Q: The survey for my lot when I closed on my property shows a 15-foot-wide drainage easement dedicated to my homeowners’ association. Can my association use the drainage easement for another purpose besides drainage? (A.D., via e-mail) …
Association Loans Explained
Q: The board of directors of my condominium association has stated they are considering major restoration projects soon and have stated that they are considering a loan from a bank to fund part the projects. While nothing has been decided, …
Manager Licensing Explained
Q: What exactly is a CAM? I hear this term used at some of our board meetings. (K.R., via e-mail)
A: The term “CAM” is an acronym often used when referring to a “community association manager.”
A CAM is …
SBA Loan Update
The U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) has announced that it is waiving the interest rate for the first year on new loans and deferring loan re-payments for 12 months. Therefore, SBA loan borrowers will not be required to make principal payments …
Law Permits Non-Owners on Board
Q: An issue recently arose in my homeowners’ association regarding who may be a candidate for election to the board of directors. A resident in the community, who is not on the deed of the home, has expressed an intent …
Sunshine Laws Apply to Board “Workshops”
Q: I am a director on the board of our HOA and we are questioning whether or not our board members can have a workshop to brainstorm and discuss the budget prior to presenting the budget to our membership. The …
Board Can Install Vehicle Chargers
Q: There have been recent discussions in my condominium about the board installing an electric vehicle charging station for everyone to use. It was my understanding that owners are entitled to install charging stations at their expense. Doesn’t a common …
Condo vs. HOA Budget Procedures Explained
Q: How much notice to the members is required when the board is adopting the annual budget? (B.R., via e-mail)
A: For a condominium association, budget meetings must be noticed at least 14 days in advance for the benefit …
Competitive Bidding Explained
Q: When does a condominium association have to get bids for repair work and does the association have to hire the company with the lowest bid? (K.R., via e-mail)
A: Contracts for legal, accounting, architectural, engineering, and landscape architectural …
Hurricane Ian Cleanup and Restoration Work Issues
It has now been over a month since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida, causing historic levels of damage to our community. Some of the most shocking damage from Hurricane Ian was due to its unprecedented levels of storm surge, …