Q: If the ballot sent to every homeowner states you may vote up to five candidates and no more, can you cast all five votes for just one person and have that ballot counted as five votes versus one vote? (S.D., via e-mail)
A: It depends on the …
Not All Notices Can Be Sent By E-mail
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: What legal notices does my association have to send to me, if any by U.S. mail. I signed an electronic notice authorization but keep getting a lot of association paperwork in the mail? (A.K., via e-mail)
A: Associations are generally required to send notices for membership meetings, …
Board Can Regulate Alcohol on Common Property
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: Our condominium association board recently made a rule that no beer, wine, or liquor can be brought into our swimming pool area. This came about because of one situation where some people got out of hand. Many of us enjoy socializing during “happy hour” around our pool. This seems like overkill and …
Names of Fellow Unit Owners Is Public Record
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: I am requesting from the association office the names of each unit owner in my condominium association. Is the office legally required to furnish that list to me? (J.G., via e-mail)
A: If your request for the names of each unit owner was made in writing, the …
Reserves Must Be Fully Funded Unless Waived
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: Our condominium association just had a reserve study done for the first time in our twenty-year plus history. We learned that all of the funds we have set up are inadequate. The board said that to catch up the reserves would double our assessment, so they want to phase in the increase. …
Association Cannot Restrict Board to Florida Residents
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: The board of my condominium association seems to always be stacked with seasonal residents who want things nice for the few months they are there, and to cut costs for the rest of the year. A group of year-round residents would like to start a petition to change our bylaws to require …
Competitive Bidding Explained
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: My condominium association recently solicited bids for major repairs to our condominium buildings. The cost of the project is several hundred thousand dollars. At the recent board meeting where the contractor was selected, the board discussed all of the bids and voted to proceed with a particular contractor. However, this contractor was …
Owner Vote Not Required to Purchase Unit in Foreclosure
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: We have an owner who stopped paying their assessments to our condominium association. The association recorded a lien against the unit and foreclosed. The association was the only bidder at the foreclosure sale. Now some unit owners are saying that the board of directors acted inappropriately and there should have been a …
Subdivision Lots Subject to Easement Rights
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: What homeowners’ association activity is allowed within “access easements” and “lake maintenance easements?” We own the title to our lots but these easements against our property are set forth in our documents. Does this give the association or other owners the right to come on our property? (J.S., via e-mail)
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Complaint Against Neighbor Not Confidential
By Joseph Adams
Posted on 
Q: I recently wrote a letter to the board of directors of my condominium association complaining about constant noise from my neighbor. I then learned that my neighbor was given a copy of the letter. Isn’t this supposed to be confidential? I do not really know him that well and do not want …
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