations that shirk compliance with new building-safety laws passed after a 12-story residential tower in Surfside collapsed in 2021, a move that would largely impact South Florida.  Most condominium buildings three stories and higher must have had a building-safety inspection and study outlining recommended budgets for future building maintenance by Dec. 31 of last year.    Read the article…………………………….

I’ve wanted to install solar for a long time, but there has always been a reason it doesn’t make sense for me.  When I first wanted to install solar about 8 years ago, it didn’t make sense, since my roof was 15 years old, and it adds a lot to your costs (maybe $4,000 or so in my area for 22 panels) if you install them and then have to have them taken down and reinstalled in just a few ...

Q: Can you provide clarification on what constitutes a “quorum” of condominium unit owners. We sometimes struggle to distinguish between a majority of owners and a quorum. Could you explain how voting interests relate to quorum requirements?     Read the Q&A………………………………..

Florida’s inland condo market is showing stronger performance compared to coastal regions, with median sale prices rising 5.4% year over year in January, while Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast prices declined 4.8% and 3% respectively. The strength in inland areas is attributed to newer developments, lower insurance costs, and reduced natural disaster risks.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: We’ve had some differences of opinion about whether the rights of an owner (as delineated in the condominium documents) pass through to the guests of an owner. For instance, our condo documents allow for the parking of two vehicles for each owner, and our association charges a fee to park the guests of an owner. Is that legal?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Q: We had our annual meeting and the election of new directors. We voted for five candidates for four directorships. After the annual meeting an organizational meeting of the new and incumbent board members was conducted. The board appointed the losing candidate to the office of treasurer. This is a blatant disregard of the wishes of the membership. Can we recall any or all of the newly elected board, turning the operations of the association over to the property management ...

We want to inform you of a recent update from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) regarding Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting deadlines. After a decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Smith, et al. v. U.S. Department of the Treasury, et al., BOI reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) are once again back in effect.   Read the article…………………………….

In Florida’s sweeping push to ensure aging condo buildings are kept safe, there are many key things that have — and haven’t — happened so far this year.  Many condo associations for older buildings with three or more stories were required by Dec. 31 last year to submit inspection paperwork. It’s necessary under new safety guidelines that were enacted after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside that killed 98 people.    Read the article…………………………….

The recently elected homeowners association (HOA) board of Fairfield Village has been working very diligently in the two months since the seven new members were elected. They are working cooperatively with Sun Corporation to make worthwhile improvements to our community.   Read the article…………………………….

Rebecca Liebson with the Tampa Bay Times joined FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer to break down the state of the condo crisis in Florida, where some condo owners are preparing for the reality of having to sell for a loss, stemming from guidelines passed in the fallout of the Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside.  Video news report……………………..

Miami condo living faces mounting financial and safety challenges, underscored by escalating repair costs, lawsuits and market instability. New structural integrity mandates, enacted after the Surfside collapse, have led to financial strains for condo owners, including special assessments and association fees. Legal disputes, such as those involving luxury towers in Bal Harbour, highlight issues of deferred maintenance, structural risks and misallocated funds.    Read the article…………………………….

The mayor’s comment that Palm Coast is not an HOA has offended some of our long-term homeowners who would prefer that Palm Coast be an HOA. But the mayor spoke the obvious truth. An HOA is a contractual association in which the residents give up some of their property rights in return for the supposed comfort of various rules as to house colors, vehicle restrictions, how to breathe, etc. OK, I slipped in that last one, but some HOA boards ...

Q: I live in a small condominium community. About five years ago, I planted an avocado pit in a common area landscape island in the parking lot, which has since grown to be a lovely tree. I came home yesterday and noticed one of the residents decided to cut it down on his own. Our condo docs are silent on this issue. Do I or the Association have any recourse for this terrible act?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

The South Gulf Cove Homeowner Association will host a fundraising event to honor the late Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz.     Read the article…………………………….

Marco Island condo owners are regaining beach views following a period of proverbial sour grapes over tall sea grapes – and other sand dune vegetation – that city officials prevented trimming for months.  City of Marco Island officials began granting sea dune maintenance permits by February after several months of numerous permits being held in limbo.?   Read the article…………………………….

Seniors from Lake Clarke Gardens, near Lake Worth Beach, are taking their concerns over the rise in condo costs into their own hands. Fees that are hitting many of their budgets as condo owners throughout Florida are being forced to pay thousands to cover the costs. “We gotta show up and make our voices heard,” said Gloria Gracia. She has lived in Lake Clarke Gardens for 10 years and said the rise in fees over assessments and reserves is putting ...

Some Florida condo owners are steaming after their homeowners association asked them to submit their dog’s DNA in order to fine owners who don’t pick up after their pets.  Harbor Landing residents said they received a letter last week and some feel it’s an invasion of privacy. The letter asked residents to register their dogs and cats with the association through a DNA test, citing a significant increase in the amount of animal feces found throughout the property recently, including ...

Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) will continue working on homeowners association reform in the new legislative session.  Bahner says Minnesota homeowners have long faced challenges with homeowners associations (HOAs), but a lack of state statutes has left consumers without protections.    Read the article…………………………….

A Miami-Dade County sheriff’s deputy suffered a minor injury in a dramatic police chase and helicopter search Saturday afternoon that started with a traffic stop and ended with a man being taken into custody in the home of a condominium president in Key Biscayne, officials and witnesses said.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: Our condo building currently has three people on the board, but a significant majority of owners would like to increase that number to five. Unfortunately, our bylaws are not clear on what process must be followed to make this happen; the current bylaws say we must have a minimum of three directors but very little about how to increase that number. We would very much appreciate your thoughts on this topic.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Looking to rent in northern Orange County? Online listings for Winter Park Woods are less than $1,800 a month.  “And I love this location, which is why I stayed here all this time, through the ups and downs,” Winter Park Woods condo owner Lorraine Roy said.  For Roy to keep living in her three-bedroom condo of more than three decades, her new monthly HOA fee has tripled to $3,371.79.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: I am aware that one of the new laws for homeowners associations provides that if the Board levies a fine or imposes a suspension of use rights against someone who violates the rules, and the person corrects the violation before the fining/suspension committee meeting is held to uphold or cancel the sanction, then the fine or suspension cannot be imposed.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

After nearly two hours of discussions, High Springs Commissioners rejected a controversial proposal to create a special government unit. The proposal would have allowed developers of a large neighborhood now under construction to tax future homeowners.  High Springs City Commissioner Katherine Weitz led opposed Bridlewood Subdivision developers asking for a “Community Development District.” (CDD).    Read the article…………………………….

The calls and emails suddenly started pouring in for Lisa Gardner, president of the condominium association at the Marenas Beach Resort. A scientific study, led by the University of Miami, published in December had found that 35 buildings along Miami’s barrier islands were sinking beyond what was typically expected. The Marenas, a 28-floor condo hotel in Sunny Isles Beach, was one of them. Residents wanted to know what to think.   Read the article…………………………….

Twenty-three residents of Villa Del Sol are taking legal action against the condo board, current and past property managers and engineers for negligence.  This comes after 36 residents were evacuated from three buildings on the property after an inspection found structural damage in August 2024.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo owners are waiting for answers on whether lawmakers will do anything to ease concerns over rising fees.  The News Service of Florida reported that State House Speaker Daniel Perez has ruled out “bailouts” for condo owners facing high fees. Previously, State Sen. Jason Pizzo, a Democrat out of South Florida, echoed similar comments. Tom Schoeller is the condo association president for Casa Del Mar 1 in St. Petersburg. He pushed back on the use of “bailouts,” saying that condo ...

A quality of life that for so long has been attainable for those of us of moderate income now threatens to slip beyond our reach. Condo living, which for decades has drawn millions of out-of-staters to Florida’s warmth and coastal bounty, is increasingly too expensive to sustain, particularly for retirees.    Read the article…………………………….

Condominium owners shouldn’t expect financial “bailouts” to cover increased costs as condo associations try to comply with state laws passed after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside that killed 98 people, key lawmakers said Tuesday.  With the Legislature discussing potential changes in condo laws, House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Rep. Vicki Lopez, a Miami Republican working on the issue, said new proposals won’t involve direct financial assistance.   Read the article…………………………….

It may be more than two decades old, but an agreement on a Captiva resort’s density still holds, a Lee County judge has ruled. That means no more than 912 units are allowed at South Seas Island Resort, which occupies about a third of the island.    Read the article…………………………….

One of the top Republicans who has worked on condominium laws said Tuesday that Florida’s condo crisis has been a long simmering problem and is not just the result of legislation passed in the aftermath of the 2021 Surfside building collapse that left 98 people dead.  Senate Regulated Industries Chair Jennifer Bradley delivered that message during the committee’s first meeting for 2025, which featured a panel session with attorneys, real estate people, architects, and engineers operating in Florida’s condo market.  ...

Plans for a new memorial in Surfside are coming to light.  Renderings for the memorial, which will be built to honor the victims of the Champlain Towers South condo building collapse, were obtained by Local 10 News on Monday.    Video news report……………………..

New building safety legislation ensuring that Florida’s aging condos have the money to undertake necessary repairs could trigger the “next wave of homeless people” in the state, Florida State House Representative Mike Caruso has warned.  Republican lawmaker Caruso, an ally of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, is calling for legislators in Tallahassee to amend the controversial new law, SB 4D, which has triggered the unfolding condominiums crisis in South Florida.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I am on the board of a 54 home HOA. One of the owners has basically all plants in his front yard. That has been that way since I moved into the community 14 years ago. I don’t believe anyone gave him permission to do that but apparently the board at the time turned a blind eye. We now have the next-door neighbor to this house I mentioned starting to move his landscaping farther out into the grass and ...

The growing tension between tennis and pickleball players at Valencia Shores, a 55-plus community west of Boynton Beach, led to the rejection of a plan to convert another tennis court into pickleball and bocce facilities. The referendum, which required a two-thirds majority, failed to secure enough votes, leaving the community divided over the issue.   Read the article…………………………….

The developer of a West Palm Beach waterfront condominium billed as the ultimate in luxury is being accused by its association of a bait and switch scheme where promised high-end finishes and amenities were replaced by cheap alternatives or not delivered at all. According to a nearly 500-page legal complaint filed Feb. 5 in Palm Beach County against the developer of La Clara condominium, buyers of the multi-million-dollar units were sold pre-construction residences based on flashy brochures claiming “pleasure springs ...

Although Cape Coral City Council did not support a petition from the Sandoval Community Association to take over one of its roads, the request remains under consideration.  The association asked for Council to consider the transfer of Heydon Lane to the city.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: Does the three stories or higher new inspection rule count a parking level below the three living levels of a condo, thus actually making the building itself four stories? —     Read the Q&A………………………………..

Q. I understand there is a new law for condominiums that when the Board of Directors considers a contract at a board meeting, a copy of the contract must be attached to the meeting notice. Is this true?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

A former condo president in New Smyrna Beach has been accused of taking about $1 million from a condo association, leading to huge fee hikes for residents, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.  In a news release, deputies said that an investigation into the theft began after the sheriff’s office received complaints in April 2024 from residents at the Smyrna Beach Club condo complex.    Read the article…………………………….

Palm Beach County’s condominium and townhome market limped through 2024 still suffering aftershocks from the Surfside tragedy and facing higher insurance costs that led to the lowest number of deals closing in at least a decade.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s 2025 to 2026 budget includes more than $600 million for home and condominium risk-mitigation programs, in addition to funding requested by the Office of Insurance Regulation, according to a report from AM Best.  The funding would allow the My Safe Florida Home grant program to clear a waitlist of 45,000 property owners and add 10,000 new slots    Read the article…………………………….

When the entire homeowners association (HOA) board at Grenadier Lakes at Welleby in Sunrisa abruptly resigned, dozens of condo unit owners were left in financial limbo, forced to pay twice for insurance because state law delayed the election of new leadership.  With no board in place to authorize payments, the community’s insurance provider demanded more than $20,000 by Friday.   Read the article…………………………….

The pickleball-tennis wars have reached a feverish pitch at Valencia Shores, a 55-plus development west of Boynton Beach whose board was looking to take away another tennis court to accommodate the growing demand for pickleball.    Read the article…………………………….

NBC6 was there in December when residents at the Summit Towers Condominiums in Hollywood questioned a multi-million dollar proposed special assessment they were facing, even though they said their building had recently completed and passed their 40-year recertification.   Read the article…………………………….

The 2021 Surfside Condo collapse spurred the Florida legislature into action, in an effort to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again. Laws passed have increased scrutiny on maintenance and forced residents to make much larger financial commitments to reserve funds, so that condo associations can make repairs when needed. However, there is a growing concern among condo owners that the legislation has led to an unsustainable increase in costs, even to the point of being priced out of their ...

The 2021 Surfside Condo collapse spurred the Florida legislature into action, in an effort to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.Laws passed have increased scrutiny on maintenance and forced residents to make much larger financial commitments to reserve funds, so that condo associations can make repairs when needed.    Read the article…………………………….

When a group of Bay Isles Harbor residents took a closer look at their association fees in 2022, disparities in how their properties were assessed stirred up concern.  That led to the civil suit filed in late 2023, and litigation for the trial is still ongoing. A group of nine residents in Bay Isles Harbor, a sub-association of the Bay Isles Association (BIA), claims the BIA has been assessing property owners using homestead exemptions in contrast to what is allowed ...

A quality of life that for so long has been attainable for those of us of moderate income now threatens to slip beyond our reach. Condo living, which for decades has drawn millions of out-of-staters to Florida’s warmth and coastal bounty, is increasingly too expensive to sustain, particularly for retirees.   Read the article…………………………….

Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, and Rep. Christine Hunshofsky, D-Parkland, filed a proposal (HB 393) on Tuesday aimed at expanding participation among condominium associations in the My Safe Florida Home program.  Current law requires unanimous votes of condominium unit owners to participate in the program.   Read the article…………………………….

A contentious dispute over community special assessments has led to a resident’s arrest on extortion charges.  Margate Police Department records, Gary Steinberg, 63, a resident of Margate’s Fiesta Townhomes community, was taken into custody on January 31 following an investigation into an email he sent demanding monetary compensation in exchange for withholding personal information about a Sunstate Management employee.     Read the article…………………………….

An agreement with cable and internet provider Spectrum is expected to produce nearly $3 million in revenue for the Suntree area spanning 10 years, the Suntree Master Homeowners Association Board of Directors explained in a January online notice to residents.   Read the article…………………………….

Condo owners including Remick asked the City Council to let their homeowners associations have the permits they need to trim vegetation on the dunes down to what has been allowed for decades. Permits have been held up waiting for owners to supply required information.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: During our recent condominium association board meeting, we received questions about how the number of board members impacts our effectiveness. Is having an odd number of members important to avoid tie votes? And, does having an even number, whether due to vacancies or not, create challenges for decision-making?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Florida condominium owners are begging for relief after a new building safety law passed in the aftermath of the deadly Surfside collapse burdened them with staggering fees—and one lawmaker is warning that it could trigger the “next wave of homeless people.”  The issue of condo safety has become a lightning rod in Florida since Senate Bill 4D was passed in 2022.    Read the article…………………………….

If the town finds a willing condominium that has enough room to host the staging area, Palm Beach could move the sand onto the beach one of two ways, he said.   The town could have trucks pick up the stockpiled sand at Phipps Ocean Park and have them dump it over the condominium’s seawall, after which another truck would collect the sand before placing it at the target location. Palm Beach could also stockpile the sand onto the beach via ...

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 their own camera up facing the pool.      Read the Q&A………………………………..

A new law has transformed the condominium market in Florida, forcing owners to change their financial plans. The laws have been prompting many owners to sell their condos now, because the bills have come due and they cannot afford to pay them.  Read the article…………………………….

Condo prices are declining in 92% of Florida’s housing markets, while single-family home prices are falling in 66% of Florida’s housing markets. Here’s why.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I currently sit on my Associations Board, we are considering changing the size of our Board, can we do this? And if so, how?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

There’s still a big unanswered question one week since two children and their mother died from a fire.  Friday, a fire adjuster at the Country Gardens condos updated News 6 reporter James Sparvero the cause of the fire is still under investigation.  “The exact cause, they’re not sure of yet,” John Schartrand of Strategic Claim Consultants said.    Read the article…………………………….

Power developer Al Adelson is courting the aging Portofino waterfront condominium in West Palm Beach with a $150 million offer that some owners call a life-changing windfall and others an unwanted eviction.  Adelson, who built the ultra-luxury Bristol condominium on the city’s Intracoastal Waterway, has touted Portofino’s North Flagler Drive location because it also sits directly on the water and could be razed and rebuilt to give more units ocean views.   Read the article…………………………….

Residents of a Sunrise condominium complex facing possible eviction due to structural concerns said they are relieved to have received an 11th-hour reprieve and they are now taking action to ensure long-term changes.  Read the article…………………………….

Q: Our association adopted a rule banning all smoking anywhere on the premises, including inside individual units, except for a small, designated area outside. The rule was passed by a vote at our annual membership meeting and passed. We have owned our home here for 25 years, and no one ever complained about my wife’s smoking. Can this rule be enforced to stop individuals from smoking in their homes?      Read the Q&A………………………………..

Condo takeovers increased in 2024 — a possible escape for owners who face mounting monthly fees and spiraling special assessments.  Condo buyouts or terminations need 80% of owners to agree to sell to a developer.  The Miami Herald spoke with three real estate experts who are at the forefront of these deals,    Read the article…………………………….

Special assessments and rising association dues continue to hammer condo owners and a group of residents in St. Petersburg are taking a stand.  “Insurance goes up every year,” said Diana Smith. “However, we don’t know what insurance is going to pay for.”    Read the article…………………………….

His condo was going through recertification and restoration like many are. Then, when the shutters on his unit were damaged, he was told he had to pay to replace them. Or does he? Let’s bring in Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser to find out.  Normally, when a viewer calls us about their condo building, it’s bad. But not Eduardo.     Read the article…………………………….

Today’s episode takes us further on that path as host Donna DiMaggio Berger sits down with Spencer Hennings, who brings firsthand knowledge as Florida’s former Condominium Ombudsman about the types of owner complaints he saw time and again while serving in that role. Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2020, Spencer served in this critical role until 2023, resolving thousands of condominium disputes, acting as the state’s liaison during the Miami-Dade Surfside condo collapse, and helping to draft impactful condominium ...

Developer Damac Properties is launching sales at an uber-luxury condominium building in Surfside, Florida, that will replace the collapsed Champlain Towers South, with units at the new project starting at $15 million, the company announced Tuesday.  Read the article…………………………….

A state senator has accused engineers hired by a homeowners association of causing unnecessary panic after inspection reports labeled several condo buildings in Sunrise as “unsafe,” nearly leading to evacuations.   Read the article…………………………….

Living in a community with an association requires abiding by the rules, obligations and restrictions found in its governing declaration, which is akin to a contract that is agreed upon by all prospective buyers prior to their becoming owners and members. Enforcing those provisions can represent a delicate balancing act for associations and their boards of directors, and taking legal action against owners should be considered only after all other reasonable enforcement measures have been exhausted.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida realtors are sounding the alarm on a growing issue: condo sales. A new report from the Florida Realtors Association finds condo sales in the state had their worst decline in 15 years.   Read the article…………………………….

Commissioners in Orange County will meet Tuesday to discuss a troubled condo complex. The Tymber Skan on the Lake condos has been plagued by public safety concerns for over 20 years.  Officials said only eight of the 49 original buildings remain at the complex near South Texas Avenue, east of Lake Catherine.     Read the article…………………………….

In a Jan. 27 letter to the Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association (HOA), Pines Park Investors LLC offered to sell the mobile home park to the residents for $75 million.  At that price, each of the 86 mobile homeowners would be responsible for $872,093.02.  “This has got to be a joke,” said one Pines resident, who asked not to be named.    Read the article…………………………….

Garrett Kenny drove along the street bearing his name, Kenny Boulevard, the main drag through Balmoral Resort Florida, the place he created.  Kenny’s pride of ownership showed as he pointed out elements of the vacation rental neighborhood. Speaking with an Irish brogue, he talked of plans to construct 186 condominium units, along with a hotel and a food court separate.   Read the article…………………………….

Slightly more than half the condo buildings in Boca Raton have complied with a strict new state law that requires condo associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs, say city officials.  Of the buildings organized in specific zones, more than half — or 54% — have complied with the recertification process, Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer told WLRN.     Read the article…………………………….

Q:  What is the penalty, if any, for a Florida condo association that refuses to adopt hurricane protection specifications? We have none and there is no interest in doing so. Seems to fall into “they won’t find out about us.”   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Many Quebec snowbirds living in Florida are listing their properties for sale, citing the high cost of living and a beneficial exchange rate due to the declining value of the Canadian dollar.  Jasmin Gosselin has been escaping Quebec’s freezing temperatures for over 20 years, seeking refuge in his Boynton Beach condo, nestled in the Sunshine State.   Read the article…………………………….

Days after residents in a Sunrise neighborhood were forced out of their homes after the city deemed some buildings to be unsafe, they are now allowed to come back.  According to the city, the Grenadier Lakes at Welleby engineer said the units that were identified as unsafe to live in were temporarily strengthened and are considered safe for residents to live in.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: Who is responsible for maintaining the land area around the more than 50 drainage ponds in our HOA? Some areas are preserves — who is responsible for those areas? Our HOA pays to maintain the ponds and cut the grass around the ponds.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

The Florida Legislature will convene a special session Monday at the behest of Governor Ron DeSantis, despite objections from legislative leaders. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez announced the session in a joint memo on Friday but offered no details on how lawmakers would address the Governor’s agenda.   Read the article…………………………….

If your condo building hasn’t turned in its Phase One safety inspection report, you could be facing some serious financial penalties in addition to the possible assessments if your building were to have structural issues.  As of Jan. 14, 91 buildings, with approximately 3,200 units, in Palm Beach County covered by the state’s new safety-inspection law,have failed to submit even initial reports, setting off alarm bells at a recent county commission meeting.   Read the article…………………………….

Insurance is getting harder to find and more expensive in much of the country. Just ask homeowners’ associations.  Mirroring trends in the single-family home market, insurers are boosting premiums or exiting the business of covering HOAs’ common property entirely, citing rising losses from extreme weather and aging buildings. The steep premium hikes usually end up passed on to individual owners in the form of higher monthly dues.    Read the article…………………………….

Two children are dead and their mother was seriously injured after a fire ravaged a Palm Bay condo on Friday.  Firefighters were at the scene on Sunny Brook Lane around 12:40 a.m., where officials say the flames had trapped a family inside.  Even though fire rescue was aggressive and able to contain the blaze to the original fire unit, officials said in an update Friday morning that there were fatalities, including two young children.    Read the article…………………………….

The number of condominium units for sale on the barrier island is rising faster than single-family home inventory as state condo regulations passed in 2022 and 2023 take effect.   Read the article…………………………….

Residents of one condominium complex in Sunrise could soon be forced out of their homes. Several buildings have been deemed unsafe and residents have been left blindsided.  Units in several buildings received this notice on the door, saying the building was deemed unsafe. Unless the structure is shored up by Monday at noon, residents will need to leave immediately.   Read the article…………………………….

Meadowbrook Golf Club owners in Alachua County are going deeper in debt as the course remains untouched and a homeowners association drainage committee brought up this as well as drainage issues to Alachua County leaders.    Read the article…………………………….

A fire broke out early Friday at a Palm Bay condo complex, where one unit was fully engulfed in flames, according to firefighters.   Read the article…………………………….

The proposal from Miami-Dade commissioners urges the legislature to create laws giving local governments more oversight over HOAs and county sheriffs the power to receive and investigate HOA complaints.   Read the article…………………………….

The Sunshine State’s condo market, which once offered residents affordable housing options, is on the verge of a crisis that could bring owners to their knees, according to experts.  A new law requiring regular inspection and costly maintenance for older condos has recently triggered an explosion of sales in South Florida, where owners are trying to offload their properties before they’re faced with a bill they can’t afford to pay.   Read the article…………………………….

Since last summer, ABC Action News has covered what many say is a collapse in Florida’s condo market.  Tuesday, we heard from retiree George Prybys, 84, who told us the price of affording paradise is becoming nearly impossible for condo owners.  “It’s gone up ridiculously. My HOA went from $400 to $900,” he said.     Read the article…………………………….

“But they need to mention the dredging. They need to dredge it. If they dredged it and kept dug out that and got rid of that soot, all the way up, and kept the creeks in the runoff clear and maintained that more often, we wouldn’t have these issues,” she continued.  The urgency of the situation was underscored by public comments from neighborhoods like Laurel Meadows, where 85 homes were inundated during Hurricane Debby.   Read the article…………………………….

In 2021, the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida, shocked the world. Initially framed as an engineering failure, the tragedy exposed a deeper issue: decades of deferred maintenance and a systemic unwillingness to address aging infrastructure in Florida’s condo market.  This isn’t just about one building or one law. For years, small cracks have widened into gaping chasms. For some condo associations, ignorance was bliss. But that bliss has come at an unbearable cost.    Read the ...

A new report says many Florida condo owners could be pushed into financial ruin as HOA fees soar to cover insurance costs and mandated building upgrades.  The Florida Policy Project paints a dire future for older condos in the state that according to new state laws may require major updates.   Read the article…………………………….

