Q: The declaration of covenants for our homeowners’ association says that it can be amended by a “two-thirds vote.” There are 120 lots in our community. Most people believe that we need 80 votes (two-thirds of all lots) to …
Updating Documents Requires Getting Out the Vote
Q: My condominium association still operates under our original documents from the early 1980s, which have been amended a couple of times. From what we can tell, the documents have never been updated from what the developer gave us. …
HOA Governing Documents Explained
Q: I recently purchased a home in a development that is under a homeowners’ association. When I purchased, I received “the documents” for our community. I am confused how these documents relate to each other and what the different …
Architectural Committees Cannot Vote by E-mail
Q: I read your recent column stating that e-mail is no longer allowed as a way for HOA board members to vote. Our architectural review committee meets once a month to review and approve applications, but there are often …
Can or Should Community Associations Impose Firearm Regulations through Governing Documents
The recent senseless slaughter of school children in Parkland, Florida has fueled and reignited the long-simmering debate about gun control in our society. Community associations are not immune to violent tragedies, including gun deaths.
We are all familiar …
New Law Requires Recording of Homeowners’ Association Rule Amendments
Q: I am a director in a homeowners’ association. I understand that there have been recent changes to the laws regarding document amendments. Do these changes in the law require that all changes to the rules and regulations made …
Term Limits in Bylaws Trump Statute
Q: I am writing regarding your recent series of articles on the new condominium legislation.
You have stated that the new law imposes term limits of eight years. Our current bylaws impose
a …
Owner’s Don’t Have Right to Call in to Board Meetings
Q: My condominium association is mostly composed of seasonal owners and every member of the board leaves town for the summer. At the last board meeting, the board announced that it intends to post notice of upcoming board …
Legislative Review Wrap-Up
This week we conclude our annual review of 2018 legislation affecting Florida community associations, with a review of the amendments to Chapter 712 of the Florida Statutes, the Marketable Record Title Act, or MRTA, which become effective on October 1, …
Legislative Review Continues
Today’s column continues our annual review of legislation affecting Florida community associations, effective July 1, 2018.
E-Mail Communication by HOA Board Members
- Members of the board may use e-mail as a means of …