Major real estate shifts are occurring in South Florida. South Florida Agent Magazine revealed that Miami area home sales slid year-over-year to close 2024, and real estate analyst Peter Zalewski told the South Florida Business Journal earlier this week that condo prices in eastern South Florida are expected to revert to pre-2020 levels. Zalewski suggests a potential drop of up to 38% over the next few years, decreasing from $379 per square foot in late 2024 to about $231 per ...

A panel of experts — including engineers, accountants and attorneys — gave the Regulated Industries Committee an update on how the laws requiring inspections and adequate reserves have affected the condo industry  Bradley said she wanted to help “smooth the transition” for condominium associations to come into compliance with the laws, which many residents say are causing soaring costs.   Read the article…………………………….

South Florida condo owners are under pressure as new inspection regulations and rising insurance costs drive up monthly fees.    Video news report……………………..

Question: My HOA records both visuals and audio at the clubhouse and pool. A conversation between myself and another resident was recorded, which I found out after I hopped the pool fence when the gate was stuck. I was sent an HOA recording reminding me that there were two other gates that I could have used, and there was audio in the recording.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

In the wake of the Surfside collapse tragedy, Florida’s condominium landscape has been transformed, with new regulations and rising costs threatening the affordability of living in highrises across the state.   Listen to the podcast…………………………..

Should Palm Coast continue to have a homeowners association philosophy? The city’s new mayor, Mike Norris, weighed in on that question Jan. 17 on WNZF News Radio’s Free For All Friday.   Read the article…………………………….

Attorneys for the condo association sent a letter to residents in October that said flood water infiltration is dangerous, so remediation needs to start immediately. They said flood damage is covered by FEMA, which handles the cost of remediation and reconstruction but not damage to personal property.  Antonello said more than three months later, she hasn’t seen any work done to her place.    Read the article…………………………….

The entrance gates at Berry’s Ridge are wide open. This neighborhood is located just off County Road 15A.  A neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that since he bought his home nearly 20 years ago, the gates have never been closed.  “It was advertised as a closed, gated community with a security box that you needed to get in the gate,” he said.   Read the article…………………………….

The Florida Senate Regulated Industries Committee heard from a panel of experts, including a Tampa-based engineer, on how the recent condo laws are impacting the industry.   Read the article…………………………….

Palm Beach County Commissioners met on Tuesday agreeing it’s time to crack down on the early 200 condo buildings that are out of compliance…..During meeting staff reported that 568 buildings were required to submit phase 1 reports. That’s approximately 25,000 units….As of Jan. 7, a total of 113 condo buildings in Phase 1 had still not submitted their reports. Seventy-five in Phase 2 also had not submitted.     Read the article…………………………….

If you feed the ducks, we’re going to sue you. That’s the warning being carried out by the Boca Terrace Condominium Association against owner Lois Blake. The condo association says she is engaged in “illegal and nuisance behavior by feeding ducks and wildlife behind her unit and on the association property which is subject to the association’s declaration.”   Read the article…………………………….

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special session Monday to address a number of issues including the potential relief for condo owners.  WPBF 25 News sat down with Rebecca Giacobba, a realtor with LPT Realty. Giacobba said the need for relief is in high demand as insurance and condo association fees skyrocket.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida has made some progress on improving building safety, but there’s more lawmakers can and should do to address the problem while helping unit owners keep their property and avoid being taken advantage of by predatory contractors.  That was the gist of a meeting the Senate Regulated Industries Committee held Tuesday with a panel of condo industry experts.  The state’s condo crisis has been long festering, all agreed, and while legislative action in recent years has helped expose the underlying ...

A Democratic state senator from Tamarac plans to introduce legislation in Tallahassee aimed at easing the financial burden on condo owners, especially seniors, caused by a contentious new building safety law passed by the Florida Legislature in 2022.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida has made some progress on improving building safety, but there’s more lawmakers can do to address the problem while helping unit owners keep their property and avoid being taken advantage of by predatory contractors.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called for a special session Monday to address a number of issues including the potential relief for condo owners.  WPBF 25 News sat down with Rebecca Giacobba, a realtor with LPT Realty. Giacobba said the need for relief is in high demand as insurance and condo association fees skyrocket.   Read the article…………………………….

A Democratic state senator from Tamarac plans to introduce legislation in Tallahassee aimed at easing the financial burden on condo owners, especially seniors, caused by a contentious new building safety law passed by the Florida Legislature in 2022.  Read the article…………………………….

Several residents were forced out of their condominiums on Tuesday after flames ripped through their homes.  Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to the condo fire in the area of 640 Tennis Club Drive in Fort Lauderdale.  Fire crews said the fire erupted on the fourth floor of the condominium. Heavy fire and smoke were seen coming out of the fourth floor’s windows.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida lawmakers are signaling their willingness to revisit and potentially revise the state’s condominium safety laws, which have been criticized for imposing soaring costs on condo owners.  Senator Jennifer Bradley, Chairwoman of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, expressed a desire to “smooth the transition” for condominium associations struggling to comply with the laws passed in the wake of the tragic 2021 Surfside condo collapse.    Read the article…………………………….

One of the top Republicans who has worked on condominium laws said Tuesday that Florida’s condo crisis has been a long simmering problem and is not just the result of legislation passed in the aftermath of the 2021 Surfside building collapse that left 98 people dead.   Read the article…………………………….

Residents in Surfside are raising concerns about sinking buildings as construction on a new condominium gets underway.  Jennifer Albanesi, who lives next door to the construction site in a building identified as “sinking” by a University of Miami study, says the constant drilling has heightened her worries.    Read the article…………………………….

The deadline for Florida condominiums to perform a milestone inspection has come and gone.  Following the Surfside Condo collapse in 2021 that killed 98 people, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that mandated inspections of aging condos that are at least 30 years old.  But over 100 condos in unincorporated Palm Beach County haven’t completed those inspections, potentially putting lives at risk.    Read the article…………………………….

Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling the Legislature in for a special session later in January to address, among other issues, condominium reform.  In a proclamation issued Tuesday afternoon, the governor says that the session is meant to address “challenges to ensure that Florida residents can continue to afford to live in their homes.” (Jan. 27)    Read the article…………………………….

A new study finds more trouble among Florida’s robust condominium sector, with owners facing crippling financial demands and trying to offload their condos in a shaky market.  The Florida Policy Project, a nonpartisan research-focused organization launched by former Sen. Jeff Brandes, has found through its latest research project and analysis that condo listings among properties 30 years old or older are surging.   Read the article…………………………….

On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made calls for a special session in Tallahassee, with focuses on immigration and hurricane relief. But another topic lawmakers will tackle is condo relief.  In coastal communities like Daytona Beach Shores, condo owners up and down the coast say they have seen rising prices and insurance rates in the wake of the Surfside collapse in 2021.     Read the article…………………………….

In the wake of the Surfside condo collapse, residents said many of the reforms implemented could force them out of their homes.  It’s an issue that WPTV has reported on extensively in the last year.  Now, Gov. Ron DeSantis wants condo reform to be a part of a special session he wants to take place later this month.    Read the article…………………………….

Last spring, The Islander News printed a story with a headline that indicated that I was elected as the new president of the Key Biscayne Condominium Presidents Council (KBCPC). Many residents of Key Biscayne congratulated me for becoming the president of all the condominium associations in our community. I may be crazy, but not that crazy!  Read the article…………………………….

Q: What are the powers and duties of a condominium association in Florida regarding unit repair and reconstruction to treat mold after a hurricane?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling for a Special Session later this month, and sharp increases in condo costs are high on the list of issues he wants state lawmakers to address. The Legislature passed new requirements in 2022 for condo associations to prevent another Surfside collapse, including heightened assessment demands and increased reserve funding. In two subsequent Regular Sessions, lawmakers passed additional measures to fine-tune the changes.    Read the article…………………………….

South Florida commonly attracts homeowners who want glorious beach views and warm weather. But new state laws require condos to have sufficient cash reserves to cover any major repairs and conduct inspections on buildings three stories or higher — which is forcing more condo owners to sell their homes.  Read the article…………………………….

The Florida condo market is recalibrating, as changes to the Condo Act tank the market for 30-plus year old condos, creating uncertainty for the thousands of families who own them. But developers looking to buy them are facing their own uncertainty. The combination of the recalibration and legal uncertainties have stalled bulk sales which would provide a logical solution for many of these older projects and their owners.   Read the article…………………………….

In this latest issue of the Miami Condo Market Intelligence Report™, we examine the surging number of resale listings on the market which now represent more than 11 months of supply.  Read the article…………………………….

“Right now, 20 percent of homeowners in Florida have opted to self insure and remain uninsured,” said Divya Sangam, an insurance expert and spokeswoman with ValuePenguin, a Lending Tree research site that conducted a data analysis of the Florida insurance crisis.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: I am a director for a small residential community governed by an HOA in search of direction for making changes to association common areas. Chapter 720 does not mention requirements for common area changes. Our covenants are also silent on this matter.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

As state lawmakers prepare for the upcoming legislative session, addressing rising condo costs is among the top priorities on both sides of the aisle, regardless of whether a special session is called ahead of time.     Read the article…………………………….

An official is concerned about panhandlers asking for money in The Villages.  Community Development District 4 Supervisor Cliff Wiener said he is concerned about panhandlers at Mulberry Grove Plaza.  “I don’t like to see panhandlers in The Villages,” said Wiener, who is also the president of the Property Owners Association.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida lawmakers will try this year to find some relief for condo residents dealing with the soaring cost of fees to be in compliance with stricter inspection laws.  After the fatal collapse of the Surfside Condo building in 2021, lawmakers passed a bill mandating stringent structural inspections and increased financial reserves for repairs, escalating costs for condo owners.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida lawmakers will try this year to find some relief for condo residents dealing with the soaring cost of fees to be in compliance with stricter inspection laws. After the fatal collapse of the Surfside Condo building in 2021, lawmakers passed a bill mandating stringent structural inspections and increased financial reserves for repairs, escalating costs for condo owners. The State Senate Regulated Industries Committee will hold a discussion on Jan. 14 in Tallahassee on issues affecting condo owners and associations.  ...

A woman who admitted to pouring concrete into her neighborhood’s drainage system will have to pay Seminole County for its time, even though the problem has finally been fixed.  At a code enforcement hearing Thursday, the county confirmed repairs have been made in the Shadow Bay community. A special magistrate ordered the homeowner responsible for the damages to pay $1,264.64 for administrative costs.    Read the article…………………………….

A Senate committee next week will hold a panel discussion about issues affecting condominium owners and associations, as many residents grapple with increased costs.  The Senate Regulated Industries Committee will hold the discussion Jan. 14, according to a Senate calendar.   Read the article…………………………….

Pressure is mounting on Florida lawmakers to address the rising costs for condo owners. A special session of the legislature could potentially provide a solution, but currently, the Florida House, Senate, and governor cannot agree on the necessary actions.   Read the article…………………………….

It’s not just waterfront condo towers that face shocking maintenance increases. And it’s not just Century Village and its humble two-story buildings.  Senior citizens all over Florida are up against the crumbling wall, left to face unexpected structural repairs their fixed incomes can’t possibly accommodate.    Read the article…………………………….

Apparently, there are some people on the Country Club-Edgewater Village Association (HOA) who believe the new Florida House Bill 1203 to be a guideline, and not something our HOA must follow.  The bill, which passed during 2024, allows homeowners to park their non-commercial pickup trucks in their driveways without prohibition or fines levied by their HOA.   Read the article…………………………….

Governor Ron DeSantis said he believes a special session of the legislature is now needed to deal with the state’s “condo crisis.”  After a condo collapse in Surfside, new state laws went into effect requiring condo associations to have mandatory inspections and fix any structural problems that were discovered.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: I live in a villa which is attached to another villa, of which there are six on my street. The whole subdivision has attached villas which total about 190. All are single story with a garage. I have lived in the development for over 20 years and own my home free and clear with no mortgage.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

A fire broke out Monday afternoon on the balcony of a unit at a condominium tower along the Aventura waterfront.  Miami-Dade Fire Rescue dispatch records show the blaze broke out just after 3:30 at the 3030 Residences at 3030 NE 188th St.   Read the article…………………………….

Rising repair costs spurred by new Florida condominium laws are driving some South Florida homeowners to sell, including residents of Springbrook Gardens, a condo building on Fort Lauderdale Beach.  The Springbrook Gardens owners voted to sell their units after being unable to meet a $4.5 million repair bill to shore up the building’s foundation.    Read the article…………………………….

Are you facing a high condo assessment? Miami-Dade County runs a loan program to help with the cost.  The loans range from $3,000 to $50,000. But there are some rules and restrictions to get a loan.   Read the article…………………………….

If a condo in Florida does not undergo the required inspection, the condo association could face significant consequences including: difficulty obtaining insurance renewals, increased insurance premiums, potential legal action from owners, inability to sell units easily due to disclosure requirements, and may be forced to levy special assessments on owners to cover necessary repairs identified in the inspection if they are not completed, potentially leading to financial strain for residents;    Read the article…………………………….

Following the condo safety inspection deadline, Attorney Eric Glazer explains the penalties for associations that have yet to complete the inspections and repairs, per the law. He also takes a deeper dive into the overall law and whether he suspects any action from lawmakers during the legislative session.    Video news report……………………..

An 11-year-old boy is opening up and sharing his story one day after, he said, he was attacked by a dog in the hallway of a Deerfield Beach condominium.  Stephen Pierre spoke with 7News on Saturday after he was released from the hospital. He said Friday night’s attack at the Deerfield Palm Condominium happened unexpectedly.    Read the article…………………………….

New regulations for Florida condominium owners have gone into effect, requiring condo associations to maintain reserve funds specifically for structural repairs and maintenance.  At 1060 Brickell, residents face a $21 million assessment fee as a result of the new rules, with 25% of the fee due this past Wednesday.  Condo owner Evan Cohn must pay $45,000 to cover his share of the assessment.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: I live in a condominium that has 18 units, all under one roof. There are three different floor plans with different unit sizes.  I requested that we change how we collect assessments for our rising insurance costs by pro-rating them by the square footage of each unit, as now the smaller units are paying the same for insurance coverage as the two larger floor plans. This would obviously change the monthly fees for all the units.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

If the claims filed by Imperial Royale at Boca Pointe are true, Murray and Margalit Feit are not the sort of neighbors you want to be living near. The Imperial Royale At Boca Pointe Condominium Association is suing the Feits, claiming their behavior and actions are not only violating condominium rules, but affecting the way residents live their lives. The suit seeks not only financial damages, but a court order basically demanding that the Feits calm down.     Read the ...

The third-quarter report contains some good news for condominium owners. The average cost to cover a condo unit in Florida increased by just 1.3% for the second straight quarter — to $1,737 — after rising as high as 5.9% between the first and second quarters of 2023.       Read the article…………………………….

Special assessments and mandatory repairs are forcing many South Florida condo owners to cough up thousands for unexpected expenses.  It’s a reality resulting in some condo owners choosing to sell their buildings.  Residents at the Springbrook Gardens Condo building in Fort Lauderdale have made the decision to sell instead of making costly repairs, according to condo owner Warren Sackler.       Read the article…………………………….

Floridians burdened by rising homeowners association (HOA) fees and skyrocketing insurance costs could now get some relief by applying for the state’s homestead exemption, a tax benefit which can help them save up to $50,000 on the taxable value of their properties.   Read the article…………………………….

Along Red Bird Court in Seminole, there’s about two acres of grassy land full of invasive Brazilian pepper trees and a dock leading into the Gulf of Mexico.  For years, one neighbor in the quiet subdivision controlled the vacant property. But when Michael Scurry moved in next door and tried to trim some of the trees, all hell broke loose.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida condominium owners are looking at higher costs from condo associations in the new year, a consequence of a safety law passed by state lawmakers in 2022.  It requires associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs and to conduct a survey of reserves every decade. Because of the law, older condos — found largely in South Florida, according to state records — are facing hefty increases to association payments to fund the reserves and repair costs.    Read the ...

The big issue with condo regulations that Florida lawmakers will look at this year pits two realities against each other. One is the fact that condo buildings, especially ones built more than 30 years, require expensive and consistent maintenance. The other is that many people who own condos in the Sunshine State are on limited and fixed incomes, making paying for the upgrades a big obstacle.    Read the article…………………………….

Demand remains strong for a county loan program dedicated to condo owners facing high special assessments. The only challenge? It’s so popular, the money is running out.  The Condominium Special Assessment Program launched in late 2022, a year after the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside. The program is dedicated to those earning less than 140% of the area median income (about $79,000), and the cap ranges depending on the number of people in a household. For instance, a ...

What do a luxury British carmaker, Italian fashion house and Michelin-starred French chef have in common in South Florida? They are among the more than a dozen luxury brands collaborating with developers to build luxury condominiums with features including personalized furniture, car elevators and private restaurants to lure more ultra-rich buyers to greater Miami.  Read the article…………………………….

After more than 20 years of calling Madeira Beach home, Margaret and Pat Disibio’s condo is now a shell of itself, ravaged by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge.  Three months after the flood, their home is still in disrepair as they are among thousands across Pinellas County waiting on permits and the go-ahead to begin to rebuild.    Read the article…………………………….

Video showed how smoke billowed from a downtown Miami high-rise on Tuesday morning as emergency crews responded to an apparent fire at the scene.  Miami police said they were on scene in the area of South 3rd Street and South Miami Avenue assisting Miami Fire Rescue with traffic control as they worked the “apparent fire.”    Read the article…………………………….

If you are relatively new to life in a homeowners association, know this: your HOA can (and likely will) cite you for setting of fireworks on New Year’s in your community. If there are rules that prohibit fireworks where you live, take it for what it’s worth: you will have no recourse if you receive a fine, citation, or sanction from the governing body of your community.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida condominium owners are looking at higher costs from condo associations in the new year, a consequence of a safety law passed by state lawmakers in 2022.  It requires associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs and to conduct a survey of reserves every decade. Because of the law, older condos – found largely in South Florida, according to state records – are facing hefty increases to association payments to fund the reserves and repair costs.  Read the article…………………………….

Condo buildings have been under greater scrutiny in Florida in the wake of the Surfside condo collapse, and a major deadline is looming for condo associations that could see fees skyrocket for many homeowners.  Since the collapse of Champlain Towers South more than three years ago, a new law requires condo associations to submit spending plans for repairs by Dec. 31.   Read the article…………………………….

A man’s hit-and-run hoax fell flat at Palm Beach Gardens HOA meeting when witnesses started talking and his evidence betrayed him.  At around 6 p.m. Sunday, officers with the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department (PBPD) were dispatched to a report of an assault with a car following an HOA meeting at a townhome off Miramar Lane, near the Gardens Mall.    Read the article…………………………….

In the 91-page lawsuit, the developers known as Triumph Oaks detailed the one-year fight to develop the former golf course in Ormond Beach.  The developers seeking to turn the former Tomoka Oaks golf course into a 300-house gated community are suing Ormond Beach after the city rejected its plans earlier this year.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s ongoing condo crisis is not only affecting older residents on fixed incomes, but also young professionals in Palm Beach County who are feeling the financial strain and are weighing up whether they can afford to stay in their units or will be forced to sell.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s new legislative leaders were sworn in last month, and addressing the insurance crisis seems to be at the top of their minds. “I want to make sure that impacted Floridians and insurance companies hear me loudly and clearly — we are watching,” Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, told senators last month.  “(Floridians) don’t want our state’s insurance laws to be written by insurance companies,”   Read the article…………………………….

Q: At the recent annual meeting of our condominium association, the president asked at the end of the meeting if there was any “new business.” I raised my hand and made a motion to appoint a committee to audit the insurance income and expenditures from Hurricane Ian. The president told me she would take it under advisement and get back to me. I said the owners had the right to vote on my motion and my tone may have been ...

Q: My condominium association board recently implemented a “no-smoking” policy after receiving numerous complaints about second-hand smoke. Several residents continue to smoke in their unit and on their balcony, insisting they have the right to do so in their own home. The situation is becoming increasingly contentious. While some residents support the policy, others are starting to question whether it is worth the ongoing conflict. What are your thoughts?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Safety changes set to take effect in Florida will cause costs to go up for many condo owners.   Video news report……………………..

The president of the SECO Energy Board of Trustees will speak to the Property Owners Association about increases in pole rental rates which angered many officials in The Villages…..Earlier this year, community development district supervisors in The Villages were outraged when SECO suddenly announced pole rental rate hikes that would have increased by hundreds of thousands of dollars.   Read the article…………………………….

There are just a few days remaining for condos to get rigid inspections wrapped up to comply with the new condo safety law.  It targets condos that may have bypassed structural repairs and waived the fees to cover the cost of repairs over several years.  “This is something that was long overdue,” said Eric Glazer, a board-certified attorney specializing in condo law. “In the state of Florida, we were allowing buildings to go unchecked and unrepaired.”    Read the article…………………………….

Question: Just over a year ago I moved into a 55-and-over community. I just discovered in their HOA rules that the developer reserves the right to sell a limited number of homes to those under 55, but in accordance with Housing for Older Persons rules.  We already allow that a second person living in the house can be under 55. This was mainly for the benefit of a spouse. I am concerned that with a housing slowdown they might be ...

The lawsuit — filed on Thursday by Tarina Akbari with co-counsel from the Haggard Law Firm and Ben Crump Law — demands a jury trial for damages in excess of $50,000 in Rakim Akbari’s death, stating the 3-year-old drowned in a retention pond at Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas.  The suit names Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, Vistana Management, Inc., Vistana Development, Inc. and Vistana Spa Condominium Association, Inc. as defendants.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida condominium owners are bracing for higher costs in 2025 as new safety regulations take effect, with associations required to bolster reserves and conduct extensive structural assessments. The so-called structural integrity reserve studies are due by Dec. 31 and then again every 10 years. The law, passed in response to the 2021 collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, is expected to significantly increase condo fees, particularly for older buildings in South Florida.   Read the article…………………………….

Late in the evening on December 26, 2024, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Texas Top Cop v. Garland vacated its ruling granting the United States’ Motion for a Temporary Stay pending appeal on the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act.    Read the article…………………………….

Defining aggrieved party status under Florida law and local ordinance requires interpretation of multiple shades of gray.  And usually, that meaning depends on which side of the issue is arguing the point.   Read the article…………………………….

Some Florida condo owners fear new regulations designed to protect against a new condo collapse will not go far enough to ensure safety   Video news report……………………..

Q: What is the law on neighbors smoking so much marijuana outside their home that the smell comes into your own garage and home when you come in and out. Is that governed by the HOA?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

On December 26, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit reversed its own prior ruling, and reinstated an injunction previously issued by a lower Federal Court in Texas. This injunction blocks the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its reporting rules, which require the filing of Beneficial Owner Information by January 1, 2025.   Read the article…………………………….

The Orange County Neighborhood Services division is committed to fostering strong, engaged and informed communities. One of the most impactful ways they achieve this is through our partnership with the City of Orlando for the Community Connections Workshop Series. This initiative reflects our shared goal of providing Orlando’s residents with valuable resources, information, and tools to enhance their neighborhoods and quality of life.   Read the article…………………………….

Residents of the Los Sueños de Hialeah residential complex have begun efforts to remove members of the condominium’s board of directors, accusing them of a lack of transparency in finances, El Nuevo Herald reports.  The neighbors, said Leonardo Vidal, one of the residents, are seeking to remove Arelys López from office, who for almost a decade has served as president of the Los Sueños Homeowners Association.    Read the article…………………………….

Now, that preliminary injunction has been negated and the filing requirements are once again in effect. Since the Motion to Stay was granted, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) has provided additional guidance concerning the filing requirements which includes a new deadline for reporting companies existing before January 1, 2024, to file their initial Beneficial Ownership Information Report (“BOIR”). The new national deadline to file BOIR is January 13, 2025.     Read the article…………………………….

Inflation showed signs of easing in 2024 after reaching record levels just two years ago. The rate of price increases finally slowing, which is why after 11 consecutive rate hikes, the Federal Reserve changed course this year and did several rate cuts.  But your budget is probably still reeling from the reality that a lower inflation rate doesn’t mean we’re paying less.     Read the article…………………………….

Florida condominium owners are looking at higher costs from condo associations in the new year, a consequence of a safety law passed by state lawmakers in 2022.   It requires associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs and to conduct a survey of reserves every decade. Because of the law, older condos — found largely in South Florida, according to state records — are facing hefty increases to association payments to fund the reserves and repair costs.      ...

When Miguel Zablah bought his five-bedroom home in Miami’s leafy Shenandoah neighborhood in June of 2020, he said he paid $7,000 a year for homeowner’s insurance.  The house, built in 1923, sits on high ground and has survived a century of famously volatile South Florida weather. But in just four short years, Zablah said his homeowner’s insurance premium has more than doubled to $15,000 a year. Quotes for next year’s premiums are looking even worse.     Read the article…………………………….

Virtually all of the local multi-story buildings that have already filed their newly required inspection reports have proven to be safe, but some homeowners associations (HOAs) say the process mandated by the law unfairly penalizes condo and co-op owners and may even threaten some with loss of their homes because of crushing added costs.   Read the article…………………………….

Developers say the South Florida housing market is better-positioned now to offer condos. Condo conversions also are planned in cities such as Hollywood and Dania Beach. With the potential for lower mortgage rates, some would-be homeowners may find a better opportunity to buy.    Read the article…………………………….

A group of Boynton Beach condo owners is pushing back on plans for a $8 million safety repair project, alleging that its board has so mismanaged the work that a court-appointed receiver needs to take control of the complex.  At issue is a concrete restoration project at Seagate of Gulfstream, a 50-year-old, five-building community on the Intracoastal Waterway in Boynton Beach that consists of 360 condominiums. Each of the buildings is four stories.     Read the article…………………………….

Consumer Investigator Alina Machado looks into the impact of condo reforms and challenges South Florida owners are facing.   Video news report……………………..

The plan to tear down the Beach Sound condominiums on Jupiter Island and replace it with a bigger building may have hit a roadblock.  One of the 12 owners has refused to agree to terminate Beach Sound’s property-owners association. According to that condo owners’ lawyer, that termination is needed for the sale of the building to take place — and that under state law, their refusal is enough to scuttle the deal.   Read the article…………………………….

Condo owners across South Florida have a mixed understanding of the laws passed after the deadly Surfside condo collapse, including deadlines for reserve studies and inspections — and exemptions.  After Champlain Towers South collapsed overnight in June 2021, killing 98 people, the Florida Legislature took action and passed Senate Bill 4D in 2022 and Senate Bill 154 in 2023.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: My condominium association board recently implemented a “no-smoking” policy after receiving numerous complaints about second-hand smoke. Several residents continue to smoke in their unit and on their balcony, insisting they have the right to do so in their own home. The situation is becoming increasingly contentious. While some residents support the policy, others are starting to question whether it is worth the ongoing conflict. What are your thoughts?     Read the Q&A………………………………..

Newscast interview with Florida state legislator Chip LaMarca.  Video news report……………………..

More than two years after landfall, Hurricane Ian property insurance disputes are now hitting the courts and the first to be heard in the state’s hardest-hit county clashed over a point that could be key in damage disputes from this year’s set of storms.  Is the source of drenching damage the result of wind or water?   Read the article…………………………….

Question: I am part of a five-member decorating committee that volunteered to do our holiday decorations for this year. We, on the decorating committee, decided that we would prefer to follow the fair housing guidelines and keep our common areas in a secular theme, as opposed to a religious theme, and have only a Christmas tree and menorah.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

If something doesn’t change in early 2025, experts are concerned the crashing condo market in Florida will turn into a condo Ice Age.  New laws passed in the wake of the Surfside tragedy are making condominiums incredibly expensive: There has been a surge in units being put up for sale and just sitting there– because buyers are nervous about skyrocketing fees and assessments in older buildings.     Read the article…………………………….

Condo owners in Florida have flooded the market with new inventory in 2024 in hopes of unloading their condos due to rising costs. Florida lawmakers enacted legislation following the catastrophic collapse of the Champlain Towers condominium building in Surfside in 2021. The devastating event in South Florida’s Miami-Dade County killed 98 people when the south tower suddenly crumpled in one of the deadliest building collapses in U.S. history. To prevent similar disasters, condos of a certain age are required to ...

With a December 31 deadline looming, hundreds of condo associations in unincorporated Palm Beach County have failed to register with the state and submit required reports to comply with a new milestone inspection law, according to Palm Beach County Building Official Doug Wise.    Read the article…………………………….

Senior residents at a Tamarac condo community are expressing frustration after the building’s elevator has been out of service for weeks, making mobility challenging for many.  The sign on the elevator, reading “Elevator Out of Service,” is the stone-cold greeting for dozens of senior citizens at a building at the Bermuda Club condominium complex, located near Commercial Boulevard and Northwest 64th Avenue.    Read the article…………………………….

A neighborhood association is suing the city of Pompano Beach in an effort to block further development at the Palm-Aire Country Club.  According to the 141-page lawsuit, filed in November by the Palm-Aire Country Club Condominium Association No. 8 and two area homeowners, the city can no longer approve any new developments in the Palm-Aire area because the 1,750-acre community reached its density cap of 10,631 residential units long ago.     Read the article…………………………….

Residents of the Swan Lake Homeowner’s Association recently learned a sad fact of life about the animal world. On Nov. 30, a pair of beautiful, 1-year-old black swans its residents had raised funds to purchase were finally delivered.  “We’d been trying for a couple of years and finally found a guy in Parrish to get them from,” said HOA President Betty Rybczynski. “Although we had some misgivings about getting the swans, we decided to go forward with the purchase since so ...

The legal problems for an ex-condo board president are piling up. He’s now being sued by his own former attorney’s law firm. 7’s Heather Walker has the update in tonight’s 7 Investigates.  Things are quieter at Turnberry on the Green in Aventura. But two months ago, it was much different.  The condo board president, Gregori Arzumanov, was arrested and walked out of the lobby in handcuffs. The luxury high-rise was making headlines for all the wrong reasons.    Read the article…………………………….

More than two years after Hurricane Ian caused extensive damage to the Lovers Key Beach Club, the residents are still trying to return to normal.  But the gates, which would normally protect residents, remain wide open.    Read the article…………………………….

RV owners protested outside Bosshardt Property Management on Monday and Tuesday afternoon.  Resident Bonnie Norris said when real estate entrepreneur Lincoln J. Hines company purchased the lots, they weren’t paying their dues, and they believe this is what led owners’ dues to double.  “We’re protesting because the bulk buyer doesn’t pay any dues. We started this about a year and a half ago fighting this.” said Norris.     Read the article…………………………….

Two months after hurricanes Helene and Milton, residents of the condominium community are still unable to live in their units, but the board said the recovery effort is turning a corner.   Read the article…………………………….

“The discovery of the extent of subsidence hotspots along the South Florida coastline was unexpected,” Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani, the lead author, said in a statement. “The study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for these structures.”  It’s not uncommon for buildings to sink a little during and soon after construction, but the scientists called their discovery surprising because some of the changes took place several years later.      Read the article…………………………….

Q: I have a question on people moving into a “55 Plus Park” at age 55 or older. Can I later give the home to a younger relative with children?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

A deadline for Florida condominium inspections is quickly approaching.  After the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, Florida in 2021, lawmakers passed a series of new regulations for condo buildings. One of those requires most condo buildings to get a visual structural inspection by Dec. 31.    Read the article…………………………….

When retirees Becky and James Turner moved into Parkview at Lakeshore six years ago, they hoped they had found their dream: A home they could enjoy in their twilight years, then pass on to one or more of their four children and 11 grandchildren.  It hasn’t turned out that way, and they blame the poor management and escalating fees on the elected board that oversees their private community. Their annual charge has skyrocketed from $2,800 in 2021 to $4,650 this ...

Two Florida lawmakers blame insurance companies — not new state law — for helping to fuel a condo crisis that has hit owners with rising fees and assessments in high-rise buildings.  State Sens. Jason Pizzo and Jennifer Bradley said the insurance industry is contributing to the higher costs for condo owners. The biggest issue? The cost increases for commercial condo association policies, what coverage associations rely on for shared structures, including the roof.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: A group of fellow residents and I have two related issues, and we would appreciate your guidance.  First, two months ago, our HOA board drafted three proposed amendments to our covenants. They enlisted the assistance of the HOA attorney to develop the language. The three amendments were presented to members in a meeting, with distinct individual documentation and verbal descriptions. Later, a meeting was properly noticed to assemble an electronic and in-person vote for these amendments.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Dozens of luxury beachfront condos and hotels in Surfside, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach and Sunny Isles are sinking into the ground at rates that were “unexpected,” with nearly 70 percent of the buildings in northern and central Sunny Isles affected, research by the University of Miami found.     Read the article…………………………….

The clock is ticking for condominiums across Florida as the deadline to perform building assessments on older properties is approaching.  This is an issue that WPTV has been closely following amid the state’s coverage collapse. Following the Surfside condo collapse in 2021 that killed 98 people, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that mandated inspections of aging condos that are at least 30 years old. The Dec. 31 deadline is already costing some condo associations thousands — if not millions — of ...

Residents at a local condo complex are grappling with skyrocketing HOA fees, with some seeing their monthly costs increase from $400 to more than $2,000 in just a few years.    Read the article…………………………….

….The president of the homeowner’s association told NBC6 on Wednesday that a rat bit a wire last month, causing the power to go out.  “We have had to abide and wait for Miami-Dade permitting and FPL to completely disconnect the power before we could have our electrician do the needed work,” he said in a statement.    Read the article…………………………….

Wild hogs have been wreaking havoc in an Orange County neighborhood in Union Park, and the Homeowner’s Association is working to protect homeowners and children.  This issue is not new to the area. Wild hogs were spotted in Oviedo a few weeks ago and in Sanford around this time last year.     Read the article…………………………….

As many in Florida are learning, the condo living world is dramatically changing. Structural inspections and reserve studies will directly impact property values, financing options, and quality of life. And with government-mandated safety deadlines and assessments on the horizon, staying informed and understanding key terms is crucial.      Read the article…………………………….

Seven owners in Doral Isles went to bed Thursday thinking they had won election to the community association board, only to learn a few hours later 128 mistakenly uncounted votes from people who could not attend the meeting but voted by proxy flipped the results     Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s condominium market is on the verge of its most challenging period since the 2008 financial crisis, as legislation designed to improve the safety of the state’s multifamily housing stock drives buyers out of the market and creates chaos for sellers.   Read the article…………………………….

There are a lot of things that concern John Connell about Heritage Circle, the community he has lived in for 20 years.  But the final straw, and the one that brought him to The New Pelican, is the lack of mail delivery, a situation he has coped with for eight months.   Read the article…………………………….

Tamarac is expected to complete its controversial purchase of the Shaker Village Clubhouse property in the coming weeks, city officials said Wednesday.  The remains of the hurricane-damaged structure, built in the 1970s, are expected to be torn down to make way for a city-run community center at the 350-plus unit condominium community off Commercial Boulevard.    Read the article…………………………….

It’s been more than four months since residents were forced out of their homes at the Villa Del Sol Condos in Martin County, after an inspection found three of the buildings were unsafe.  Now condo owners are deciding when they should begin paying for the repairs. Christine Chico is a resident on the property and spoke to WPTV’s Tyler Hatfield about how the past four months have been.   Read the article…………………………….

The ringleader of a scheme to take control of Las Vegas homeowners associations from 2003 to 2009 is among the 1,499 people who had their sentences commuted by President Joe Biden on Thursday.   Read the article…………………………….

The Coconut Creek woman who has been sued for defamation by the city’s vice mayor filed paperwork Tuesday to run against her in next year’s municipal elections.  Philippa Sklaar completed the initial paperwork to open a campaign account and accept campaign contributions for the 2025 election, according to city officials.  She signed up to run against Jackie Railey, who also serves as president of the Wynmoor Community Council, the master homeowners association of Wynmoor Village, a community with about 9,000 ...

Florida’s Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by the Boca View Condominium Association of its loss in an October 2022 trial over a unit owner’s right to see the association’s financial records.  But other issues remain to be decided, potentially extending what has become a long and expensive series of fights over record requests at the 72-unit complex, located near the beach in Boca Raton.    Read the article…………………………….

While Florida’s shaky property insurance market is showing signs of stabilizing, home and condo owners across the state are still feeling the pinch from some of the priciest premiums in the nation.  More and more property owners in the state are going “bare” and foregoing home insurance altogether, opting to self-insure rather than take out a policy, while experts warn of the risks that come with this “troubling” trend.    Read the article…………………………….

This week’s episode of Take It To The Board explores a topic that resonates deeply with many community association boards: the impact rentals have on a community and how to balance an owner’s desire to lease out his or her unit with the association’s desire to foster a stable and invested resident population,    Listen to the podcast…………………………..

There is relief in the Shadowbay community in Longwood after a construction crew on Tuesday morning removed the stormwater pipe clogged with concrete.  “It has been period of great unrest, turmoil,” Shadowbay resident Kerry Vanhorn told WESH 2 News.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by the Boca View Condominium Association of its loss in an October 2022 trial over a unit owner’s right to see the association’s financial records.  But other issues remain to be decided, potentially extending what has become a long and expensive series of fights over record requests at the 72-unit complex, located near the beach in Boca Raton.   Read the article…………………………….

ATTOM’s Quarter 3 2024 Housing Market Impact Risk Report, published on Friday, showed some of Florida has joined the list of places that are home to the most at-risk counties. The report follows a string of warnings about Florida’s real estate market.   Read the article…………………………….

After the deadly Florida condominium collapse in Surfside back in 2021, state lawmakers required condos that are at least 30 years old to do inspections, make repairs and gather reserve funds for future repairs. CNBC’s Diana Olick joins ‘Squawk Box’ to discuss the impending ‘condo cliff’ in Florida.   Video news report……………………..

Q: Our board is seeking clarification on the “single family” use restriction stated in our declaration of condominium. The term is not clearly defined in our documents, and we would like guidance on how to interpret this clause when evaluating our potential sales.     Read the Q&A………………………………..

I can empathize with Herald-Tribune columnist Carrie Seidman over her post-hurricane miseries.  I lived through a similar experience post-Hurricane Katrina: 8 feet of water in my home, roof damage, vandalism, etc. (“I bought a Sarasota condo to simplify my life. It hasn’t. At all,” Dec. 6).Our homeowners association was torn asunder. The lucky residents were bought out by the government. The unlucky ones sold up very cheaply.    Read the article…………………………….

Coral Springs Police are investigating allegations involving the Ramblewood East Condominium Association board following years of complaints from residents alleging mismanagement at the property, officials said.  Toward the end of Wednesday’s city commission meeting, Coral Springs City Attorney John Hearn said he was going to “address the homeowner’s association situation” at the sprawling, 1,120-unit condo community on University Drive after several angry residents voiced their concerns.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: Our HOA has stated that we can only use a trainer that is affiliated with their chosen company. My wife has been using a trainer who worked for a previous company. She contracts directly through the trainer and wishes to continue training with this individual.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Owners in one Hollywood condo community are asking state lawmakers for help after learning of a nearly $60 million special assessment just a year or two after going through extensive structural repairs.  State Senators Jason Pizzo and Jennifer Bradley came to The Summit condo Friday and had some questions of their own about some of the proposed projects.   Read the article…………………………….

Since the collapse of the Champlain Towers South three years ago, Florida has been scrambling to prevent another tragedy, instituting new laws and regulations to ensure condo building safety.  With critical deadlines coming at the end of this year, condo owners are facing dramatically and unexpected increased costs and the potential of having to leave their homes — but indecision from the Third District Court of Appeal over a key case is creating a market standstill, and threatening the homes ...

The clock is ticking for condominiums across Florida as the deadline to perform building assessments on older properties is approaching.    Video news report……………………..

When I reached the difficult decision to sell my beloved cottage on Lido Key two years ago due to the encroachment of “hotel houses” on all sides, I was persuaded that moving to a condominium – smaller and with no yard to maintain – would simplify my life and leave me more time for the things I love.  Read the article…………………………….

The clock is ticking for condominiums across Florida as the deadline to perform building assessments on older properties is approaching.  Following the Surfside condo collapse in 2021 that killed 98 people, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that mandated inspections of aging condos that are at least 30 years old.  The Dec. 31 deadline is already costing some condo associations thousands — if not millions — of dollars in fees.     Read the article…………………………….

Igor Zorin, a former Russian government official, and Trump Palace 5507, represented by David E. Wolff with Wolff Law, filed a suit in Miami Dade Circuit Court against Svyatoslav Mangushev, a real estate investor with ties to Russian intelligence forces…….He said that if he failed to pay the full balance of $2.3 million in cash by that date, Zorin would be released from any obligation to sell Trump Palace 5507 to Mangushev.     Read the article…………………………….

The clock is ticking for condominiums across Florida as the deadline to perform building assessments on older properties is approaching.  Following the Surfside condo collapse in 2021 that killed 98 people, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that mandated inspections of aging condos that are at least 30 years old.    Read the article…………………………….

Experts and state senators from both parties gathered to tackle rising costs — but warned there is no silver bullet. Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo underlined that owners could shoulder some of the blame for the state of affairs.   Read the article…………………………….

The condo conundrum continues as the December 31st inspection deadline is only a few weeks away. State lawmakers promise action on the issue next session, but the clock is ticking.  State leaders at the capitol in Tallahassee urge patience, while experts say owners have been ignoring maintenance of their own properties for years and need to face accountability.    Read the article…………………………….

The allure of Florida’s coastline is undeniable.  For many, owning a beachside condo represents the American dream — mornings filled with the sounds of the ocean, picturesque views of palm trees and pristine sands, and the serene beauty of moonlit waves.  However, for a growing number of Floridians, this dream is turning into a financial nightmare   Read the article…………………………….

A Coconut Grove condo owner is expressing frustration after his association approved a $7.1 million special assessment, leaving him responsible for more than $153,000.  John DuBois, who has owned a villa at The Cloisters on the Bay for over 20 years, says he was blindsided by the high cost, which he must pay within two weeks.   Read the article…………………………….

A handful of residents of the Plantation gated community on St. George Island who own property along the Gulf of Mexico are suing their homeowners association in a case that could lead to greater restrictions on who can use portions of the beachfront behind their homes.   Read the article…………………………….

December is here and at the end of this month, an important deadline hits: Florida condominiums built before 1992 will be out of time to complete a milestone inspection of their structural integrity.  They also need to provide a complete accounting of their cash reserves.  All of this comes in response to the tragedy in Surfside that claimed 98 lives back in 2021.    Read the article…………………………….

Crews have started removing concrete from a storm drain in Longwood’s Shadowbay community on Wednesday after residents say the plug caused flooding for months.  “It was bad, we couldn’t get out; there were some people who got stalled out and got stuck in the high water,” homeowner Chris Reichert said.   Read the article…………………………….

A new Florida law threatens to sharply increase fees in older condominium buildings, and some industry professionals fear the reverberations could hurt sales, prices and existing owners.  The state legislature requires aging condo buildings at least three stories tall to have engineering safety inspections completed as well as studies that estimate what funding reserves are needed for maintenance and repairs by Dec. 31. Boards must start collecting the necessary reserves and to get the inspections every 10 years.   Read the ...

You wouldn’t know it from the broken security gate and weather-worn buildings, but at one time, the Grande Oasis condominium in Carrollwood was “a garden of Eden,” said resident Etty Segal.  “Not anymore.”  Like Adam and Eve, she and about 70 other owners may soon be forced out by a Florida law that gives one company power to seize the entire property.   Read the article…………………………….

The U.S. Coalition for Association Reform (USCFAR) is advocating for significant changes to safeguard property owners in homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and condominium communities, citing decades of systemic issues stemming from backroom deals between developers and municipalities.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I recently read your article about the recent amendments to the statute on fining in homeowners’ associations and have a question. Does the 14-day notice need to be sent by certified mail?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Florida lawmakers have one job over the next few months: Fix the housing crisis.  They’ve distracted the public with anti-‘woke’ nonsense, retooled public schools and universities into propaganda machines and re-jiggered election laws to cement their place in power, constitution be damned. But they’ve done nothing substantive to address the crisis of housing affordability, and they’re running out of fresh distractions.    Read the article…………………………….

In the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida’s housing crisis has continued to intensify — and may have reached a boiling point. These devastating natural disasters are increasing property insurance costs and upkeep on older buildings. As our state grapples with a surge in property damage and a fragile condo market, both the immediate and long-term impacts of these storms underscore the need for decisive action.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: My wife and I have resided in an over-55 condominium for more than 20 years. There are five similar buildings each with four floors and eight condominiums per floor. Each building has one elevator that services the thirty-two owners. Many of us have mobility limitation — e.g. walkers, wheelchairs and other physical limitations that prohibit the safe use of the four flights of stairs.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Living near homes or apartments that provide short-term rental services through companies like Airbnb and Vrbo means you never know who your temporary neighbors might be.  This week, residents at the Kingston Shores Condominiums at 5500 Ocean Shore Blvd. in Ormond-by-the-Sea had the worst of surprises when they were evacuated after a 56-year-old man opened fire at other residents and condo units from the Airbnb authorities said he was renting.    Read the article…………………………….

A destructive hurricane season has dealt a blow to Florida’s housing market, which was already struggling with surging homeowners’ association costs and a home insurance crisis.  In October, the five metropolitan areas nationwide with the biggest year-over-year drops in pending home sales were all located in the Sunshine State, according to a new report from real-estate site Redfin.     Read the article…………………………….

The deadline for associations to receive their completed structural reserve studies is Dec. 31. Across the state, condo owners and their associations are going to soon be waking up to the reality that their financial situation is more tenuous than previously believed. The condo market in Florida is set to shift dramatically and condo owners need to act quickly to ensure the tides don’t turn too far against them.   Read the article…………………………….

Hurricane Milton was barreling toward William Fulford’s front door. The mayor of nearby Tampa, Florida, was pleading on television for area residents to leave or die. Still, Fulford, a 76-year-old retired homebuilder, was staying put.  “A lot of people would say I’m crazy,” Fulford told Business Insider by phone on October 8, as the storm gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico. “But my house is great.”   Read the article…………………………….

If you live in a Florida condo, you may be facing a steep increase to your homeowner’s association fees this year.  A Redfin analysis from August found that HOA dues have risen sharply, with three Florida metro areas experiencing increases that more than double the fee hikes in other cities nationwide.  This is having a negative impact on the condo market. Some owners are now even being forced to choose between selling for less or staying in a home where ...

When bullets started hitting his home early Thursday, Sergio Dias and his family hid indoors after hearing gunshot after gunshot.  Dias lives in a condo across from the one where Joseph DiFusco, 56, of Enfield, Connecticut, started shooting and targeting his neighbors’ units at the Kingston Shores Condos in Ormond-by-the-Sea around 6:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.     Read the article…………………………….

Since the tragedy in Surfside in June 2021, when 98 people died in a condo building collapse, the CBS12 News I-Team has been reporting on the changes in Florida law about condo safety, inspections, and sometimes staggeringly large assessments required of residents for urgently needed repairs.  And now the countdown to the condo deadline is on.     Read the article…………………………….

A pack of wild boars is wreaking havoc in an Orlando community, prompting warnings from the local homeowners association and leaving residents fearful.  The feral hogs have been spotted at Atwater Park in the Andover Lakes neighborhood, tearing up grass, leaving waste behind, and causing residents to avoid the area at night.    Read the article…………………………….

Deadlines are looming for hundreds of thousands of South Florida condominium owners. Skyrocketing association fees, a result of the 2021 Surfside collapse, are about to come due.   Read the article…………………………….

Condo residents could soon get hit in the wallet, if they haven’t already. Following the Surfside building collapse three years ago, the deadline is fast approaching for condos to have inspections done to determine whether the condo building needs repairs    Read the article…………………………….

A $21 million special assessment fee has outraged residents of two 16-year-old buildings at 1060 Brickell in Miami, Florida, with some unit owners facing individual bills exceeding $40,000.  “I think it’s excessive,” resident Nima Mahdjour told CBS News. “I feel like I’m being milked.”  A special assessment fee is paid by condo owners on top of their usual monthly maintenance fees. According to the report, the condo board approved the special assessment fee based on findings from a structural integrity ...

Q: We recently received an e-mail from our management company regarding the filing requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act. This is the first I’ve ever heard of it. Can you explain what this is?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

It’s not unusual for an HOA to use a tow company to haul away cars illegally parked, but one home owners association in Florida is angering the actual homeowners for having a tow truck take cars from private driveways. That move has left owners shocked and outraged as they question how the move can even be legal.   Read the article…………………………….

Nearly a million Florida condo owners face an important deadline at the end of the year. That’s when a law passed in 2022 requires most Florida condo associations to submit inspection reports for their buildings and to collect money from owners to pay for any needed repairs.  Condo owners are reporting that new condominium rules are driving up fees and inducing outrageous assessments.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: We live in a townhouse condo. Our garage is next to our neighbor’s garage and attached as the first floor of our condo. The neighbor’s unit is underneath our condo and several other condos. Our neighbor smokes pot constantly. All our units that are above his unit, plus our garage, now reek of the smell.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Construction Safety Team has been able to reach an important milestone in the investigation.  Due to the NIST completing its review, measurement and testing of the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo building, custody of the evidence has been transferred to the Miami-Dade Police Department.    Read the article…………………………….

Imagine being awakened by the sound of a tow truck hooking up to your vehicle to haul it out of your own driveway for a violation not even visible from the street.  Worse yet, the HOA, which you pay hundreds of dollars a year, gave the tow business the green light.  Read the article…………………………….

Just three days into a pilot program to help Florida condo associations strengthen their buildings, “My Safe Florida Condo” is no longer accepting applications for grant money.  The pilot program — which is part of the larger “My Safe Florida Home” program — had been allocated $30 million.    Read the article…………………………….

The Homeowners Association (HOA) of Fairfield Village seemed to have been at a low point this past year for several very good reasons. The president was moving away, and a new president took over with less than a full HOA board.  The current president, Herman Alers, asked all the community to help to restore the organization, or it could possibly be phased out once the regular meetings resumed after the summer 2024 hiatus    Read the article…………………………….

In Fort Lauderdale, pending sales dropped 15.2% year over year during the four weeks ending November 10—the biggest decline among the U.S. metropolitan areas Redfin analyzed. Next came Miami (-14%), West Palm Beach (-13.8%), Jacksonville (-9.5%) and Tampa (-7.2%). Nationwide, pending sales rose 4.7% over the same period.   Read the article…………………………….

FEMA has approved ONE-TIME debris removal for homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and gated communities in Pasco County. This is an opportunity to have storm debris picked up at no cost, but the deadline is fast approaching.  If customers live in a gated community or belong to an HOA with private roads, their property management representative must contact the county by 5 p.m., Friday, November 22.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s new legislative leadership shot down speculation of a special session to address an affordability crisis among condo owners, despite urging from Gov. Ron DeSantis for one to be convened by the end of the year.  The crisis was largely sparked by a series of changes OK’d by the state after the deadly June 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South, a 12-story condo in Surfside, Miami-Dade County.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: I am a retired senior with several disabilities, one of which is hearing loss. I spent 56 years in the workforce as well as raising three boys as a single parent. I have certainly earned my retirement. Recently my upstairs neighbor has started complaining about my TV noise. I don’t want to upend my life only to accommodate hers. I cannot wear my hearing aids at night. I shut my TV off between 11:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. My ...

With declining sales and other factors, the condominium market in Collier County keeps helping drag down housing, according to the latest data.  For the Naples Area Board of Realtors known as NABOR, condo sales plunged to 250 total in September, a 21% drop as compared to a year ago.   Read the article…………………………….

Just 16 years after construction, residents at a Brickell condo are grappling with a contentious $21 million special assessment for repairs to their buildings.  Some unit owners of the two buildings at 1060 Brickell face individual payments exceeding $40,000, leaving them questioning the necessity, speed, and transparency of the process.   Read the article…………………………….

The condo version of the My Safe Florida Home program is now officially up and running, open to condo associations for grants to make storm-related improvements.  “There’s a very overwhelming concern and understanding that we need to make people be safe and feel safe,” state Rep. Peggy Gossett Seidman, R-Highland Beach, said.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: What is the “DBPR” and does it have authority over homeowners’ associations? (C.S., via e-mail) A: The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is an executive branch state agency in Florida. Its secretary is appointed by the Governor.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

The City of Tamarac invites board members of Homeowners’ Associations (HOA) to its Quarterly HOA Liaison Meeting on Thursday, November 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. Held via Zoom, the virtual event seeks to provide board members with the necessary information to satisfy new state certification criteria scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024.  Read the article…………………………….

District 37 runs from Sunny Isles Beach up to the Palm Beach County line. It is one of the Florida senate districts with the highest concentration of condo units.  “We’re a truck full of condos,” said State Senator Jason Pizzo, a Democrat who represents district 37 in Tallahassee.  Pizzo also lives in a condo and says he hears from concerned condo constituents every day.    Read the article…………………………….

A look at the soaring cost of condo ownership, especially for those who live in older buildings. NBC6’s Alina Machado took concerns to state lawmakers to discuss what could be on the horizon.  Video news report……………………..

Condo owners in Florida can now get free inspections and grant funding through a new pilot program aimed at helping them strengthen their properties against hurricanes.  Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and the Florida Department of Financial Services announced the launch of the “My Safe Florida Condo” pilot Thursday.    Read the article…………………………….

A woman who admitted to pouring concrete down a drainpipe in her neighborhood now has until Jan. 8 to fix it, despite the flooding her neighbors have endured for months.  On Thursday, the homeowner was back at a code enforcement hearing where a special magistrate decided to amend a prior order and give her more time to make repairs to the drainage system before fining her $250 daily.  Read the article…………………………….

A condo association at a pair of luxurious beachfront towers in Bal Harbour is suing the companies that own and manage the common areas, alleging that negligence and poor maintenance has led to safety risks including electrocution and the stability of the parking garage.   Read the article…………………………….

After months of anticipation, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program (the “Program”) is set to launch tomorrow, November 14, 2024. The Program aims to assist eligible condominium associations by offering free mitigation inspections to best determine how to harden the condominium property from storm damage, as well as mitigation grant funds that can be used for those projects.   Read the article……………………………. My Safe Florida Pilot Program web site

More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved…….The easement was prompted by several homeowner associations, including Old Naples Association, Coquina Sands, The Mooring and Aqualane Shores because The Athens group was seeking deviations to allow greater density in its project.   Read the article…………………………….

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.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

With a deadline of Dec. 31 just around the corner, over 150 condo associations along Volusia County’s coast still have not turned in their “milestone” inspection reports.  The state-wide deadline is for many of Florida’s condo buildings to get their mandatory engineering assessments done, which became law after the Surfside condo collapse in 2021.  News 6 reached out to the cities along Volusia’s coast and the county to ask about the condos in unincorporated areas beachside. The data received showed ...

“It’s just blowing to the house,” said Marguerite Parent, a resident living in the retirement community Indianwood.  She’s talking about the dust. Parent and other neighbors said it’s blowing onto their properties from the Terra Lago residential construction site down the road.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: Recently my physical therapist visited my condo for my therapy, and they took a picture of her car and license plate, saying she went over the 20 mile per hour speed limit inside the community. However, they billed me for the fine. They said that it was in my original condominium paperwork that I received 18 years ago. How can I be responsible for how fast someone else drives? Is this legal?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Q: The landscaper hired by our HOA for the community damaged a large hedge in our yard that now must be replaced. My HOA says the damage is not their responsibility and that I must resolve the problem myself. Do I have to deal directly with the landscape company?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

An eighth suspect has been arrested in connection with the alleged multimillion-dollar theft scheme that drained funds from the Hammocks Homeowners Association.  Jesus Cue, 63, the HOA’s controller and accountant, faces multiple felony charges, including racketeering, unlawful compensation and money laundering, according to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.    Read the article…………………………….

After Florida legislative leaders indicated they were not in favor of a special session on condominium reforms but Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed his support for one, many association directors and residents began hoping for some relief from the imminent reserve study/funding deadline.   Read the article…………………………….

Friday marks three months since residents were forced out of their homes at the Villa Del Sol condos after an inspection deemed the property unsafe.  A structural engineer hired by Villa del Sol discovered extensive damage during the inspection.  In September, Eric Johnson, one of the 11 residents who was evacuated, said the initial repair costs for the Villa Del Sol condos were estimated at $9 million.    Read the article…………………………….

For decades, seniors seeking a slice of the Sunshine State on a budget have flocked to condos like this one. But skyrocketing insurance rates and regulations passed after 2021?s deadly Surfside building collapse that dictate how much condo associations must save and spend on repairs have spiked costs and upended the real estate market.    Read the article…………………………….

In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn explain that this situation is an example of the Growth Ponzi Scheme, where maintenance costs are hidden by rapid growth until they eventually come due and bury people or communities in debt. They discuss the effect deferred maintenance has on individuals and communities and explore possible paths forward.   Listen to the podcast…………………………..

Q. We have a condo in Florida, and read your column even when we’re there, which is half the year. Our condo board is proposing “improvements,” aside from all the regulatory issues we’ve been hit with due to building collapses and storms. Our building faces the ocean and is 17 stories tall. It has spectacular views and large balconies. One proposed renovation is to remove the concrete walls between the balconies, which we were told are not structural, and replace ...

Political pushback is building against the state law requiring inspections of older condominiums.  In her last newsletter, Palm Beach County Commissioner Marci Woodward—whose District 4 includes Boca Raton and Delray Beach—urged constituents to sign a petition being circulated by her fellow Republican commissioner, Michael Barnett. His District 3 includes many large condo communities in the Lake Worth Beach area.   Read the article…………………………….

The board of directors at the Hunters Run homeowners association recently reached a decision that has been met with questions and dissent from some members. To pay for needed renovations and improvements, the directors approved a measure to take the $49 million in equity funds set aside for refunds due to members of the club, some of which are as high as $32,000, that the members were promised to receive when they eventually sold their residences. The decision and the ...

Q: A member of our condominium association board recently resigned, unexpectedly, part way through the first year of their two-year term. According to our bylaws, a board member appointed to fill a vacancy serves until the next scheduled election. Does the temporary replacement serve only until the next annual meeting, or can they fill out the term of the person they replaced?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

It could be a while before all of the Hurricane Milton storm debris gets cleared in Volusia County, but there are things people can do to help the process.  Homeowners associations that maintain their roads and mobile home parks in unincorporated Volusia County have to provide a right-of-entry form as soon as possible to allow crews to remove debris from their communities, according to a county government news release. The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires the form.    Read the article…………………………….

A 28-story luxury condo tower expected to break ground early next year will rise nearly 300 feet into the sky, making it the tallest building in a quiet Fort Lauderdale neighborhood just east of the Galleria mall.  Critics say the 44-unit tower, which will stand 292 feet 9 inches and replace a two-story co-op at 900 Intracoastal Drive, should have never been approved for one simple reason: It’s not compatible with the neighborhood.     Read the article…………………………….

Afederal appeals court has upheld a ruling requiring Empire Indemnity Insurance Co. to pay over $6 million to a Southwest Florida condominium association for damages caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017.  The Mont Claire at Pelican Marsh Condominium Association filed a lawsuit against Empire after the insurer paid only a small fraction of the claim for damage to the condo buildings.    Read the article…………………………….

Former EmeraldBay property manager Maria Rodriguez – the person who brought condo corruption to Key Biscayne’s doorstop – received a sentence of three years of reporting probation on Friday, where under a plea agreement she won’t even have a criminal record if she meets all conditions.   Read the article…………………………….

On the heels of a record-breaking three hurricanes making landfall in Florida in 2024 – Debby, Helene, and Milton – disaster recovery is obviously a hot topic as residents and business owners work to recover from the financial and physical damages that the storms have left behind.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Seventies music, conversation and laughter wafted from the courtyard of Beacon Point Condominium in Ponce Inlet Saturday, Oct. 26, as the condo community celebrated its 50th anniversary.  Beacon Point was originally built as retirement apartments for teachers, financed by a teachers’ union, in the early 1970s. The original blueprints in 1972 were for Pier East Daytona at the Inlet. The first phase was built in 1974. The complex was converted to condominiums in 1980.    Read the article…………………………….

Beachgoers on Singer Island wonder if damage to a 19-story condo is dangerous.  It’s a sign of continuing vigilance over concerns about beachside condominiums three years after the deadly collapse of a condo in Surfside in Miami-Dade County.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: I live in a villa which is attached to another villa, of which there are six on my street. The whole subdivision has attached villas which total about 190. All are single story with a garage. I have lived in the development for over 20 years and own my home free and clear with no mortgage.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

A state lawmaker has some bad news for condo owners – ‘there’s no state bailout coming.’  Hollywood State Senator Jason Pizzo shocked Wednesday’s crowd at Broward Housing Council’s “2024 Affordable Housing Workshop: Condo Reform,” which was called to address concerns condo owners have about high assessment fees.      Read the article…………………………….

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance reminded insurance carriers that they must soon report information about claims stemming from Helene, which brought severe flooding to the eastern part of the state. Insurers should report the data through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in six monthly reports starting Nov. 5.  Read the article…………………………….

The tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside in June 2021 was a defining moment for Florida. Ninety-eight lives were lost, and the devastation rippled across communities throughout the nation.  In the wake of that terrible event, condo owners and condo associations began to examine their practices of building inspections, maintenance work and maintenance reserves. And widespread support for stricter regulations and transparency to ensure condo safety led to new state laws that will do a lot ...

Walking away from the home Jennifer McKown shares with her mother is tough.  “It’s home. The memories,” she said as she held back tears.  Her condo, like most in the Gardens at Beacon Square, took in water from Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. But she said the repairs shouldn’t force her to move out for as long as a year.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Until recently, I was the president of my condominium association. However, certain unit owners were unhappy with the decisions I had made and pushed through a recall. While I do not dispute that they obtained recall agreements signed by a majority of the unit owners, they did so under false pretenses where they made false statements about my leadership. Are recall agreements obtained based on false statements valid?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

The Mid-Beach tower was built in 1959 and contains more than 100 units, according to real estate websites.  Video from Sky 10 shows that the fire spread all the way up the side of the 12-story building. The video showed firefighters zeroed in on two dumpsters outside.     Read the article…………………………….

Q: What rights does a condominium association have when dealing with an abandoned unit, and under what circumstances can it go into the unit?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Nearly a million Florida condo owners face an important deadline at the end of the year. That’s when a law passed in 2022 requires most Florida condo associations to submit inspection reports for their buildings and to collect money from owners to pay for any needed repairs.   Read the article…………………………….

The unintended consequences of the state’s new law designed to ensure the safety of condo buildings is being felt throughout the state.  While the vast majority of those affected buildings are in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, condo associations from the Keys to Tallahassee are struggling to cope with its fallout. Gov. Ron DeSantis is concerned enough that he has called on the Legislature to fix the new condo safety law this year.    Read the article…………………………….

With twice as many condominium units as single-family homes, Marco Island is seeing the effects of a slow condo real estate market caused by past hurricanes, high interest rates and a new state inspection and safety law.  Total real estate sales were down 8% in August versus a year ago, according to the Marco Island Association of Realtors. Condos are staying on the market 120 days, up 79%, compared to 69 days for single-family homes, which is down 7%.    Read ...

Special assessment: two frightening words when strung together and directed at a property owner.  Our big Sunday package (subscriber only) this week looks at the impact of a new state law, SB 4-D, designed to ensure the safety of condo buildings. It was adopted after the tragic 2021 condo collapse in Surfside that killed 98 people.   Read the article…………………………….

A man arrested for alleged connection in the Hammocks Homeowners Association multimillion-dollar fraud investigation appeared in bond court Friday.  Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday the arrest of Ivan Dario Diez.  According to prosecutors, Diez is one of five HOA board members accused of racketeering and stealing more than a million dollars from residents.    Read the article…………………………….

When handling post-hurricane recovery and restoration, it’s important to do things the right way the first time.   That was the main theme of the virtual seminar presented by the Federation of Longboat Key Condominiums on Saturday, Oct. 19. The webinar included speakers like restoration companies, insurance adjusters, and the Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons.   Read the article…………………………….

The disconnect in the South Florida condo market deepend in the third quarter, as newer inventory continued to fly off the shelf at higher prices, while older stock piled up and lost value, according to a report from ISG World released Thursday.  Condos older than 30 years have lost 21% of their value since last year, and 41% since 2020, while prices for condos built after 1994 have risen 9% since last September and 23% since 2020.    Read the article…………………………….

SB 4-D was enacted into law after the deadly collapse of Champlain Tower South in Surfside that killed 98 people in 2021. Engineering reports found that the building was unsafe and needed several million dollars worth of repairs but the board, fearful of the impact of a special assessment, failed to undertake the repairs before the building collapsed.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida condo owners are already facing higher fees to keep up with new safety regulations.  However, many are starting to question whether Florida’s fragile property insurance market can handle back-to-back hurricane damage.  “This year, with these two big hurricanes, we’re anticipating a big increase,” said Pat Hutson, a condo owner in Tampa. “I’m very worried that our monthly dues will not cover the new insurance premium.”    Read the article…………………………….

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle is holding a press conference Thursday to announce the most recent arrest in the ongoing investigation into the Hammocks Community Association.  Authorities booked Kevin Leonardo Alzate, 32, the cousin of former homeowners association president Marglli Gallego, into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center last December. He’s facing charges of perjury by contradictory statements, fabricating physical evidence and resisting an officer without violence.    Read the article…………………………….

A top aide to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is upsetting some of his Tallahassee neighbors with his sidewalk campaign against Amendment 4 – the proposed constitutional amendment to invalidate the state’s current six-week abortion ban.  Anastasios Kamoutsas, a deputy chief of staff for DeSantis, lives in the Killearn Estates neighborhood, which is famed for a homeowner’s association that strictly enforces its covenants and restrictions, especially a prohibition on political signs.     Read the article…………………………….

Miami-Dade Republican sheriff candidate Rosie Cordero-Stutz announced Wednesday one of her first duties if elected as the next sheriff of the county will be to crack down on corruption, including within the Homeowners Assocation.  “One of my top priorities as Sheriff will be cracking down on corruption, with a special focus on HOAs. It’s time to protect our residents from those who abuse their power,” Cordero-Stutz said.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo sales fell by nearly 20% in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, more evidence that interest in South Florida high-rise living continues to plummet. Total existing condo sales fell by 19% in Miami-Dade compared to a year ago in September, from 1,090 deals to 883, according to the latest monthly housing report by the Miami Association of Realtors.   Read the article…………………………….

Gustavo Alvarez, a licensed engineer, knew he might find problems at the Villa Del Sol condominium complex in St. Lucie County when he entered crawlspaces of several buildings on the morning of Aug. 8 for a safety inspection. But nothing prepared him for what he was about to see.  Conditions were so bad in three of the six buildings that he made a 911-type call to the county fire marshal calling for an immediate evacuation: The buildings were in danger ...

Owners of condo units at Villa Riviera Club in unincorporated Brevard County will be facing a hefty special assessment in the coming months.  The four-building, 29-unit, oceanside condominium complex will have to do more than $1.2 million worth of balcony and walkway work.    Read the article…………………………….

What are licensed engineers and architects finding after inspecting condominium buildings? Three complexes in Palm Beach County offer examples of the type of work that needs to be done to keep them safe.  The state’s new law, SB 4-D, was adopted after the deadly collapse of the Champlain Tower South in Surfside that killed 98 people in 2021. It requires a “milestone inspection” or an initial inspection of each building with a height of three stories or more by Dec. ...

In March, we published a letter to the editor from a Miami man, whose message sent a dire warning to older Florida condominium communities.  “Florida has been in a state of reckoning over the last two years, after the collapse of Surfside’s Champlain Towers in 2021 that killed 98 people set off a slew of new regulations. In the aftermath, lawmakers realized that the condominium law that allows associations to defer critical maintenance and not hold reserves for future ...

Marina Pointe, the crown jewel of luxury waterfront living in Tampa’s rapidly growing Westshore Marina District, has been named Best Condominium in Tampa Magazines’ annual ‘Best of the City’ awards. This prestigious recognition further cements Marina Pointe’s position as a premier residential and lifestyle destination in the Tampa Bay area, emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping the region’s waterfront luxury real estate market.   Read the article…………………………….

With Hurricane Milton’s passage, storm assessments are well underway across Florida. But one likely outcome, insurance industry watchers fear, is that owners of shredded and torn properties are in for a financial soaking.  A vulnerability in Florida’s property insurance market — finger-pointing over whether water damage was caused by flood inundation or breaches in the structure that let rain through — is likely being exposed again by Milton’s sea surge,     Read the article…………………………….

A former Aventura condo president, accused of a laundry list of crimes, is hoping to bond out of jail.  After spending weeks behind bars, a judge allowed Gregori Arzumanov to go back to the same condo that, prosecutors said, he stole from.   Read the article…………………………….

With Hurricane Milton’s passage, storm assessments are well underway across Florida. But one likely outcome, insurance industry watchers fear, is that owners of shredded and torn properties are in for a financial soaking.  A vulnerability in Florida’s property insurance market — finger-pointing over whether water damage was caused by flood inundation or breaches in the structure that let rain through — is likely being exposed again by Milton’s sea surge, devastating winds and torrential downpours along a vast swath of ...

Q: Recently, the board of our homeowners’ association amended the community rules without filing the updated document with the county clerk. They only noted the change on our website. Can the board enforce a rule change that wasn’t officially recorded?     Read the Q&A………………………………..

Multiple units were on the scene of a structure fire at a condo building in Ponte Vedra Beach Sunday afternoon, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: My 3 ½ pounds teacup dog was viciously attacked by a dog owned by my crazy neighbor’s never-leaving guest. The dog is gigantic and obviously not a trained service dog.  The guest and her dog were standing by the elevator, and the owner wasn’t holding his leash. I was standing on my doorstep with my dog beside me, and her dog charged us, mouth open, and scooped up my dog in his jaws.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Condo sales in Fort Lauderdale have plummeted due to the state’s ongoing real estate crisis with the number of apartments sold having dropped to 14 percent in the year’s third quarter.  The city recorded just 386 sales in that time with the median price also falling 3.9 percent to $427,500, according to a new report.   Read the article…………………………….

The tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside in June 2021 was a defining moment for Florida. Ninety-eight people died, and the devastation rippled across communities throughout the nation.  In the wake of that terrible event, condo owners and condo associations began to examine their practices of building inspections, maintenance work and maintenance reserves.    Read the article…………………………….

We’ve heard a lot about the FEMA 50% rule, which states that a damaged home can’t be repaired if the damage exceeds 50% of the home’s value. Now, residents in hard-hit areas along Pinellas County beaches are hearing that storm debris littering streets, front yards, and vacant lots won’t be picked up if it came from a condominium.   Read the article…………………………….

Employees at Skye Ranch, the high-end Sarasota development where a Black teen recorded a group of white men following and harassing him after Hurricane Milton, declined to say anything Thursday about the incident that has gained national attention.    Read the article…………………………….

You’ve probably never heard the name Rudy Clark, but chances are, you know his music. He wrote some of the biggest hits of the 60s and 70s, recorded by everyone from Aretha Franklin to George Harrison. Mr. Clark passed away in 2020, and his daughter contacted ABC Action News after Hurricane Helene. She said her condo association tossed out his memorabilia, including his gold records after the condo she inherited was damaged by the storm.   Read the article…………………………….

Although many people believe Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) to be overly restrictive of landscaping, there are actually plenty of opportunities for Florida natives.  The South Florida Native Plant Society – Conradina Chapter invites HOA residents and non-HOA residents alike to attend its 15th Annual Landscaping with Florida Natives Tour.   Read the article…………………………….

There are new questions after the arrest of a South Florida condo president. They center around a check obtained by 7Investigates. 7’s Heather Walker investigates.  Katherine Fernandez Rundle/Miami-Dade State Attorney: “It turns out there was trouble in paradise.”  That trouble centered around the president of an Aventura condo association seen here handcuffed and arrested.  Read the article…………………………….

A legal storm has erupted in Florida as a resident takes on a law firm and an attorney, accusing them of serious professional misconduct.  Read the article…………………………….

A growing condo crisis has gripped South Florida and a new state law requiring condominium boards to set aside reserves for repairs and maintenance is being blamed for a spike in the number of listings in the face of soaring HOA costs, according to a report.   Read the article…………………………….

Residents at an 11-story luxury condominium complex on Merritt Island could see full elevator service restored soon after Hurricane Milton disrupted service last week, the senior living complex reports.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Our condominium association hasn’t held elections for many years due to a lack of more applicants than available board seats. We are considering amending how we handle board terms and adding term limits at the next annual meeting. Should we implement staggered terms for continuity and fair rotation, or should board members be allowed to serve terms longer than 8 years?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Florida’s condominium and homeowner associations have long been cherished for the sense of community, security and amenities they offer to millions of residents.  But that is quickly changing.  As a recent Tyson Group poll confirmed, the rising costs of living in these communities, driven in part by new safety regulations born after the Surfside condo collapse, are placing a growing burden on homeowners, many of whom are also now grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and soon, Hurricane Milton.  ...

Hurricane Milton debris collection will begin in Polk County on Monday, Oct. 14, and residents are encouraged to clean up storm damage and move debris to the curb for collection. However, it’s important to note that an extra step is required for Polk County residents who live on private roads or in gated communities.  Polk County cannot legally collect debris from residents on private roads and gated communities until designated Homeowner’s Association officers or road owners sign and return a ...

The all-clear has been given for the Venice condo building that underwent safety inspections after taking damage from Hurricane Milton.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: Our condominium unit caught fire earlier this year. It was electrical, with extensive smoke damage. We hired a contractor to do the restoration, and the contractor presented the HOA with an invoice to do the electrical, plumbing, and drywall, which is their responsibility.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Venice residents who had already survived Hurricane Milton woke up to yet another evacuation order.  Emergency crews working to repair damage from the hurricane found cracks inside a high-rise in the heart of Venice early Saturday. Most residents had evacuated the building before Milton’s landfall, but after the team’s discovery, anybody who stayed behind had to leave out of fear that the 10-story building would come down.  Video news report……………………..

Experts say Florida insurance market can handle another hurricane this year — and stay healthy Back-to-back Florida hurricanes signal trouble for home insurance prices nationwide  

Tim Johnson has owned his condo in Miami Beach for nine years. It’s about 900 square feet and has a balcony facing west.  “I have beautiful sunsets and I have a view of the Miami skyline,” he said.  The building has 225 units. It was built in 1968. Johnson owns his unit outright. He does not have a mortgage.  But he spends $1,200 a month on assessments. And that’s before his own insurance and property taxes.   Read the article…………………………….

The Walden Lake development began with two privately-owned, thriving golf courses in the midst of 2200 houses. However, the golf courses’ 320 acres became run down, lost business, and eventually, the owner filed for bankruptcy. The course has been closed for 12 years. As the clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, and other structures continued to degrade, several notices of code violations were sent from Plant City government to the property owners including grass, weed, and undergrowth that had grown over 10 ...

A crane on top of a building (condo) in St. Petersburg collapsed during Hurricane Milton, the City of St. Petersburg said.  Late Wednesday night, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue received reports of a crane collapse at the 400 Central building construction site.   Read the article…………………………….

Being unlicensed as a contractor in Florida does not necessarily void a storm-remediation contract, a Florida appeals court said in a decision that could affect insurance defense strategy in hurricane claims.  “This shows that it’s really important to know the scope of work being performed,” said Josh Beck, an insurance defense attorney in Boca Raton.   Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s condominium and homeowner associations have long been cherished for the sense of community, security and amenities they offer to millions of residents.  But that is quickly changing.   As a recent Tyson Group poll confirmed, the rising costs of living in these communities, driven in part by new safety regulations born after the Surfside condo collapse, are placing a growing burden on homeowners, many of whom are also now grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and soon, Hurricane Milton.  ...

Weiss Ratings, the nation’s only independent rating agency covering insurance companies, warned today that homeowners in Florida filing legitimate damage claims in the wake of hurricanes Helene or Milton are at high risk of receiving no payment whatsoever from their insurance company.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Do the new requirements for associations under Chapters 718 and 720 mandate that their websites must have public-facing pages, or is it sufficient for these websites to only have a password-protected area for members to access the required documents?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Question: I’m a fairly new resident in a condo community. I’ve been here about two years and I’m beginning to think our condo board has gone bonkers.  They are churning out “new rules” on almost a monthly basis. None of the owners were notified about rule changes/amendments or given an opportunity to understand the need for the rule changes.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

“With that forecast in hand, we yesterday started bringing down some of our canal water levels, in order to start moving some water in advance of the storm,” said Strowd. “In addition to that, we notified the homeowners associations that have residential stormwater systems within our district, gave them permission to open their operable water control structures to start letting water out of their systems in advance of the storm, pick up some additional water storage. It might be needed ...

A property insurer of last resort in Florida is set to hand over hundreds of thousands of policies to the private sector later this month due to overwhelming demand.  Earlier this year, regulators in the Sunshine State approved proposals that would allow private insurers to take policies from the state’s Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.   Read the article…………………………….  

Condo buyouts were on the rise this year — and they can represent an escape to some burdened owners, but a threat to those who could be forced to leave their homes. Condo buyouts or terminations happen when 80% of condominium owners agree to sell to a developer. A deal can move forward unless 5% of owners vote against the deal.   Read the article…………………………….

People living in several South Florida condo communities say they have been fighting for years to take back control of where they live. All telling NBC6 their property manager, hired by their boards, has been abusing his power and their money.  “The biggest issue is that the owners have no rights in there,” said Julian Londono, who owns a condo at the Cypress Gardens community in Hollywood.   Read the article…………………………….

Residents were ordered to evacuate their homes immediately on Aug. 8 after an inspection showed dangerous structural damage in three of the six Villa Del Sol condominium buildings at 11000 S. Ocean Drive on Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County. Inspectors found numerous large cracks in the concrete as well as disintegrating rebar and large pieces of concrete that could be removed by hand or by tapping it with a hammer.    Read the article…………………………….

A rabbi is getting ready to celebrate the Jewish New Year with a victory under his belt after his homeowner’s association said his celebrations can move forward.  Rabbi Shmuel Hurwitz got into a religious dispute with the association at the Embassy Lakes community in Cooper City last month when the board told him he wasn’t allowed to lead his annual prayer and play his shofar for Rosh Hashanah.   Read the article…………………………….

Lake Clarke Gardens condominium residents reached out to WPTV worried that expensive condominium assessment fees may be too much for them to afford.  “It’s a dream to live here. It’s very nice, very quiet but lately, we’re all really worried about the situation,” resident Arturo Duharte said.   Read the article…………………………….

As Miami-Dade, Broward County and Palm Beach counties’ aging condo buildings flood the market at bargain prices, buyers are lured by what seems like a great deal.  But beneath the surface, these decades-old structures come with hefty repair bills and safety concerns that could make them a massive financial gamble.   Read the article…………………………….

In May, Channel 9 shared how one Orange County Condo board planned to pass a more than $22,000 special assessment.  The former Regency Gardens condo board said the special assessment fee was needed because the new state law required Regency Gardens to make up nearly a $17 million gap in reserve funding.  After Regency Gardens condo owners were notified about the special assessment plans, some owners sold their units, and others decided to band together to oust the condo board.  ...

A local homeowners’ association is facing backlash from residents over proposed restrictions on flag and sign display. The controversial changes, set to be voted on at the upcoming HOA Board Meeting on October 15th, would significantly limit the types of flags and signs residents can display on their properties.   Read the article…………………………….

Days after Hurricane Helene devastated the area, seniors in Gulfport are stuck in the dark and still without power. Many of them are not able to leave their condos because the elevators are down.   Read the article…………………………….

As 2024 approaches its last quarter, Florida condominium and homeowners’ associations must stay on top of important, upcoming deadlines. Compliance with state regulations helps avoid penalties, keeps communities running smoothly, and ensures effective governance. Below are some key deadlines and requirements for condos and HOAs in Florida to consider:   Read the article…………………………….

He wanted to fly the American flag on his balcony. His condo association said ‘Do it and we’re gonna fine you.’ Can you ban the American flag? Well, one patriotic South Floridian reached out to Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.  The American flag. Displayed at businesses, government offices, homes, and then Juan put his out on his balcony.  Juan Fernandez: “So that everybody can see that we in this house will love America and will continue to do so ...

Aventura police arrested a condominium board president on several felony charges, including racketeering and money laundering, on Tuesday after they accused him of embezzling more than $1.5 million from unit owners since 2017.  According to an online biography, Arzumanov, originally from the former Soviet country of Georgia, has served as the association president since 2008.     Read the article…………………………….

It’s being considered a punch in the gut. Neighbors were almost finished recovering from Hurricane Ian when Hurricane Helene rolled by the coast.  Multiple homes have been destroyed, including many of the Blind Pass Condominiums’ first-floor units.  Now, they have to start all over again.     Read the article…………………………….

The damage from Hurricane Helene will soon result in a wave of insurance claims from areas damaged by the storm’s winds and flooding.  “Tallahassee dodged a bullet, but unfortunately, the Big Bend took another hit,” CFO Jimmy Patronis said.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I recently reviewed communications from our condominium management regarding penalties for unit owners who fail to pay their maintenance fees. I find the penalties to be insignificant and ineffective. I am frustrated that those who don’t pay their share of our expenses seem unaffected and continue to enjoy amenities, making these penalties a real “nothingburger.” What can be done to address this issue?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Colony complex this weekend, snapping wood poles in two. Police were notified and officials are checking security records to determine who may be responsible.  The 14 umbrellas were anchored in the sand near the south property line, said David McDanal, the president of the Key Colony Homeowners’ Association.   Read the article…………………………….

Today, almost half of the homes in America are at risk of severe or extreme damage from environmental threats, affecting nearly $22 trillion in real estate, according to a recent Realtor.com® report.  To cut their potential losses, “many insurers are stopping coverage in certain places because of the risks associated with climate change and extreme weather,”    Read the article…………………………….

It’s been two years since Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida and an estimated 50 thousand homeowners are still locked in battles with their insurance companies. Tonight, you will hear from insurance insiders who say after years of diligently paying premiums, homeowners are being misled by their insurance carriers. The whistleblowers, who are all licensed adjusters, tell us after Hurricane Ian, several insurance carriers were using altered damage reports to deceive customers.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo owners in South Florida and elsewhere are facing increased fees and assessments because of laws passed by the legislature in the aftermath of the Surfside tragedy.  Some of those assessments are running into the tens of thousands of dollars, money that a growing number of condo owners simply don’t have.  Despite Gov. Ron DeSantis acknowledging the crisis, there is little likelihood a special session of the legislature will be called to deal with it.   Video news report……………………..

Residents of a condo in Fort Lauderdale have been forced to leave their building after a structural engineer reportedly deemed it unsafe.  The last-minute notice happened as Hurricane Helene is set to make landfall in Florida.  Residents of Springbrook Gardens at 125 North Birch Road were told to evacuate, Thursday.   Read the article…………………………….

A South Florida rabbi is in a religious dispute with his homeowners association after, he said, they are restricting him from expressing his religious views ahead of the Jewish holiday.  Rabbi Shmuel Hurwitz lives in the Embassy Lakes community in Cooper City, and he likes to have his menorah out year-round and play his shofar.   Read the article…………………………….

Help could be on the way for condo owners in Palm Beach County who are being hit with special assessments to do inspections and repair structural damage to their buildings, following the Surfside condo collapse in June 2021.  Palm Beach County Commissioners are talking about possibly offering low-interest loans to condo owners.    Read the article…………………………….

The Bay Isles Association recently approached the town of Longboat Key about taking over ownership of the island’s only pedestrian underpass along Gulf of Mexico Drive.     Read the article…………………………….

A condo owner from Stuart is turning to WPTV to help her efforts to bring condo associations together from the Treasure Coast to Palm Beach County.  “We need to do something, and we need to do it now,” Darlene VanRiper said. “It is time to rally together. You’d be amazed what people can do when they’re united.”    Read the article…………………………….

Yet another torrid tale has emerged of Florida homeowners being hit with eye-watering special assessment fees as building managers race to be in compliance with a new state law.  This time, it’s the residents of SurfSide Club South in Ormond Beach crying foul after each condo was billed over $100,000.    Read the article…………………………….

Condo associations are required to submit what’s called a Milestone Inspection report that determines whether buildings show signs of substantial structural deterioration. They must also obtain a separate report, called a Strategic Integrity Reserve Study. It estimates the remaining lifespans of such components as roofs, structural elements, fire protection systems, plumbing, electrical systems, exterior painting and waterproofing and windows, and determines how much money associations must fund for future repairs or replacements.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: Can an owner of a condominium association exercise free speech to protest issues with their condominium association? (J.D., via e-mail) A: That is a complicated legal question. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution only prohibits the federal government from abridging free speech rights. That protection is extended to the States and their various political subdivisions by the Fourteenth Amendment.      Read the Q&A………………………………..

Question: I live in a townhome community and have woods 10 feet from my back lanai. There is a metal fence separating the woods from my patio. The trees/weeds/vines come close to the fence and some trees are over 30 feet high. Some limbs and vines are close to touching my building.    Read the article…………………………….

Gov. Ron DeSantis is reassuring condo owners that discussions are underway to offer relief for new expensive building requirements that are due before the end of the year.  According to the Governor’s press office, DeSantis is working toward relief for condo owners who are hit with fees and assessments as buildings try to meet new safety mandates.     Read the article…………………………….

One day after Gov. Ron DeSantis indicated he would be open to a special legislative session to deal with condo costs, questions remain about whether lawmakers will be able to craft a solution that avoids pricing people out of their homes.  Read the article…………………………….

Nearly three years ago, a 12-story condo in Surfside Florida collapsed in the middle of the night, claiming 98 lives.  It is remembered as one of the most deadly structure collapses in the country’s history. After the tragedy, Florida lawmakers passed legislation requiring condos to pass certain inspections and safety tests.  However, the new law is painting a broad brush, sweeping up condo owners who live in places with as few as five units. For example, condos on South Calhoun ...

As state leaders grapple with solutions to the looming condo crisis in Florida, several people wrote in to ABC Action News over rising fees and special assessments they’re facing, which they say are becoming unaffordable.  It’s hard to beat the picture-perfect views from Al Winsser’s home. He’s owned his family’s condo in Tierra Verde for about four years with the idea to simplify life and start traveling.   Read the article…………………………….

A Longwood woman who’s being sued for plugging a stormwater drain with concrete has been given a court order to repair a stormwater drain pipe that she plugged and to pay for the fixing costs within 10 days.  The Shadowbay Club Homeowners’ Association filed a lawsuit against Goglas.   Read the article…………………………….

For the second time in a week, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable in Pinellas Park to pressure the Florida Legislature to hold a special session to help condo owners who are facing rising assessment fees.   Video news report……………………..

There were some tense moments early Wednesday morning when a fire erupted inside a 4th floor apartment at a condominium building and some residents were evacuated.  Authorities said the fire was tied to an electric scooter that was plugged in to a wall socket in a spare bedroom in order to charge its lithium-ion battery.     Read the article…………………………….

Property insurance costs in Florida continued to rise between the first and second quarters of the year, and condo associations have been hit hardest during that time.  The average cost of a commercial condo association policy — the kind that covers common properties like roofs, structures, and irrigation systems — jumped 6.6% in the second quarter, and over the past two years has more than doubled, increasing by 103% from $72,570 to $147,381, according to newly released data by the ...

Florida is in the midst of a condo crisis as an impending safety deadline could end up saddling owners with unaffordable costs. Condo owners in the Sunshine State are facing enormous costs because of an impending deadline that means older buildings must undergo rigorous tests to see if they are still fit to live in. The Condo Safety Act was passed in 2022 in response to the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium building in Surfside, a Miami ...

Calls are mounting for a Special Session to address rising costs and potential fines stemming from Florida’s relatively new condominium laws. However, according to Miami Rep. Vicki Lopez, one of the main architects of the legislation, it is now too soon.  Lopez said there simply isn’t enough information now to get it right, and that won’t change until at least January, when assessments are due on how much reserve funding every condo building in the state needs for repairs.    Read ...

Several condo’s Home Owner Associations (HOAs) have joined a new a regional alliance to continue the fight to ease the crushing costs imposed on them by a state law.  The alliance is trying to mitigate the financial impact of new Florida laws that mandate a Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) for all buildings three stories or higher within three miles of a shoreline, to be completed by the end of this year, and force HOAs to fully fund reserve funds ...

Miami Beach Fire responded to reports of a fire on the fourth floor of a Miami Beach condo.  Officials say the fire was contained to one unit.  Other residents, along with their pets, evacuated the building and were observed waiting at the entrance of the condo to get the all clear from officials before going back inside.   Read the article…………………………….

For Carlos Villalobos, the press conference last March in Miami offered hope that things would finally change for residents of troubled community associations.  Standing in front of news cameras, he described life in the Hammocks, a sprawling community west of Miami where prosecutors say board members embezzled millions of dollars, maintaining power through lawsuits and questionable election practices. With prosecutors and elected officials by his side, he endorsed legislation to crack down on community associations that steal, cheat or threaten ...

Q: I am on the board of our homeowners’ association. I have been reading about all the new required actions our board is supposed to take. One of the new changes deals with sending our documents out. Can you clarify what we are supposed to do?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Question: Our HOA fees include internet and cable. If residents fall behind on their HOA payments, does the board have the ability to turn off their internet and cable until their account is current? Would this depend on the amount of time they have been delinquent?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

I wish to add my two cents to the very incisive comments provided by Ms. Sally Lam in her letter of August 28 addressing the Florida Building Safety Act.  Since the enactment of the above law and identified as SB-4D, additional information has been offered by reputable engineering sources about engineering deficiencies that were associated with the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: I have resided in my HOA neighborhood for over 31 years. We have a new board and therefore we are facing new rules. Among other things, the board has passed a rule stating that we need to clean our roofs. I have a 2-story home and I don’t want anyone on my roof.  What can I do about this?  Read the Q&A………………………………..

For many Floridians, living within a Homeowners Association (HOA) can feel like navigating a complex web of rules and regulations that often seem more restrictive than beneficial or sometimes even predatory. A recent survey conducted by the Florida Homeowners Association Reform Coalition reveals just how pervasive this sentiment is. The poll found that a staggering 72% of respondents are dissatisfied with their HOA experiences, with a notable 65% pointing to a lack of transparency and fairness and 58% criticizing the ...

Property insurance costs in Florida continued to rise between the first and second quarters of the year, and condo associations have been hit hardest during that time.  The average cost of a commercial condo association policy — the kind that covers common properties like roofs, structures, and irrigation systems — jumped 6.6% in the second quarter, and over the past two years has more than doubled, increasing by 103% from $72,570 to $147,381, according to newly released data by the ...

A judge has ruled that a man who was seen pointing a rifle from a balcony in a South Beach condo won’t be allowed to return to the condominium.  The judge’s decision came after lawyers representing the Miami Beach condo association filed an emergency motion to ban Kelvin Veras from the property because of what they described as an “ongoing dangerous, harassing” behavior at the condo.     Read the article…………………………….

Aging South Florida condos face critical issues, including maintenance backlogs, insufficiencies in reserves, and potential financial burdens on owners due to special assessments.  The situation has raised concerns about declining property values and the long-term viability of these structures.  Inventory is up. Prices are down, and buyers are weary of aging condo buildings.   Read the article…………………………….

Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, was at WPTV on Thursday afternoon to talk with us about the state’s condo crisis.  Condos are now buckling under the weight of rising insurance after new laws were implemented following the Surfside tragedy in 2021.  A looming deadline this year for assessments has forced many owners to sell their homes.   Read the article…………………………….

A woman who admitted to filling a drainpipe in her neighborhood with concrete is now facing a $250 fine, daily, if she does not fix the issue this month.  Neighbors who live in Shadow Bay in Longwood packed into a code enforcement hearing in front of a special magistrate Thursday to see if any action would be taken against the woman.   Read the article…………………………….

Federal investigators of the 2021 building collapse that killed 98 people in Surfside announced they expect to release their report in 2026, not next year as planned……“Unfortunately, we have faced technical and programmatic delays,” Mitrani-Reiser told the committee during the NCST meeting.   Read the article…………………………….

Owners at Hunters Run may soon have to give up the equity or refund they were promised when they initially bought at the golf course community.  At stake is $49 million worth of equity that older owners were supposed to get back when they eventually sold. Some of the refunds are as much as $32,000. The Hunters Run board argues that it needs the $49 million to pay for capital improvements. The alternative, it say, is a special assessment that ...

The costs associated with living in a condo in Florida have skyrocketed in recent years, prompting Gov. Ron DeSantis to hold a roundtable discussion this week in South Florida.  This is an issue that WPTV has been closely following amid the state’s coverage collapse. WPTV’s Matt Sczesny reported in July that condo owners are getting a double whammy of insurance hikes — first with policies for condo associations and then individual policies for their units.   Read the article…………………………….

Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan thinks Gov. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers should go back to work soon to address reforms for condo associations.  Ryan calls the looming deadline for reforms “priority one.” He’s explicit in what he worries the rules could lead to if they aren’t changed.   Read the article…………………………….

Wilshaw said the landslide won’t stop until it flattens out or reaches a stable angle. So, a geotechnical engineer needs to try and stabilize it.  “It may need a seawall or a sheet pile steel wall at the toe to stop it from moving any further,” Wilshaw said.  Jamison said she reached out to her Homeowners Association and hasn’t gotten any help yet.  “The last conversation I had with them, they were reaching out to their attorney and to see ...

Homeowners in a downtown Miami condo building are sleeping with no air conditioning Monday night after a water pipe burst over the weekend.  Neighbors haven’t had A/C since Saturday, and there’s been a heat advisory every day since. That heat index in Miami on Monday reached 106 degrees – and the A/C wasn’t the only problem at Biscayne 50.   Read the article…………………………….

Two months after saying it was up to lawmakers to convene a special session to address an affordability crisis among condo owners, Gov. Ron DeSantis now is urging the Legislature to move on the issue before the end of the year.  “It needs to be done this calendar year,” DeSantis said Monday during a meeting in Miami Lakes to discuss the condo issue.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida’s new condo inspection laws enacted after the Surfside condo collapse are impacting apartment renters as evictions soar.  The strict condo safety measures are threatening affordable housing across Florida with the lower income areas being hit the hardest, according to World Matrix.  There are nearly a half-million renter households in the Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties paying $1500 a month on average.    Read the article…………………………….

Following the 2021 Surfside condo collapse — which killed 98 people due to construction flaws — Florida is requiring stricter safety standards and more frequent inspections, while many condo associations are raising fees to build a larger reserve for repairs.  The Cricket Club’s condo board recently proposed a nearly $30 million special assessment for repairs, like roof replacement and facade waterproofing — coming to more than $134,000 per unit owner.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: Our condominium has been condemned because of structural damage that, to quote the receiver, “go back to the original construction of the buildings, but that was not known until we did our in-depth investigation since my appointment.”  I am at a loss as to how this building inspection was passed   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Residents of the Shadowbay neighborhood in Seminole County are upset with severe flooding after heavy rain in recent days caused water to cover North Shadowbay Boulevard and surrounding areas.  Mark Rodriguez, director of the Shadowbay Club Homeowner Association, described the flooding as the worst the community has ever experienced.    Read the article…………………………….

Being able to walk outside and enjoy the ocean is a big reason why Marianne Meischeid bought her Surfside condo in 2002.  “I take walks every day,” she said, adding she always knew she wanted to enjoy retirement in South Florida. “This was the plan 22 years ago.”   Read the article…………………………….

Old Port Cove Towers condo president Mike Beck says windstorm insurance is over a million dollars in North Palm Beach building   Watch the video………………………….

When we first introduced you to Thereza Teixeira, she talked about the impact of an $81,000 special assessment that was imposed by her condo HOA last year.  “It’s a huge hit,” she told us.  A financial hit she’ll be dealing with for 20 years. But that’s not the only reason why what she pays for her condo has soared since she bought her unit in Aventura 14 years ago.    Read the article…………………………….

One person has died after a partial collapse of scaffolding at an oceanfront condo on Miami Beach on Tuesday…..The Villa di Mare condo is undergoing a $2 million concrete restoration, painting and stucco project, according to Miami Beach records. The building was built in 2002 and has 13 units. Each unit occupies an entire floor, covering more than 4,600 square feet, and sells for more than $4.5 million each.    Read the article…………………………….

With snarled traffic, disappearing open space and the recent devastating flooding, anti-development sentiment in Sarasota has never been higher. Wary elected officials are seeing this sentiment show up in local elections.  That makes how the city is handling one proposed project puzzling.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: One of the board members of our homeowners’ association has attended only one meeting in the past year and has not provided any reasons for their absences. I found no clear guidelines in our association’s documents on how to handle such situation. Our board president is content to tolerate the absences. Are there any restrictions in the Florida Statutes that would prevent us from amending our bylaws to allow for the removal of a director who misses a certain ...

As investor-backed firms buy up homes across the country, policymakers at every level are considering how to limit Wall Street’s control of the housing market.  In Congress, Democrats have proposed a bill that would require hedge funds to sell off single-family homes over the next decade   Read the article…………………………….

A note taped to the bulletin board in the hallway of a Kendall condominium complex alerted residents that water will be shut off because payment has not been received.  According to condo owner Hilda Conley, it wouldn’t be the first time.  “We came home three or four weeks ago, and the water had been shut off since 2 p.m.,” Conley told NBC6 on Tuesday.   Read the article…………………………….

The condo market is entering a free fall.  Unit owners are running out of time — and options. Meanwhile, Florida’s 3rd District Court of Appeals sits on a case that could unleash new opportunities for unit owners … or make today’s condo crisis a real catastrophe.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: Our association mandates that every homeowner join the golf club. How can the residents do anything to change this ruling when so many do not want to belong to the club? It is expensive and makes it difficult to sell our condominiums.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Residents across Florida are pushing back against more development, including people in the Tarpon Woods golf community in Pinellas County.  They’re worried the course could be converted from greenspace into more homes.  News Channel 8 learned that the charity that owned the golf course sold it to an LLC two years ago.   Read the article…………………………….

Residents have been slowly clearing out of Heron Pond Condominiums’ 304 units since last fall, after the city of Pembroke Pines declared 13 of the property’s 19 buildings to be structurally unsound.  In July, the last remaining residents received notice that they, too, needed to vacate the 1980s-era complex. By Thursday, all occupants must move out of the condo, which has been in disrepair for years.   Read the article…………………………….

The 40-year recertification of Commodore Plaza has been overdue for 13 years. The city of Aventura has been issuing violations and now the 654 property owners fear an upcoming Miami-Dade County unsafe structures hearing could mean they have to leave their units.   Read the article…………………………….

Time has run out for any residents left in a Broward County condominium.  People living in Heron Pond Condominium have to be out by the end of Thursday.  The saga began in August of 2023, when residents in over half of the buildings at the condo complex were ordered out after the city of Pembroke Pines deemed them unsafe.   Read the article…………………………….

Homeowners at the Riverside Village Estates in Pasco County say they are rejoicing after winning a decades-long battle to preserve more than 40-acres of land in their community.  The discussion of turning a wooded area into a multi-story development has ended after county commissioners and homeowners reached an agreement.    Read the article…………………………….

For many Floridians, living within a Homeowners Association (HOA) can feel like navigating a complex web of rules and regulations that often seem more restrictive than beneficial or sometimes even predatory. A recent survey conducted by the Florida Homeowners Association Reform Coalition reveals just how pervasive this sentiment is.   Read the article…………………………….

A resident of Palm Beach County is seeking justice after a scooter accident allegedly caused by hazardous conditions at a local condominium complex. Milan Pavlik filed a complaint on August 15, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Flagler Landing Condominium Association, Inc., Triton Property Management, LLC, and Fresh Start BSC, Inc.   Read the article…………………………….

The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue investigated a condominium fire at Egypt Lake Beach Club Condominium early Tuesday morning.  HCFR responded to a call around 2 a.m. reporting heavy smoke coming from the building. Once on the scene, HCFR confirmed a working fire with smoke and flames coming from the third-story complex.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I am a member of a homeowners’ association that was established with governing documents written and recorded in 1994. Recently, I received a packet for an upcoming association meeting, which included an item on the agenda about renewing our governing documents under the Marketable Record Title Act. This packet also included a notice informing the membership that these documents will be preserved for future generations, and notably, it stated that this action does not require a vote by the ...

Question: Our HOA sent out a letter on July 1 asking for payment on an assessment for more than $12,000, to be paid in full within 30 days.  Forget for the moment that it is an assessment for the roofs of the townhomes and not our villas, or that six out of the seven board members who voted that the roofs should be redone (despite that only a few are in disrepair) are townhome owners!   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Residents of the Heron Pond condominium complex in Pembroke Pines have only one weekend left to get their belongings out and evacuate.  The complex is starting to feel like a ghost town, with only a few residents’ vehicles left.  “We didn’t expect that they would tell us all of a sudden that we need to move out of here,” said resident Washif Ansar.   Read the article…………………………….

Demolition work is underway on Fort Myers Beach. Crews are knocking down the Strandview Condominiums.  The condos have been sitting untouched since Hurricane Ian. While it’s not known what will fill the lot, people who owned condos in the building are asking questions.   Read the article…………………………….

Condo owners are going into foreclosure, selling, taking out loans, going back to work or, as one condo owner in Ormond-by-the-Sea, said, not doing “anything in my life because all of my money is going, right now, so that I’ve got a place to live.” The condo owner wished to remain anonymous but noted they lived at Surfside Club South for close to six years.   Read the article…………………………….

With the November election quickly approaching, it’s Your Community, Your Vote. And one issue Florida voters will consider when heading to the ballot box is the cost of property insurance. Major storms, along with the rising cost of rates, have combined to create financial challenges for property owners along the coast.   Read the article…………………………….

In Tampa, FL, the median monthly homeowners association (HOA) fee jumped 17.2% year over year during the three months ending July 31. That’s the steepest increase among the 43 U.S. metropolitan areas Redfin analyzed, and compares with a median increase of 5.7% across those metros. Next came two other Florida metros: Orlando (16.7%) and Fort Lauderdale (16.2%). HOA fees also rose in West Palm Beach (12.8%), Jacksonville (7.6%) and Miami (5.7%).    Read the article…………………………….

The president of Florida’s Senate has confirmed that no special session will be convened to reconsider condominium safety legislation despite growing concerns from owners about the financial burden it imposes.   Read the article…………………………….

Fulk went on vacation for three weeks in July and came back to his lawn almost entirely dead because his sprinklers didn’t work.  While some neighbors had the time to hand water their lawns, others in Settler’s Landing like Fulk are now left having to replace their dead lawns – thanks to their homeowners association (HOA) requirements.   Read the article…………………………….

Many are still rebuilding after hurricanes Ian and Nicole caused widespread destruction in Daytona Beach Shores.  “We ended up having to replace the roofs on both of our buildings. We had to put in a brand new seawall,” said Nanette Mckeel Petrella, Castaways Beach Resort condo owner.    Read the article…………………………….

WPTV investigative reporter Dave Bohman is digging into how many condominiums have actually had their mandated safety inspections in Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast   Read the article…………………………….

The neighbor above her condo has a leak she just won’t fix. The water pours down, month after month. How can you fix that problem? That’s where Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser steps in.  One certainty in South Florida: water, the ocean, the bay, pools, ponds, and in Marilyn’s case, the walls.   Read the article…………………………….

Approximately thirty families residing in a condominium complex in Hialeah, many of whom are of Cuban descent, have been without electricity since Thursday following a fire in the electrical room. The incident occurred around 5 AM at 1255 West 49th Place. After the blaze, Florida Power & Light (FPL) quickly cut off the power but did not proceed with further repairs as the damage was within an area managed by the condominium association.   Read the article…………………………….

The company behind the very much delayed “The Residences — Mandarin Oriental Boca Raton” is refusing to refund the $1.3M deposit paid by the buyer of a condominium, even though the building remains under construction years after it was supposed to be complete.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: My hurricane shutters were removed to do concrete restoration work. They were taken down prior to July 1, 2024. Since the restoration is not finished, who is responsible to put them back up? Also, when the shutters were taken down, they worked fine, but the manner in which they were taken down damaged the shutters, and so I cannot reinstall them. Is the association and or the contractor responsible for the damage to the shutters?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Skyrocketing insurance premiums in areas of Florida prone to flooding, like the neighborhood of Shore Acres, are leading to a spike in the number of homeowners trying to sell their properties, as reported in a video by real estate expert Nick Gerli.   Watch the video………………………….

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo on Friday ruled out a special legislative session to address problems facing condominium associations and owners, including soaring costs.

Florida lawmakers likely won’t take action soon to relieve a brewing condominium crisis that could see thousands of owners priced out of their homes.  In a letter to state senators on Friday, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, rejected calls to reconvene the Legislature before March to amend new condo safety laws passed in the wake of the Champlain Towers collapse that killed 98 people.   Read the article…………………………….

There are growing concerns and calls for a special legislative session in Tallahassee to battle a growing issue among condo owners.  Buildings older than 30 years old must have inspections and critical repairs completed by Dec. 31, or owners and associations could face fines.    Read the article…………………………….

Residents living in a Brickell condominium are without air conditioning again.  NBC6 reported last July that many residents in tower three of the Four Ambassadors went without A/C for over a week.  Over a year later, on Thursday, residents contacted NBC6 saying the air conditioning was out again.    Read the article…………………………….

Owning a condo has become a stressful, expensive mess for many Floridians. And it’s only getting worse.  Older condo buildings face a deadline near the end of the year to have their structures inspected, under state regulations put in place following the partial building collapse in Surfside in 2021.     Read the article…………………………….

Donald Trump wants to sell more high-end condos in the US, this time using a famously difficult Florida golf course as a draw.  The former president’s family business is seeking to build residences and retail inside the Trump National Doral Miami resort, according to documents posted on a City of Doral website. The property covers more than 600 acres and currently features a hotel and four golf courses, including the Blue Monster, which is notorious among golfers for its numerous ...

Four families including children in West Perrine say they’ve been without power for more than two weeks, and they don’t know when they’ll get it back……He said the homeowner’s association provided an explanation that the families are skeptical about: a rat was electrocuted after it bit into a central line.    Read the article…………………………….

Following the evacuation of three condo buildings in St. Lucie County, WPBF is taking a deep dive into recently released videos and records detailing the damage.  The videos are from an inspection on the condominiums at Villa del Sol and were taken by the inspector on site.    Read the article…………………………….

The remaining residents at Heron Pond Condominium have until Aug. 29 to vacate their homes after the city of Pembroke Pines deemed buildings unsafe. NBC6 Investigates how the complex got to this point and the allegations against the previous board.  Read the article…………………………….

Transparency, training, and accountability: Those are the big things condo HOAs are starting to see shifts in one month into a series of new condo laws.  HOA boards are now required to provide full financial disclosure to tenants; take training courses; and seek out thorough inspections of their buildings.    Read the article…………………………….

The City of Aventura is enforcing stricter building safety measures after Commodore Plaza failed its 40-year recertification due to structural issues. The city issued a Notice of Violation and is working with officials to ensure repairs, while expanding inspections and proposing stricter safety regulations.    Read the article…………………………….

The usually sleepy condo board meeting had devolved into dissension.  At On Top of the World Clearwater, a huge retirement complex, dozens of residents packed a cavernous auditorium in July as two sheriff’s deputies stood watch. The attendees were searching for answers and, perhaps, someone to blame.   Read the article…………………………….

WPTV has obtained new information and video that gives us a closer look at what prompted St. Lucie County inspectors to evacuate a Jensen Beach condo complex last week over safety concerns.  Late Monday afternoon, the St. Lucie County Office of Communications released a video through a public records request to WPTV Reporter Ethan Stein taken by the engineers inspecting the Villa Del Sol condos.   Read the article…………………………….

A homeowner’s association is facing a lawsuit over alleged negligence that resulted in significant property damage. Sandra Berry filed a complaint against Hidden Bay Villas Association, Inc. in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on July 31, 2024.   Read the article…………………………….

Homeowners associations and community condominium boards can be highly influential in Florida with their covenants and residential stipulations. They can influence city councils and county commissions and often can be contentious with their own residents. That’s why the Tyson Group National Research Firm has conducted a unique survey of people who live under the guidance of HOA’s and condo boards in the Sunshine State.   Read the article…………………………….

After five decades working as a teacher and school administrator, Janet Stone envisioned a relaxing retirement in her condo overlooking Florida’s Atlantic coast.  Instead, she’s gone back to work teaching preschoolers with disabilities and living with her son in Las Vegas to pay off a $100,000 bill from her condo association — her portion of a multimillion-dollar project to replace the 53-year-old building’s deteriorating concrete.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: Many of my neighbors in my adult community are displaying a flag that, to me, represents hatred and intolerance. What, if anything, can be done to prevent the display of this flag in the community? I do not see anything in the rules on this subject.  Read the Q&A………………………………..

December 31 marks the deadline for condos already 30 years or older to have the first round of inspections completed under the SB 4-D Bill, a regulation passed in May 2022 following the tragic collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside on June 24, 2021. Ninety-eight people died in the incident, which investigations traced back to flawed designs and features that did not meet building codes.   Read the article…………………………….

Q. Our Board of Directors meetings are recorded, and I understand that the recordings have not been retained by the Association. I have seen discrepancies between the minutes and what actually happened, but the recordings have been deleted. Shouldn’t the recordings be kept as a legal record of the matter for a period of seven years?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

If a property insurer is going to object to an appraisal panel member’s fee arrangement, it must do so early in the process – not after the panel provides an unfavorable, multimillion-dollar appraisal award.   Read the article…………………………….

Six Perdido Key condo owners are suing Escambia County over the public easement on their beachfront properties.  The public easement was discovered last year on the original land deeds from the 1950s. It says the U.S. government made the first 75 feet from the water public property.  But the condo owners say that portion of the beach is theirs. And they’re taking the county to court.    Read the article…………………………….

Three buildings inside a St. Lucie County community were evacuated Thursday afternoon after an inspection determined the buildings were unsafe.  The property manager at Villa del Sol in Jensen Beach sent an email to residents alerting them to the findings of the inspection and telling them they had to evacuate.    Read the article…………………………….

Listings for condos in Florida are surging as changes requiring regular checks on older properties come into force and homeowners association (HOA) expenses continue to rise. Experts have warned that the number of condos up for sale is likely to continue skyrocketing, especially in South Florida, where the tragic Surfside condo collapse took place on June 24, 2021. Craig Studnicky, CEO and broker at ISG World, told NBC Miami that he’s “very concerned” about the condo market in South Florida.  ...

The storm did millions of dollars in damage to the condo complex on Little Hickory.  Ian’s 12-foot storm surge yanked all the greenery out by the roots and carried it away. It sucked the one-story pool house out to sea, leaving only debris and a foundation behind.  It vanished 8-foot-high steel lockers that lined the parking lot, filled the pool with twisted metal and concrete, and pulled down the plumbing and electrical lines, leaving them tangled on the ground, like ...

South Florida condo owners, burdened by spiraling insurance, repair bills and a new state law, saw their association fees shoot up nearly 60% over the past five years — driving some to consider difficult financial decisions to make their next HOA payment.   Read the article…………………………….

Naples-area condo owner Jim Boehme shows photos of the millions in damage Ian did, and he and other condo owners have paid to repair.   Video news report……………………..

Last year, the Florida Legislature passed SB 4-D with the stated purpose of safeguarding the millions of Floridians living in older multifamily buildings. Known as the Condo Safety Law, SB 4-D requires periodic engineering inspections for buildings three stories and higher and mandates that associations reserve funds to pay for ongoing maintenance and repair projects.  How then, did the Florida Legislature this session pass SB 360, a bill that extinguishes homeowner rights and destroys developer/contractor accountability for the work they ...

The annual awards recognize neighborhood associations that have enriched the quality of life in neighborhoods in unincorporated Hillsborough County. The awards highlight neighborhood organizations that have fostered healthy, safe and engaged neighborhoods through exceptional programs, projects and events.?   Read the article…………………………….

Florida is at the forefront of climate disaster, rattled by four major hurricanes since 2017 (Irma, Michael, Ian, and Idalia), which caused the deaths of almost 300 Floridians and resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses.  As flooding persists with regularity and warming waters facilitate increasingly severe hurricanes, the state has pursued a deregulatory approach to resuscitate its death-spiraling property insurance market. Not only have carriers fled Florida in droves, but numerous others have become insolvent amid ...

A note taped to the bulletin board in the hallway of a Kendall condominium complex alerted residents that water will be shut off because payment has not been received.  According to a condo owner Hilda Conley, it wouldn’t be the first time.  “We came home three or four weeks ago, and the water had been shut off since 2 p.m.,” Conley told NBC6 on Tuesday.   Read the article…………………………….

The Florida legislature had a very busy session earlier this year, passing some far-reaching Bills related to residential Owners Associations, HB-1203 for HOAs and HB-1021 for Condominiums.  The Governor signed them into law in time for their effective date of July 1, so we now have notable changes in the laws regulating HOAs and Condominiums in our State.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: Our HOA has an amendment that was recorded in 1998 that purports to give the power to make further amendments to the board of directors, without the input of the owners. The problem is that this 1998 amendment was never voted on by our owners, and the declaration would have required membership approval in order to be amended this way in the first place.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Many condominium residents are blissfully unaware of how an impending deadline will affect their bank accounts and, in some cases, their mailing addresses.  John Cadden, managing principal of Condominium Advisory Group, said others realize the potential effects but remain “in total denial.” The people and investment firms operating over 200 buildings in St. Petersburg must comply with new legislation and complete Milestone Inspection Reports by Dec. 31.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I recall you saying that board decisions could not be made via email or phone call. If it is required to document decisions in Board meeting minutes, can you point me to the exact regulation that specifies that? Are there any acceptable methods to document decisions outside of a meeting?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Christy Rojas has lived in the same condo unit in Southwest Miami-Dade for about 20 years. She pays over $600 a month in HOA dues and a special assessment, double her mortgage amount, she said.  “There’s always a special assessment,” she said. “You either pay for it, or you sell and leave.”  But leaving for some may not be as easy.    Read the article…………………………….

We’ve seen a complete transformation on Fort Myers Beach over the last two years.  In the beginning of September of 2022, It was a quaint beach community. A few weeks later, Hurricane Ian changed everything.  Now, the community is rebuilding and, in some cases, starting fresh. The Strandview condos will soon be demolished to make space for new possibilities.    Read the article…………………………….

Since bats are important to the ecosystem, state law can still protect them — even if they’re in your home or on your private property. This is especially true from April 15 to Aug. 16, where all attempts to handle, disturb or exclude bats is highly illegal because it’s mating season.   Video news report……………………..

In Jupiter, West Palm Beach and throughout Florida, many owners of waterfront condos face a stark choice: Should I stay, or should I go?……Laws enacted in the aftershock of the Surfside collapse require that buildings three stories and taller undergo in-depth structural inspections at 30 years of age, and every 10 years thereafter. Associations also are now required to amass reserves to cover future costs of the inevitable repairs, all while continuing to pay for normal maintenance, on top of ...

South Florida condo residents, especially those in older buildings, are being hit with crushing special assessments. When they can’t pay, they face foreclosure. It’s why residents of one building turned to Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.  We met with six condo owners. But it could have been 600 or 6,000, all using the same words.  Vicki LaRue: “They want a special assessment.”   Read the article…………………………….

Years after the Surfside collapse, South Florida is in a condo crisis. Upcoming safety deadlines are pressuring condo owners to pay more than they can afford. CBS News Miami explores how meeting state requirements to keep condo buildings safer is pricing some people out of their forever homes.  “I am being forced out,” exclaimed Sue Casey.     Read the article…………………………….

Q: I read your post about a unit owner’s right to speak at meetings. What are the remedies if this is denied?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Florida condo owners are getting a double whammy of insurance hikes — first with policies for condo associations and then individual policies for their units.  “I’ve thought several times (about) moving, but everything I look at will end up costing me more money than I’m spending here,” said Stephen Towle who lives in a condo west of Boca Raton.    Read the article…………………………….

A Volusia County HOA said they will go forward with collecting 20 cents plus late fees from a woman who made a mistake on her payment, shorting it two dimes.   WFTV introduced you to Carolyn Babcock in June. She was paying the household bills for the first time while her husband was in a nursing home and because of that, she was late on her HOA bill.   Read the article…………………………….

Accusations of voter suppression flew in Baldwin Park after residents received letters in the mail demanding they take down the political signs in their yards.   However, residents said the letters only targeted signs supporting three candidates challenging incumbents for seats on the community’s HOA board.    Read the article…………………………….

In Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood, many older buildings have been torn down and replaced by new gleaming high-rise condominiums. But on a prime waterfront spot in the neighborhood, there’s an older building that’s now vacant.    Read the article…………………………….

What has been killing the fish, ducks and birds in a lake at DeLand’s Victoria Park?  Residents aren’t sure but the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is looking into the problem.   Raquel Levy, a personal injury attorney who runs Atlantic Law Center and lives in the development, said her two daughters were out collecting residents’ signatures Wednesday on a petition demanding that the development’s association address the issue.    Read the article…………………………….

The homeowners association at the Cascades Community got the water tested in November 2023 by Advanced Aquatics.  The testing showed fecal bacteria at very high levels. The testing company then treated it, but the water got stinky again.  So, Maier reached out to a Florida Gulf Coast University professor of marine science, James Douglass.      Read the article…………………………….

Milillo’s aging condominium — a three-story art deco artifact from the early 1960s — is one of an untold number of South Florida buildings developers are soliciting as they hunt for waterfront deals in the wake of new laws that followed the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse.  The new statutes, which were enacted to ensure the safety of condominiums and thwart future tragedy, include approaching deadlines for building inspections and the specter of costly fixes that associations won’t be able to ...

Some 33,000 Floridians will be getting notified through next year that Allstate’s Florida subsidiaries are dropping their insurance policies, and some are getting the news during a particularly nerve-wracking time to start looking for coverage: hurricane season.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Is it possible to change the size of the Board from seven directors to five directors?  Read the Q&A………………………………..

Residents living in an Aventura high-rise wonder if it’s safe to stay after the Commodore Plaza received a violation from the city saying it failed to comply with the 40-year recertification.  Residents tell CBS News Miami they pay over a thousand monthly in association fees and question how this could happen.   Read the article…………………………….

About 1 in every 7 Floridian homeowners is choosing to go without property insurance, despite the high risk of catastrophic weather events such as hurricanes and floods, according to research from the Insurance Information Institute.  More homeowners around the country have had to make tough decisions in the face of rising costs for property and casualty insurance in recent years. However, Mark Friedlander, director, corporate communications, Insurance Information Institute, said the issue is even more exaggerated in Florida.     Read ...

Florida homebuyers are backed out of deals to purchase properties at a record rate, according to a new report from real estate brokerage Redfin, as prices continue rising and mortgage rates aren’t budging.  In June, nearly 56,000 home-purchase agreements were canceled in the Sunshine State, the equivalent of roughly 14.9 percent of all homes that went under contract that month. It’s the highest percentage of any June on record.   Read the article…………………………….

A squatter who illegally took over a condo in Florida has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.  Olandis Hobbs, 37 was sentenced on Tuesday after being found guilty earlier this month of using false documents to take ownership of an approximately $700,000 condo in the Panama City Beach area, according to the State Attorney’s Office of the 14th Judicial Circuit.    Read the article…………………………….

There is a crush of condos built in 1994 or earlier for sale in South Florida — almost 18,000 condos of that vintage were on the market in the second quarter. About nine of every 10 condos for sale in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties dates back to at least 1994, according to real estate sales and marketing firm ISG Worldwide.   Read the article…………………………….

As condominium owners throughout the state face significant hikes in their homeowner association assessments, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said it’s up to the Legislature to convene a special session to fix the law that spurred the increases.  “If the Legislature has ideas about how to make this more sensible for people, I’m totally open to all that,” DeSantis told reporters during an appearance in Aventura on Thursday.   Read the article…………………………….

A candidate for Florida Senate this August is facing charges of grand theft in Orange County involving a homeowner’s association, with a trial scheduled to start in September.  Cheryl Blancett, 63, is facing charges that stem from a years-long investigation into the theft of nearly $48,000 from a homeowners association for a neighborhood in east Orange County. According to the arrest report, the officers for the Sawgrass Estates HOA hired Blancett to manage their subdivision    Read the article…………………………….

A former property management worker for a Kendall condo association was arrested Monday, accused of stealing more than $55,000 of community money that was found in her personal bank account.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: We have an owner at our condominium complex who insists that owners who put their condos on the market as short-term rentals do not have to allow assistance animals under any circumstances. That is because they claim short term rentals are exempt from the FHA.  They say that short term renters are ‘guests’ and that a homeowner can prohibit whatever they want for guests inside their homes    Read the Q&A………………………………..

The remaining residents of a condominium community deemed unsafe in Pembroke Pines have been given roughly a month to leave.  Last year, unsafe structure notices were issued for seven buildings within the Heron Pond Condominium community, 8400 SW 1st Street, that have since been fully evacuated. Additionally, specific units in the seven other buildings were also evacuated. Those ordered to leave did not know if or when they would be allowed to return.    Read the article…………………………….

A recent court filing reveals a dramatic legal battle unfolding in Pinellas County, Florida. On July 11, 2024, Christopher Barling filed a complaint against Dockside Condominium Association Clearwater Beach, Inc., alleging negligence that led to his injury while staying at one of their properties.   Read the article…………………………….

A 54-year-old woman is accused of a multi-year fraud scheme involving a condominium association she worked for in The Hammocks.  Ivonne Leon was an administrative assistant for the Royal Palm Place Condominium Association, responsible for collecting payments from residents and depositing into the association’s account, an arrest report stated.  However, Leon is accused of depositing the money to her personal account over the course of three years, after altering checks originally made payable to the association, prosecutors said.   Read the ...

The deadly Surfside Condo collapse in 2021 sparked statewide urgency to meet new safety requirements. But right now, hundreds of condo buildings in the Tampa Bay area are on a deadline.  Florida condos have just five months to complete re-inspections by December 31, but some of them may not make it for a variety of reasons.   Read the article…………………………….

Homeowner’s associations can bring a lot to a community, but a Florida law that took effect July 1 aims to crack down on HOAs and push for more transparency and accountability.  “It’s got its good points, and it’s got its weak points,” said Antonella Puntillo, a Babcock Ranch resident.  House Bill 1203 mandates that HOAs provide detailed notices of board meetings and items to be voted on.    Read the article…………………………….

Yet another torrid tale has emerged of Florida homeowners being hit with eye-watering special assessment fees as building managers race to be in compliance with a new state law.  This time, it’s the residents of SurfSide Club South in Ormond Beach crying foul after they were billed over $100,000 per condo owner.  Per the new Florida law, all three-story-plus condo buildings and at least 30 years old must undergo a mandatory engineering assessment before Dec. 31, 2024.    Read the article…………………………….

A resident of Palm Beach County has launched a defamation lawsuit against her homeowners association and several board members, alleging a campaign of falsehoods that have severely damaged her reputation. Maureen Stafford filed the complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on July 12, 2024, targeting the Lakeridge Falls Homeowners Association and its board members.    Read the article…………………………….

Peter Hsu steers his SUV around the streets of Glen Lakes, pointing to the home construction sites at Gentle Ben Court and asking if anyone else would want such a sight in their community.  He and several other residents of the country club subdivision off U.S. 19 have raised concerns with the Hernando County Commission as the builder, ARC Homes, sought variances on a corner lot on Gentle Ben Court.   Read the article…………………………….

The following letter comes in following up to a previous column in which a writer reported that condo residents were skirting a no-pet policy by submitting “emotional support animal paperwork that seems fraudulent, as they appear to have gone online and paid for certificates.”    Read the article…………………………….

A tragic incident involving a malfunctioning elevator has led to a significant lawsuit against three companies. On July 12, 2024, Jamise Bozeman Jr. filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Oracle Elevator Holdco, Inc., Premier Elevator Company, Inc., and Sea Ranch Club of Boca Condominium Association, Inc.   Read the article…………………………….

It seems like the perfect storm right now for South Florida’s high-rise market.  Condo deals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties fell double digits in June, according to the latest real estate report — just as condo owners become increasingly strapped by rising homeowners association fees aimed at meeting new legal requirements to maintain larger maintenance reserves after the Surfside condo collapse.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I made a request to inspect and copy the official records of my HOA. I only asked to see about 10 pages of records. I was told that I had to pay 25 cents per page for the records. I thought the HOA law provided that an owner could get up to 25 pages free of charge. Is this true?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

In a matter of weeks, the HOA Board at On Top of the World Retirement Community has flipped. Five members quit in May, followed by eight more members at a meeting on July 15.  For several days, the HOA was essentially defunct. With only one member of the nine-person board, there was no quorum, so the association’s day-to-day business could not proceed.    Read the article…………………………….

When The Eagles sang “This could be heaven or this could be hell” about the Hotel California, they could easily have been describing the dual nature of living in a condominium.  Condo living certainly has its benefits — it can be delicious to rely on some association to patch your roof, keep the landscaping looking great and clean the swimming pool…..Her debut novel Alice in Condoland takes a humorous approach to the dilemma of waking up one day to discover your ...

More than 75 million Americans live in subdivisions or other communities with homeowner associations (HOAs) that require them to pay monthly fees and follow a set of rules.  And Floridians who live in places with homeowner associations finally have laws to regulate what HOAs can and can’t do to them.   Read the article…………………………….

If you are one of more than 40 percent of Floridians who lives in a community governed by a homeowner’s association, you may have heard a legal term recently regarding bylaws, covenants and declarations.   It’s called “Kaufman language” based on the 1977 case of Kaufman vs. Shere, which affects governing documents for HOAs.   Read the article…………………………….

Miami’s housing market is flooded with aging condos which owners are desperate to sell before strict new regulations come into force later this year, according to a recent report from ISG World.  Talking about an “impending crisis,” the report found that older condos dominate the market: nearly 90 percent of active listings in the southeast Florida city are condos that are more than 30 years old, while only 3 percent are less than a decade old.  Read the article…………………………….

With more than 300 homeowners associations registered in Sarasota County, local residents may want to check out a new law that took effect July 1.  For many Florida homeowners, that marked the day they could finally relax a little.  As of July 1, a new law limiting what homeowner associations in the state can do to their members took effect.    Read the article…………………………….

Condominium buildings with roofs too old or too damaged to qualify for insurance will get some relief — the state’s insurer of last resort has agreed to cover the buildings if certain conditions are met.  Condos, mostly, and other commercial buildings were previously able to get insurance through the commercial insurance market for these risks.    Read the article…………………………….

Condominium owners in St. Petersburg face towering uncertainty as over 200 buildings must complete Milestone Inspection Reports by Dec. 31.  A new state law requires mandatory structural studies on older condo buildings with three or more stories. Senate Bill 4-D also requires association boards to increase repair funding reserves, and many owners now face six-figure special assessment fees.   Read the article…………………………….

Bryan Paz-Hernandez’s campaign for the Miami-Dade Commission now has support from the political arm of a community-led homeowners’ association (HOA) group serving residents in the district he hopes to represent at County Hall.  Read the article…………………………….

Residents in 63 units have returned to their units at Laketown Wharf on Front Beach Road.  This comes after Panama City Beach officials issued a mandatory evacuation in April due to safety concerns about the structural integrity of the high-rise condominium.  According to officials they received a complaint on April 4th from a guest about unsafe stairwells in the building. Inspectors said they did an evaluation and found that two of the high-rise condominium’s stairwells were structurally unsound.     Read ...

We’ve told you about the new state law that prevents homeowners’ associations from banning pickup trucks and work trucks from parking in driveways.  It took effect July 1, and already, one Sarasota HOA is saying it will continue to hand out fines and tow vehicles under its existing regulations.  The I-Team is breaking down why the association is still enforcing parking rules despite the new law.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: We have a small 30-unit condominium. We have three units that have dogs, even though our governing documents prohibit pets. Two of these units have submitted emotional support animal paperwork that seems fraudulent, as they appear to have gone online and paid for certificates. As for the third unit, which has three dogs, we have sent two certified letters from our attorney asking for them to provide any paperwork or to remove the dogs, and they’ve ignored us.    ...

Q: I just moved into my home. I was shocked to learn that money posted as a security deposit with the Association for work on my home is not wholly returned. The Association retains $300 of each deposit for its “inspection fees.” Is the HOA required by law to return such deposits once the work is completed?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Question: For the last two years, my fellow condominium board members have been running around with their hair on fire because we have been told the new Florida statutes require us to not only fully fund reserves on an annual basis beginning next year, but also to replace the approximately $4 million that would have been in our reserve accounts had we not waived funding reserves over the last 50 years.  A recent webinar I attended disputed that and said ...

Under a new state law, condominium associations as of July 1 theoretically were able to apply for grants of up to $175,000 to make improvements to strengthen their properties against hurricane damage, but the details and the logistics of the application process will make it practically impossible to get anything done in time for the current hurricane season.   Read the article…………………………….

Condominium buildings with roofs too old or too damaged to qualify for insurance will get some relief — the state’s insurer of last resort has agreed to cover the buildings if certain conditions are met.  Condos, mostly, and other commercial buildings were previously able to get insurance through the commercial insurance market for these risks. But the hardening underwriting market has left a gap     Read the article…………………………….

The city of Destin is looking to bring condominium units that are short- and long-term rentals into the “fold” of the rental program, but at a lesser price for smaller units.  “To me, this is a fairness issue, plain and simple,” council member Jim Bagby said at Monday’s council meeting.  Right now, Destin oversees single and multifamily residential and short- and long-term rental registrations. Condominiums are not included.    Read the article…………………………….

Robin Rodriguez, an HOA board member, told News 6 last month that a developer separated the houses on one side of the street from the HOA in the 1980s.  The developer then created an easement to run a drainage pipe between these two homes that flows out into a retention pond.  Rodriguez said the HOA is not responsible for that.    Read the article…………………………….

After serving local homeowners associations for 45 years, the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation (NAHC) has officially dissolved.  The organization was known for giving its neighborhoods a powerful voice and providing them with the necessary resources to flourish.    Read the article…………………………….

A Palm Beach County resident has filed a lawsuit against a local homeowners association and a realty company, alleging negligence after suffering severe injuries from a fall on an uneven sidewalk. The complaint was filed by Kristin McCuin in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on June 28, 2024, naming VillageWalk of Wellington Home Owners Association, Inc., and Capital Realty Advisors, Inc. as defendants.    Read the article…………………………….

You read that right. A new law, which went into effect on July 1st, limits a homeowner’s association’s powers when it comes to things like parking, trash bins and holiday decorations……Nearly half of Florida residents, almost 10 million people, live in community’s governed by Homeowner’s Associations, or HOAs.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: For the last two years, my fellow condominium board members have been running around with their hair on fire because we have been told the new Florida statutes require us to not only fully fund reserves on an annual basis beginning next year, but also to replace the approximately $4 million that would have been in our reserve accounts had we not waived funding reserves over the last 50 years.  A recent webinar I attended disputed that and said ...

A Florida resident is seeking justice after a dog attack left her with severe injuries. Rose Marie Cozzolino-Smith filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on June 25, 2024, against Margaret Schmidt and Marina Bay Master Community Association, Inc.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Board members think we can charge owners a ‘resort fee’ payable to the Association to make money off rentals. Is that possible? Where is it referenced if possible?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Q: I read your post about a unit owner’s right to speak at meetings. What are the remedies if this is denied? Q: Regarding Hurricane Ian funds received from an insurance company, can they be deposited into the general fund account or should they be kept in a separate account? Read the Q&A………………………………..

State Rep. Vicki Lopez has a recommendation for prospective homebuyers in her district: “I’m telling people not to buy a condominium now.”  It’s been more than three years since the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which claimed the lives of 98 people. Since then, the state has enacted reforms to make condo buildings safer.   Read the article…………………………….

A new law that went into effect Monday strictly limits how much control your Florida homeowners association has over what you do with your home, where you can park and how much you can be fined, among other things.  Does this apply if you live in a condo?    Read the article…………………………….

Question: We live in a duplex in a small community of similar homes. While we are part of a homeowner’s association, they don’t do much. A leak from a roof drain needs to be repaired in the wall between the two homes in our building. The association manager told me it was not their responsibility, and my neighbor wants nothing to do with it. Do I have to pay for all of the repairs myself?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

The homeowners association at Boca Bridges — a relatively new community of million dollar homes on Lyons Road north of Clint Moore, is suing an operating unit of builder GL Homes for mass construction defects and deficiencies. The suit pits “Boca Bridges Homeowners Association” against “Boca Raton Associates VII, LLLP” which is an operating unit of builder and marketer GL Homes — also responsible for The Bridges, Seven Bridges, Lotus, Dakota, the Valencia communities, and the under-construction “Lotus Edge.” GL ...

A reminder as July 4th approaches: while Florida law permits personal use of fireworks on several holidays during the year, your homeowners association may not. And when it comes to HOA rules vs. Florida law, HOAs win in the state. You can be fined and sanctioned for violating your HOAs rules.    Read the article…………………………….

Start planning your backyard vegetable garden. For many Florida homeowners, Monday marked the day they could finally relax a little.  As of July 1, a new law limiting what homeowner associations in the state can do to their members went into effect.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I recently moved into a condominium that provides electrical outlets at each parking space, and I have been using one of these outlets to charge my plug-in hybrid car. The board informed me that I am not allowed to use the outlet because it is considered a common area, and they do not want to cover the cost of charging my car. Installing a separate meter would be very expensive, costing me thousands of dollars. How can I address ...

First responders said heavy smoke and flames were coming from a unit on the 12th floor of the building when crews arrived.  More than 30 units responded to the scene and quickly had the fire under control.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: I am from Chicago where the warning systems are vast and always working for tornados and other dangerous weather conditions.  Our large HOA community has three pools, tennis courts, and 793 homes. We received a notice that our HOA management company has taken the warning systems here out of service. This is concerning with an aging population and severe weather in Florida.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Even Floridians who support a move to lower property taxes in the state say that the proposed bill, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis last week and on the ballot in November, is too little compared to the skyrocketing housing costs they’re facing.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: Board members think we can charge owners a ‘resort fee’ payable to the Association to make money off rentals. Is that possible? Where is it referenced if possible?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

In early 2024, Shantashia Stevenson said she came close to buying her “dream home” within the Townhomes of Wexford community but claimed its HOA got in the way. By the time our story aired, Stevenson had pulled out of the deal and eventually bought a home somewhere else. But that report proved to be just the beginning.  Video news report……………………..

A new state law is making sure condominiums across Florida are more resilient after the Surfside condominium collapse. But complying with the legislation is pricing many condo owners out of their homes.  Right now, many buildings across the state are going through a very stringent inspection process to determine if there are any structural deficiencies.   Read the article…………………………….

“Look, it’s a big issue,” she said Wednesday on FOX Business’ “The Bottom Line.” “I understand the most they can do sometimes on a condo. And that’s literally life-saving. And it’s sad that a situation like that, especially after the Surfside collapse, it’s something to calculate in your mind when you’re buying a condo in Florida.”     Read the article…………………………….

A group of condo owners say their condo association is forcing them to live in unhealthy conditions after Hurricane Ian destroyed their homes. The conditions are so bad many of the residents can’t live in their homes.     Read the article…………………………….

Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl talks with Howard Konetz on the recent condo crisis as nearly 1 million condo units have been impacted by new inspection regulations.     Video news report……………………..

Floridians filing a homeowners insurance claim had the lowest chance in the 50 states of getting a check from their insurer in 2022, with more than a third of claims going unpaid.  And last year, those filing claims with two of the state’s largest, healthiest companies — subsidiaries of State Farm and Allstate — had the lowest chance of all.  Nearly half of all claims closed by those companies last year went unpaid.    Read the article…………………………….

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 licensed community association manager is totally unresponsive.  Read the Q&A………………………………..

There are now just six months left before the state-wide deadline for condo buildings to get their mandatory engineering assessments done. In Volusia County, this costs over $100,000 per condo owner at one building.   “Now it’s over $100,000 per owner,” Huffstetler said. “The hope is, when we get the restoration part done, then the units will be worth more and I can sell. Right now, we’re stuck.”   Read the article…………………………….

On the 3-year anniversary of the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, FL, many look to remember those lost and continue to learn from the tragedy.  “The milestone inspection legislation,” said Shawn McNulty, building official and floodplain administrator with Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners. “This was legislation put in 2 years ago, mandating condominiums and co-op to get these inspections at 30 years of age and every ten years after that. we amended the rule to include ...

His daughters are allergic to grass. He wants to remove it and put down artificial turf. Sounds simple enough. But the association said not so fast so he turned to Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.  Heron Bay is a big community in Parkland. A nice place where Carlos wanted to raise his girls.   Read the article…………………………….

After the collapse, Florida legislators passed a law requiring inspections on buildings more than 30 years old and three stories high. The City of Tampa is working to ensure condo associations follow regulations.  “Now, it is statewide. There are structural requirements that every jurisdiction must receive to review to make sure that these properties stay in compliance and are structurally sound,” said JC Hudgison, the City of Tampa’s chief building official.    Read the article…………………………….

State Sen. Jason Pizzo will never forget the wreckage of the Surfside condo tower in June 2021, and is wondering what the state could do to make sure a similar collapse never happens again.   Video news report……………………..

Monday marks three years since the Champlain Towers South condominium collapsed in Surfside, killing 98 people and becoming one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history.  As South Florida still winches from the pain the catastrophe left behind, many keep searching for answers as to why it happened — so that it never happens again.  Here is everything that CBS News Miami knows about the Surfside condo collapse on the third anniversary of the tragedy:     Read the article…………………………….

Q: I recently bought a house and became a new member of a homeowners’ association. The association did not give me or my realtor a copy of the association’s rules and covenants before my purchase. Can you explain the new law on this that I was told recently passed?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

The company, ARC Florida Homes LLC, on behalf of Milvian LLC, a company based in Hong Kong, was seeking two separate variances for odd-shaped lots in Glen Lakes on Gentle Ben Court, a cul-de-sac in the southeastern end of the development. There are numerous open lots in that part of the subdivision and elsewhere in it, and the developer has enough lots to control the homeowners’ association, Morgan said.    Read the article…………………………….

Monday marks three years since the Champlain Towers South building collapsed in Surfside, killing 98 people.  At 1:22 a.m., the names of all of the victims killed were read aloud — the same time the building collapsed, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Ray Jadallah said. “Reading out the 98 names — it’s not just names,” he said. “These are extended family that we made over the past three years.”    Read the article…………………………….

Question: I live in a 14-story condominium building that was built in the late 1980s. We are in the midst of an extensive concrete restoration project.  The concrete contractor removed our storm shutters and recorded their condition. They are now being reinstalled. Some shutters work fine, but others cannot be reinstalled because they are not compliant with the existing code.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Some South Florida condo owners are being hit with six-figure assessments that are forcing them to flee.  The situation is leaving many unable to sell or afford the staggering cost…….The retired couple had their financial future all planned out until they were recently hit with a special assessment.  “The total assessment from the apartment we are sitting on is what?” asked Weinsier. “Approximately $224,000,” said Howard Konetz.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: Board members think we can charge owners a ‘resort fee’ payable to the Association to make money off rentals. Is that possible? Where is it referenced if possible?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Residents living next to a golf course in Pembroke Pines have been dealing with golf balls flying into their community. 7 Investigates brought you their story months ago. At the time, they said they were afraid someone was going to get hurt — and now someone has. 7’s Heather Walker has the update.   Read the article…………………………….

10 Tampa Bay has confirmed residents of the Villas of Carillon townhome community got an email Friday informing them the entire homeowners association board has resigned, effective immediately.  This comes after owners successfully postponed a board vote on how they would be allowed to pay a $60,000 special assessment stemming from a structural integrity reserve study.   Read the article…………………………….

Some South Florida condo owners are being hit with six-figure assessments that are forcing them to flee.  The situation is leaving many unable to sell or afford the staggering cost.  Local 10 News investigative reporter Jeff Weinsier was sent to closely examine the numbers.    Read the article…………………………….

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 assessment for now.   Read the article…………………………….

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 preventing pickup trucks and work trucks from parking in driveways.    Read the article…………………………….

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 its most common.  Condominium owners would see an average 14.2% increase if the new rates are approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.    Read ...

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…………………………….

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 when we needed to paint again, we could not use the paint color that was previously approved. Can a new board change its mind after ...

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 future of condo terminations across the state.      Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 Carillon in Feather Sound.     Read the article…………………………….

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 and how fees are imposed and records are kept.   Read the article…………………………….

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 the article…………………………….

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 and how fees are imposed and records are kept.    Read the article…………………………….

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 the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 time other than recently that there was flooding was during a hurricane.”   Read the article…………………………….

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 if it was always necessary to have the management firm representative at all of the HOA meetings.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

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…………………………….

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 was on Key Biscayne, where more than half of the island’s 15,000 people live in condominiums.    Read the article…………………………….

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 a renovation on the property or to replenish an underfunded reserve.    Read the article…………………………….

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 said.Read the article…………………………….

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 real estate law office.     Read the article…………………………….

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 the article…………………………….

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 by 11 entities, according to the Manatee County Property Appraiser website.   Read the article…………………………….

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 on its “foreclosure condition.”    Read the article…………………………….

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 be included as part of the process.   Read the article…………………………….

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 man on stalking and aggravated assault charges.   Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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………………………………..

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………………………………..

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…………………………….

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………………………………..

There is no doubt about the state of the condominium business in Florida right now. It’s in trouble. Big trouble.  And, if the predictions of a stronger than average hurricane season prove right — or even close to right — it could get much worse.  So says Greg Main-Baillie, a project manager who works with condominium associations shoring up the structure of buildings for the commercial real estate firm Colliers.   Read the article…………………………….

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?” asked De Jesus.   Read the article (PDF)…………………………….

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 for them in their communities.    Read the article…………………………….

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 text messages and made 40 to 50 calls to the victim’s cellphone, despite pleas for him to stop.     Read the article…………………………….

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, but their exact conditions were not known.   Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 licensed community association manager is totally unresponsive.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

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 deploying it by towing away many owners’ vehicles overnight is extremely unlikely to be a recipe for success.  Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 the Association is trying to stop remodeling work until the summer. Can they do that?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

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 and guidelines for what hardening projects the funding can be used for.       Read the article…………………………….

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 and guidelines for what hardening projects the funding can be used for.   Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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…………………………….

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 over the shared common areas in such properties.    Read the article…………………………….

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…………………………….

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…………………………….

One of the major places the impact is being felt is at condos, where homeowner’s association fees are increasing to make up for not only the increase in insurance rates but shortfalls in reimbursements from insurance companies from Hurricane Ian. Many condo associations on hard-hit Fort Myers Beach are still entangled in litigation with their insurance companies over payouts from Hurricane Ian damage.?   Read the article…………………………….

State Rep. Vicki Lopez, the Republican lawmaker who led condo reforms to try to prevent another Surfside tragedy, is worried about a recent court decision over a building buyout in Miami.  Read the article…………………………….

Many Southwest Florida condo owners are in trouble financially as they face thousands of dollars in special assessments.  There is a rush of people putting their condos up for sale, and buyers are shying away.  Florida is now facing a condo crisis as more condos are on the market than there have been in years.   Read the article…………………………….

Twenty years ago, Clearwater officials agreed to buy 100 parking spaces in a Cleveland Street condo, anticipating a downtown revival that would bring throngs of visitors.  But a blossoming of downtown restaurants and retail never happened. The parking investment has turned into a money pit for taxpayers as few patrons use the city-owned spaces.   Read the article…………………………….

Hurricane season is approaching quickly and forecasters are predicting an intense one ahead. And while we South Floridians are no strangers to these storms, it’s crucial to recognize the potent cocktail of factors like La Nina that amplify their destructive potential. The threat is compounded for properties along the coastline, where the convergence of strong winds, surging waters and airborne debris pose a formidable challenge.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: I recently requested an estoppel certificate from our homeowners’ association to confirm the dues and fees associated with my property in connection with my selling the home. When I received the bill, the amount charged was higher than the cap mentioned in the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act. Can they legally charge more than what is stipulated by Florida law?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

If you’re a condo owner or looking to buy one anytime soon, you may have to rethink your budget.  That’s according to Greg Main-Baillie—the executive managing director for construction and project management at Colliers Real Estate Services.  When it comes to Florida’s condo market, he told ABC Action News that the next three years will be rough.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: Our condominium board signed a contract with some lawyers who promised to sue our insurance company after Hurricane Ian. The claim that was submitted (prepared by the attorneys’ engineer and signed by our treasurer) alleges, among other lies, that thousands of windows were damaged, when actually none was damaged.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

A hurdle blocking Tamarac’s controversial plan to buy the dilapidated Shaker Village Clubhouse was recently cleared when a Broward Circuit Court judge ruled in the condominium association’s favor in a lawsuit.  The lawsuit, filed in September 2023 by Shaker Village resident Tonya Nesbitt, had challenged the Shaker Village Condominium Association’s authority to make the clubhouse sale.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Our condominium association is considering entering into a loan to fund repairs to our condominium property from Hurricane Ian. We are intending on paying off the loan with a special assessment against all the owners in the condominium. There are some owners who have said that we cannot do this without a unit owner vote. Is a unit owner vote required before we can borrow money and special assess?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

For the first time, engineers who investigated the collapse of Champlain Towers South are going public with the evidence they say points to where the first failure in the structure occurred just minutes before the building came down, killing 98 people.  Engineers form the Chicago-based national engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates were hired by the court-appointed receiver for the condo association to investigate the collapse.    Read the article…………………………….

Living in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association comes with some perks but also some rules, and a new bill on Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk aims to give back some of the rights homeowners give up in those communities.    Read the article…………………………….

Firefighters put out a fire Thursday morning at a condominium complex in Orlando.  The fire happened at about 11 a.m. at East Michigan Street and Conway Road.  Officials said the fire has been extinguished.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: Lately, some of the renters in our townhome community have been disruptive. There have been noise disturbances, domestic violence, unleashed pets, and even open drug use. When some homeowners raised their concerns, the association said their ability to address the problem was limited, and changing rental bylaws was almost impossible. What can we do to make our neighborhood safe and peaceful again?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Boca West Country Club and its Akoya community are part of a major lawsuit just filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court by a woman who claims she was critically injured at a Boca West swimming pool. Barbara Glazer alleges that work on the pool deck was so shoddy, her leg pushed through a paver — leading her to sustain injuries that required surgery   Read the article…………………………….

The development group that sought to build 85 single-family residential homes on the vacant Pine Ridge golf course filed a lawsuit last week accusing that community’s property owners association and its former president with slander.  The lawsuit, filed in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court, alleges that then-president Wayne Tuch made false statements regarding the sale of the property to Southern Oaks Property Group LLC which damaged the company’s reputation.   Read the article…………………………….

Rats and snakes have become unwelcome guests at two Perdido Key condominiums.  The associate managers for those properties attended Monday’s Board of Escambia County Commissioners meeting, one of them speaking out publicly against a proposed wildlife-lighting ordinance.  The two women worry if it passes, it’ll worsen a problem with nuisance critters living on the premises.     Read the article…………………………….

(Press release) Today attorneys from First Liberty Institute and Jones Day filed a federal lawsuit against Loggers’ Run Association, a homeowners’ association, and its management company in Boca Raton, FL calling for it to end all illegal, discriminatory, and antisemitic actions against Rabbi Naftaly Hertzel and his wife Henya. Since 2015 the Hertzels and the Chabad community, who reside in the HOA area, have been denied the same rights allowed for all residents and groups within the community and have ...

Question: Our homeowner’s association states in its declaration that “all fences, other than those installed by the Developer, are prohibited.” Ten years ago, our then president allowed owners to install dog pens — pens made of chain link fence material. Last month, our current president became enraged when her neighbor constructed a dog pen within sight of the front of her home   Read the Q&A………………………………..

A March ruling by Florida’s First District Court of Appeal and the 2016 incident behind the lawsuit, which stemmed from a rotted condominium balcony railing that led to a horrible three-story fall, was the subject of a recent report by WUFT News in North Central Florida. The station’s articleand the appellate opinion illustrate the potentially monumental repercussions that could result from poor maintenance decisions and practices over critical safety elements.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: My homeowner’s association special assessed the community about 6 months ago. I just found out that there are at least 15 lots that have not paid their special assessment. The Board is questioning how to collect these funds and if the Association is required to follow the same process that it does for collection of our regular assessments. Can you please provide some guidance?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

An appellate court case in South Florida has garnered attention from a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the real estate industry. The lawsuit revolves around a case concerning Biscayne 21, an aging condominium building situated on prime oceanfront real estate.   Read the article…………………………….

A group of neighbors at Buckley Towers condominiums in northeast Miami-Dade claimed in court that some members of their association’s board of directors took advantage of their position to profit off the community.  Among the complaints: uncollected trash piling up in bins and inside the building’s trash chutes.    Read the article…………………………….

The clock is ticking for Florida condominium owners who now have to come up with reserve funds to pay for potential repairs.  A new safety law was passed after the Surfside collapse in 2021.  Lawmakers hope the new law will help prevent future tragedies.   Video news report……………………..

Residents at Regency Gardens Condominiums in Orange County were in fear of losing their homes after learning they need to fill a gap of more than $17 million in the condominium association’s reserves by the year’s end.  Video news report……………………..

Condo prices in Florida have been steadily falling, fueled by an increasing rate of motivated sellers.  Certainly, high interest rates are a part of this trend, but a closer look suggests that changes to the Florida Condominium Act — the state’s laws governing condominium associations — may be a major factor behind the market trend and also suggests that a development boom could be coming.    Read the article…………………………….

Days after strong storms and tornados struck the region residents continue trying to dig out from under downed trees and powerlines, and many are finding recovery a confusing, frustrating process.  The Mystic Woods condos off Pensacola Street used to have a forested canopy. Not anymore. Many of the units have trees through the roofs.   Read the article…………………………….

A Middleburg man had the novel idea to provide free books to his neighbors, but the idea opened up a new chapter in his life: a legal battle with his homeowners association.  Now he’s facing lawsuits and almost $2,500 in fines.  The little library was situated on his front lawn along the sidewalk where his Doctor’s Inlet Reserve neighbors could take a book and leave a book.  But now all of that is gone.   Read the article…………………………….

A Naples man was in for quite a surprise recently as he lounged poolside at a local condo complex.  A bobcat slowly meandered around the pool area and within feet of Kevin Mario, who was seated in a lounge chair and eventually wandered off.    Read the article…………………………….

A courtroom fight over a luxury Miami Beach condo and hotel complex spilled into Florida’s Capitol this year, where lawmakers gave hoteliers and developers the upper hand in disputes with residents over common areas in so-called hotel-condos — and potentially undercut a key reform put in place after the collapse of the Champlain Towers in Surfside.    Read the article…………………………….

A recent decision by an appeals court in Miami overturning a condominium termination has sent ripples through the condo development community, including lenders, buyers and investors.  Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Coral Gables, told Florida’s Voice that 10 condo owners in Edgewater, Miami refused an offer to sell their units to a development company that had been solicited by their condo association board to construct new housing.   Read the article…………………………….

Four days after tornadoes caused widespread damage in Leon County, crews have been working around the clock to get folks back on their feet.  Meanwhile, quite a bit of damage could be seen at one West Tallahassee condo complex. Since Friday’s storms, many living at the Mystic Woods Condos near West Pensacola Street have had to find a new place to stay.   Read the article…………………………….

Even with his federal trial being over in Virginia, charges remain pending against Santiago at home in Sarasota.  In 2022, Santiago was president of the Beneva Ridge Condominiums homeowners association when its new treasurer — Esther Quiles, wife of Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith — became “wary that HOA funds are being misappropriated by the HOA president,” according to an affidavit from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.   (scroll down to “HOA Scheme”) Read the article…………………………….

A group of neighbors at Buckley Towers condominiums in Northeast Miami-Dade claimed in court that some members of their association’s board of directors took advantage of their position to profit off the community……He and other residents filed a lawsuit in November, claiming the association’s board of directors took their assigned parking spots and tried to charge people for access to convenient spaces.      Read the article…………………………….

Over half of all new condos being built in Miami are specifically for short-term rentals as residents struggle to find affordable long-term housing, a new report found.   As droves of new residents arrive in the Sunshine State, many are struggling to find affordable housing as the state’s condo market is in the doldrums.  Real-estate firm ISG World reported that 31 pre-construction condo buildings in the Miami region are primed to be turned into Airbnbs,   Read the article…………………………….

The safety of aging condominium buildings poses a l threat to the future of Key Biscayne, Village Manager Steve Williamson told council members Thursday at a strategy meeting for the upcoming budget.  “As you look at the condominiums, they’re all coming up on their 30, 40, 50-year certifications and the impact that has on the financial perspective, insurance perspective, which then all comes back to impact on the taxes as well,” Williamson said.   Read the article…………………………….

Five units at a condo complex in Casselberry were damaged in a fire early Sunday and displaced, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.  Units responded around 3:15 a.m. to Summit Village Condominiums, where the attic and inside walls of a unit were on fire, the department said in a statement  Read the article…………………………….

Question: Every unit in our condominium has always used their own cable and internet providers. Now, our board is forcing us into a mandatory monthly fee internet charge—pushed through with no member vote. Is this legal? How can the board increase our year-over-year expenses without the owners having a say?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

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………………………………..

Residents in one Orlando condominium complex are fighting back after their condo association board asked each homeowner to pay more than $11,000 for a special assessment fee, due in just 3 months.   Channel 9 first reported that owners at the Regency Gardens Condominiums got notices saying their board planned to pass a special assessment on May 15th.  According to the notice, the smallest homes in the complex would need to pay $11,148.42 for the assessment, and the largest homes would ...

Social media in Sun City Center was ablaze recently when residents learned Tampa Electric Co. had begun clearing away all of the trees and shrubs in its easement along Rickenbacker Drive.  The Community Association was being inundated with phone calls, so Debbie Caneen, administrator of the Sun City Center Neighbors Facebook page and a Sun City Center Community Association Board member, contacted a TECO forester to get details on the project to share with residents.     Read the article…………………………….

Condominium owners in Florida may have to dig a little deeper to pay their homeowners association fees and special assessments now that a new state law designed to make condos more resilient after the surfside condominium collapse in 2021 is expected to kick in before the end of the year.  Michael O’Connor, a condo board member of Harborage Condominiums in Stuart, understands the need for safety, but he believes the assessment fees are too costly.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: We are in the process of purchasing an apartment. Our closing attorney received the report from the condominium association showing the monthly dues were current, and we were surprised to learn that a special assessment was pending because the sellers told us that none were. The contract also says that no special assessments are pending. We did not anticipate this additional financial burden when offering to buy the apartment. What can we do?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

A Boca Raton Homeowners Association is being sued by a man who claims the HOA’s poorly maintained parking lot led him to crash his electric scooter.  Robert Clarfield claims that the Villas of Boca Barwood is responsible for his accident.    Read the article…………………………….

Two adults and two children were transported to the hospital with smoke-inhalation injuries, according to the fire chief.  “They jumped from the second (floor) to the first. And then there was a little bit of space between the ground and that balcony. There was a neighbor that was assisting the family to get their little ones over the railing and down to the ground,” Schneider said.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: My condominium association board assessed seven thousand dollars per unit right after the Hurricane Ian in 2022, which I paid. The board has now decided they do not need the funds and have voted to return them to the owners. I sold my condo unit after the refund decision was made, but before the money was given to the owners. The board now says the refund should go to the new owner. I disagree. What do you say?    ...

The president of a Sarasota homeowners’ association is calling foul on a church’s youth baseball field where he says lights were installed without proper permits and county officials refuse to enforce regulations.  After investigating the alleged violations, County officials dispute that they ignored zoning and building codes.   Read the article…………………………….

The Delray Beach gated community of Casabella is suing a Palm Beach County sport court installation company which allegedly took the community’s money and ran. Sport Surfaces of 7011 Wilson Road in West Palm Beach is the defendant.   Read the article…………………………….

Question: I am on the board of our condominium. I have been charged with reviewing our ever-increasing insurance costs. After a review, it has been determined that we need to upgrade to impact windows and doors or shutters to save a substantial amount on our annual insurance bill. Out of 20 units, roughly five owners do not want to spend the money to upgrade their windows    Read the Q&A………………………………..

According to Redfin, the median time a Florida home spent on the market was 57 days in March. Two years earlier, that time span was just 24 days.  “It’s also coming at a time when HOA (homeowner association) fees are going up and insurance costs are going up, and people don’t want to pay these higher property taxes,” Fairweather said. “More new listings are coming on the market right now, too.”   Read the article…………………………….

Q: When selecting a contactor to perform major work on the condominium buildings such as power washing or replacing roofs, does the selection of a contractor have to be done at a HOA Board meeting?  Read the Q&A………………………………..

More than 2.5 million Floridians enjoy the benefits of a condominium lifestyle. Multi-story towers allow residents to live close to beautiful views, their workplaces, their families, and/or fun recreational activities.  However, owning a condominium unit also comes with a significant financial obligation.   Read the article…………………………….

It’s the hottest trend in the automotive industry, and it’s not electric vehicles or autonomous driving. It’s something far more prosaic and unlikely: the automotive-branded high-rise condominium tower.  It started with the Porsche Design Tower, which opened in 2017. The Bentley Residences followed in 2022,   Read the article…………………………….

A Shell Point condo unit caught fire late Wednesday morning, according to the Wakulla County Fire Rescue.  Once firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy fire, according to the fire rescue.    Read the article…………………………….

For condominium owners or buyers in Florida, it was a one-two punch, a vicious combination that nevertheless failed to put the market down and out, despite gloomy recent news reports describing a slumping condo market, Realtors and analysts say.    Read the article…………………………….

It may look like paradise on Little Hickory Island, but for the residents of Dolphin Way of Hickory Point condominium complex the last year-and-a-half have been a disaster…..Then comes the battle with the insurance companies.  Boehme says the Homeowners Association has filed claims with two different insurance companies for more than $17 million but have only received $1.5 million.   Read the article…………………………….

Owners at the Regency Gardens Condominiums got notices saying their board plans to pass a special assessment on May 15th.  According to the notice, the smallest homes in the condo will need to pay $11,148.42 for the assessment, and the largest homes, are will need to hand over $22.104.69. …. According to the condo board attorney Keith Skorewicz, the association must make up a more than $17 million dollar gap in reserve funding as required by State law.  For years, ...

Several residents remain vacated after Panama City Beach officials issued a mandatory evacuation for Laketown Wharf on Front Beach Road.  Residents in 63 units have until Saturday at 6 p.m. to pack their belongings and relocate due to a safety hazard.  According to officials they received a complaint on April 4th from a guest about unsafe stairwells in the building. Inspectors did an evaluation and found that two of the high-rise condominium’s stairwells are structurally unsound.    Read the article…………………………….

Question: Can we convert to a co-op to avoid these onerous regulations?  Answer: Your question doesn’t specify which “onerous regulations” you are referring to. You simply labeled your question “condominium laws.” What I can tell you, though, is that cooperatives are governed by Section 719, Fla. Stat. (the Cooperative Act), which is extremely similar to, and just as “onerous” as, the Condominium Act (Section 718, Fla. Stat.).    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Q: Our condominium association is thinking about changing roofing materials. Our bylaws say that a majority of the unit owners who participate in a meeting can decide any issue, “unless a specific voting percentage is stipulated in the declaration, these bylaws or law.” Does this mean that a majority of the unit owners can approve a roofing change?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

The millionaire residents of a gated community that live on a secluded island in Miami say their private paradise has been destroyed, after the city allowed a developer to build a huge 91-foot high, seven story block of condos that now blots out the sunshine and their waterfront views.   Read the article…………………………….

Crews were met with heavy fire on the roof of one building that was spreading through the attic to other attached condo units. After the third alarm was issued, firefighters set up aerial operations to battle the blaze from above and had the fire under control in less than an hour.    Read the article…………………………….

Police say that Kyle approached 3 kids who were fishing at a lake in the Stillwater Lakes subdivision in Palm Bay. The kids say he was bearing a shotgun and yelling at them to get off his property.  According to the police, the property belongs to the HOA, and not Kyle. The report states that Kyle willfully deprived the juveniles of their property and threw it into the woods damaging it.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: We have seven board members on our board. Can we all be on a group text or is this considered a quorum? Two of our board members want to use this form of communication to keep everyone updated on what’s going on. One board member feels this is against state rules.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Rachel Sykes says she could see it coming. Her HOA neighborhood mailbox was rusty and then it fell over in early March.  She reported the issue to the post office, but getting a new mailbox has not been easy.  After a month of complaining, they did take away the old box but left no box at all.    Read the article…………………………….

In one of the suits, brought by a Miami condominium association, the plaintiffs produced records they said showed that after Hurricane Irma, almost 4,800 claims for Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. were handled by unlicensed adjusters. Of almost 35,000 Heritage claims after Irma and Hurricane Michael, in 2017 and 2018, some 14% were handled by unlicensed adjusters, potentially in violation of state laws and regulations, according to the lawsuit filings.  Read the article…………………………….

The rising cost of home insurance for one Palm Beach County condo is a story that seems to playing out at condos all across Florida.  “It’s shocking to watch in a few years to go from under $100,000 to pushing a half a million,” Christina Auer said. “It’s out of line.”  Insurance experts tell WPTV that the days of cheaper policies are not coming back.   Read the article…………………………….

Seven property insurers in Florida went bankrupt in 2021 and 2022. The bankruptcies left thousands of homeowners scrambling to get new coverage, which often came with a big increase in cost. Worse, many had outstanding claims for hurricane damage that had not been addressed.   Read the article…………………………….

Some residents are living in a construction zone, months after rain and a beehive caused a partial ceiling collapse at the Bermuda Club Condominiums in Tamarac.  The 55+ older condo community shows signs of little to no work done in a couple of units impacted by February’s rain when a drain blocked by a beehive caused part of a ceiling to come crashing down.    Read the article…………………………….

Move, cut back or go bare: Florida seniors juggle skyrocketing costs, impossible choices Florida homeowners insurance is skyrocketing: Here’s what to know

Tampa Bay Times reporter Lauren Peace, who wrote about this issue, said some challenges facing Florida are an influx of newer residents and natural disasters. These have caused housing prices, insurance rates and home maintenance costs to rise.  “And then the last piece of it is, following the Surfside collapse, legislators passed a bill to make sure that condos and homeowners associations had a reserve pile of funds to do building maintenance and repairs. And so in a really short ...

Q: My homeowners association inconsistently enforces its rules. Rules often overlooked include bans regarding permissible animals and owning chickens on the property – none of which have been properly enforced. The association issued a new owner a violation notice, even though other homeowners have been keeping chickens. Does this set a precedent for how these rules will be enforced in the future? How can the association ensure that it equally applies its rules to everyone?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Question: I live in a 55+ condo association. In 2015, we passed a strict “no smoking” bylaw. Smoking is not allowed on our property, including inside of units. When I was president, I had to get our attorney involved to get one renter who smoked in her rental condo to stop, even though she rented with the no smoking policy. This renter was deeded a unit nearer to my own by her deceased parents.   Read the Q&A………………………………..

Q: If the HOA hires a property management company, what tasks require the manager to have a CAM license and is it illegal to hire someone without a license? We have been told the manager of our community is covered under the management company’s license.  Read the Q&A………………………………..

An elderly man died Friday morning in a fire at a condo complex on Jacksonville’s Southside, firefighters said.  The fire broke out shortly before 4 a.m. at the Lakecrest Condominiums on Belle Rive Boulevard, just east of Southside Boulevard.    Read the article…………………………….

Aloophole in Sarasota’s development rules city officials closed last year has been reopened by a state law passed after Hurricane Ian, setting the stage for potential construction of the tallest building downtown and the opportunity for developers to build even more in coming months.     Read the article…………………………….

This week, some are training on how to respond to what would be a true nightmare: A condo collapse in Daytona Beach Shores.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency is hosting the training at the county’s Emergency Operations Center at 3825 Tiger Bay Road Daytona Beach. Volusia County and chose the scenario. The county’s coastline is lined with condos and hotels, and some were evacuated as a precaution because of Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole.    Read the article…………………………….

Federal investigators on Thursday shared updates on their probe into the cause of the catastrophic 2021 condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, providing key insights into the factors that may have led to the deaths of 98 people under a mountain of rubble.  Investigators have identified hundreds of possible points of failure in the building, eventually narrowing down about two dozen hypotheses of what could have triggered the collapse, officials with the National Institute of Standards and Technology said in a ...

In a deed-restricted neighborhood in Hillsborough County, some residents say they’re out of options to get neighbors to follow county code and deed restrictions.  In Hillsborough County, short-term rentals are allowed but must be rented out for at least seven days. One neighborhood in the county says it’s easy enough to find rental after rental available for stays shorter than a week.    Read the article…………………………….

Charlotte County sent notices to owners of 168 condominiums built decades ago that are at least three stories high, informing them the structures must undergo comprehensive inspections under a new state law.  Charlotte County Building Official Shawn McNulty explained what the new law means and how it came about during the Board of County Commissioners April 16 workshop session.    Read the article…………………………….

A federal appeals court has, at least for now, put an end to lingering questions about some property insurance claims litigation: The insured does not need to submit a competing damage estimate when filing a supplemental claim if the policy does not require it.   Read the article…………………………….

As Florida’s wild natural beaches have become more and more scarce, beachside buildings with gravel rooftops have multiplied by the thousands. Shorebirds that nest in the sand have had to adapt.  Several species, including black skimmers, least terns, roseate terns and American oystercatchers, have taken to nesting on the plentiful gravel rooftops of buildings near the waterfront.   Read the article…………………………….

A pair of Florida developers have bought a 2.5-acre beachfront property near the Naples Beach Club and plan to build a luxury condominium tower on the site.  BH Group and the Kolter Group, both from South Florida, paid $102.6 million for the property — which has 200 feet of beach frontage    Read the article…………………………….

A select group of people living at the Belleza at Ponte Vedra Condominium complex reached out to Action News Jax questioning the HOA’s authority to charge them thousands in legal fees.  Five residents living at Belleza tell Action News Jax the fees have been piling on for well over a year, claiming it all dates back to a project the condo’s board of directors approved back in 2020.   Read the article…………………………….

In the wake of a 2021 Florida law, condo owners are facing a variety of new requirements and potentially massive fees. Following the collapse of Champlain Tower in Surfside, the legislature passed a statute requiring, among other things, that buildings over 30 years old (20 years on the coasts) be inspected and collect reserve capital from owners in order to make repairs. In some cases, these could result in assessments as high as $100,000 over the next year for individual ...

In the past, some would assume that the motivation for serving on a condominium board was to leverage a prime parking spot. The more recent reality is very different, with board members’ decision-making history now being put under the microscope for claims of mismanagement and breach of their fiduciary duty. The scrutiny is justified.   Read the article…………………………….

Dear Readers: This week, I wanted to remind everyone that the December 31, 2024 deadline for condominiums to obtain a Structural Integrity Reserve Study, or SIRS, is fast approaching. For any budget passed on or after December 31, 2024, the reserve funds mandated by this required report cannot be waived.    Read the article…………………………….

Q: The board of my condo association, which has over 400 units, has been charging and collecting a fee of around $900 from all new owners when they buy a unit and the fee is categorized as a “capital contribution.” Is such a capital contribution allowed under the Florida Condominium Act?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Some Sarasota County property owners who didn’t need flood insurance have gotten notifications from their mortgage lenders — about 6,000 homes were impacted after they were moved into FEMA’s new flood zone mapping. Up to 1,000 along the Honore Avenue axis in Palmer Ranch are also included.    Read the article…………………………….

The Laketown Wharf Resort Condominium Association has responded to the mandatory evacuation of 63 units.  The owner’s association attorney is Brandon Burg. Burg issued a statement Friday morning saying they’ve hired an engineer to inspect the 2-stairwells deemed structurally unsound by Panama City Beach inspectors.   Read the article…………………………….

Al Thomas and his family won’t forget what happened on the banks of a nearby retention pond on Feb. 20, 2023.  Their neighbor, Gloria Serge, walked her dog when a large alligator lunged out of the pond.  “He grabbed her leg, and he dragged her in, and they do that spinning,” said Thomas of the attack that killed the 85-year-old woman.    Read the article…………………………….

Florida condominium owners are getting buffeted from every direction, and it’s starting to hurt. Flooding, hurricanes, soaring insurance premiums, and now a new state law designed to protect residents physically but which could kill them financially, are intensifying into a powerful storm of consequences of past inaction.   Read the article…………………………….

At least 16 units in an apartment complex in Collier County have been without power for nearly a week, leaving residents coping with lost food and increasing Florida humidity, and no electricity.     Read the article…………………………….

Two men have been arrested following a stunning crime at a South Florida condominium making the 83-year-old victim’s family ask questions.  Coconut Police Police said that a building manager and director of security who were employed by a Coconut Creek retirement community were arrested for allegedly stealing from one of its residents.    Read the article…………………………….

For the second time this year, Panama City Beach officials are calling for a mandatory evacuation from a high-rise condominium.  Inspectors say a stairwell at the Laketown Wharf complex on Front Beach Road is structurally unsound. As a result, the city is requiring a number of residents to get out of their units by 5 p.m. Saturday.   Read the article…………………………….

The family of a deceased man is suing a Pompano Beach condominium, which they said, is responsible for the death of their family member.  The family said 87-year-old Vincenzo Cammalleri died, and his friend is still badly ill, after getting infected with Legionnaires disease, a pneumonia that spreads when a bacteria is inhaled or when contaminated water is swallowed.  The family said Cammalleri and his friend got sick while using the condominium’s hot tub.   Read the article…………………………….

South Florida community is in an uproar over several 5G cellphone towers that are popping up in their neighborhood.  In the past few months, residents in Kendall have seen massive poles pop up on public sidewalks in the area of Southwest 117th Avenue and Killian Parkway. The homeowners said this is an issue that is also happening in Naples and Tampa.    Read the article…………………………….

Residents at a condo in Sweetwater woke up to find their cars gone, and they were shocked when they found out who had towed them. 7’s Heather Walker investigates.   No one wants to start their day this way.  Arely Correa, car towed: “We got up early in the morning to go to work, and we were surprised when both of our cars went missing.”    Read the article…………………………….

From skyrocketing insurance costs to hefty monthly fees, condominium owners in the Tampa Bay area are feeling the pinch, some even saying it could force them out.  At Town Shores of Gulfport, a 55+ community, more than 100 residents met with a panel of experts Tuesday afternoon to discuss what can be done to help.     Read the article…………………………….

Q: I am in the process of selling my condominium unit and recently come across the term “estoppel certificate,” but I’m not quite sure what it means. Could you provide an explanation on exactly what kind of information is included on an estoppel certificate and just how much it typically costs to get one? I’d like to know whether it also covers any rule violations or possibly any other disclosures that I should be aware of before selling the unit.  ...

The demand for housing across Florida has never been higher, and developers are building new homes at rapid rates. But some homeowners are concerned the quick builds are compromising quality, forcing ongoing repairs upon move-in.   Read the article…………………………….

More than 75 million Americans live in subdivisions, condo buildings and other communities with homeowner associations (HOAs) that require them to pay monthly fees and follow a set of rules.  And Floridians who live in places with homeowner associations now have laws protecting their right to know what their dues are paying for.    Read the article…………………………….

On the second day of vacation with his wife and kids, David Casey was sipping a glass of pinot noir on the balcony of a rented condo in the Florida Panhandle, taking in the night view of the beach.  As Casey leaned against the wooden railing on the third-floor unit in Seacrest, it suddenly gave way – “the next thing I knew, I was falling to the ground,” he said – and he plummeted backward into sand dunes and foliage ...

In response to cases such as the alleged theft of more than $4 million at the Hammocks HOA in Kendall and the arrests of four of its former board members and one of their spouses, the Florida Legislature has passed two bills to strengthen criminal penalties for association fraud and malfeasance. The bills, which were passed with unanimous votes in both chambers of the legislature, are now pending final approval by Gov. Ron DeSantis.     Read the article…………………………….

Question: Is there a way to make a resident stop feeding ducks when their neighbors object? I live in a community of villas which are reasonably close together. There is one resident who insists on feeding ducks on a regular basis. This has brought a great deal of consternation to surrounding neighbors who find duck excrement on their patios, driveways and surrounding areas.    Read the Q&A………………………………..

Following recent major hurricanes like Ian and Nicole in 2022, and Idalia last year, Florida homeowners ought to prepare for increases of up to 23% this year, according to a new report by Insurify.  Condo owners, for example, are bracing for the state to rule on a more than 50% rate hike request by Castle Key and Amica Mutual Insurance companies.    Read the article…………………………….

Frank Albergo loves living at Wildcat Run Golf & Country Club in Estero. So that’s why he says he called me, Estero’s Community Correspondent, when he noticed something happening in their back yards that made him nervous. Albergo said he and his neighbors were concerned for the health of the animals that live nearby.   Read the article…………………………….

Q: A large percentage of the owners in our condo building live out of town for at least part of the year. The board posts notices of all meetings on the bulletin board in one of the common area rooms of the building. Is the Board required to give these notices to the owners who don’t live in the building full time since they won’t see the posted notices in the building if they aren’t here?   Read the Q&A………………………………..

A man was arrested in Palm Beach on Wednesday after he allegedly threatened to blow up a residential building during a condo board meeting.  According to the Palm Beach Police Department, Paul Cataldo was arrested shortly after an April 3 condo board meeting during which made statements about blowing up the building. He was booked on a count of threat to throw, project, place or discharge and destructive device.    Read the article…………………………….

Less than two years ago, Hurricane Ian destroyed more than 5,000 structures in Lee County in Southwest Florida and caused major damage to 14,000 others. Now, from rebuilding efforts, more bad news has emerged: A federal agency says local officials weren’t following its rules, so more than 100,000 local homeowners will face spikes in flood insurance rates later this year.   Read the article…………………………….

Realtor Leslie Pires of Bustamante Real Estate in Orlando remembers when condos were one of the less expensive ways to own a home.  “There was a time – even a few years ago – when someone could say, ‘I want a $1,500 monthly mortgage,’ and you’d show them a condo,” Pires said. “Now, I’d say, ‘Let’s look for a small home.’”   Read the article…………………………….

After the Champlain Towers South collapse killed 98 Surfside residents in 2021, the Legislature moved quickly to beef up structural inspections.  Those reforms continued last month, when the Senate voted 40-0 to approve HB 1021, which now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature.   Read the article…………………………….

The article focuses on two bills to strengthen criminal penalties for association fraud and malfeasance that have been passed by the Florida Legislature with unanimous votes in both chambers.   . . . Both bills impose the exact same strict criminal penalties for a number of violations. They make it a first-degree misdemeanor to intentionally deface and destroy accounting records, or to fail to create and maintain them with ill intent     Read the article…………………………….

Some South Florida condo owners are in deep trouble.  Three years after the deadly collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla., regulations meant to prevent another building disaster are coming into effect — and look set to cost condo owners, especially those living in aging buildings.    Read the article…………………………….

The auction of this Oakland Park condo is not normal by the standards of Florida foreclosure sales, but for attorney Brad Ira Schandler, the auctioneer that day, it’s straight from his playbook. As with nearly every foreclosure auction he’s involved in, he and his associates win.  The victorious bidder this morning? Schandler’s sister, Nadine August. She bought the property on behalf of a shell company created the day before the auction, and her brother signed the paperwork registering the company ...

Q: It recently came to light that one of our board members has an ongoing dispute with another unit owner, resulting in the unit owner taking out a restraining order against the board member. This is very concerning. Shouldn’t this result in the board member being removed from the board of directors of our association?    Read the Q&A………………………………..

A Miami judge is being asked to put a quick end to a bizarre dispute in which two luxury Key Biscayne condominium associations are suing each other.  The question? Who pays maintenance fees when an individual property owner falls behind on payments.  A hearing in the year-long lawsuit has been set for April 23 before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens involving Key Colony Homeowners’ Association, the master association covering 1,179 units, and EmeraldBay, one of four constituent buildings in ...

The 92.4-acre wetland, considered Florida’s largest remaining Cypress Hammock, has been the center of a decades-long legal dispute between Wellington and developer Glenn Straub.  Now Straub is suing the property owner’s association of Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club over the same claims that the village filled against his company for years: failing to preserve and enhance Big Blue.    Read the article…………………………….