Generally Board Members Cannot be Compensated
Q: Can the members of our board of directors receive a holiday bonus? (G.M, via e-mail)
A: Not to be the “grinch,” but this is generally not a good idea and is usually not legally permissible. …
Short-Term Rental Developments: Profits Not Necessary to Violate Residential Use Covenant
Short-term rental arrangements continue to plague community associations, with owners and powerful lobbying groups for companies like Airbnb constantly devising new tactics for avoiding restrictions.
“With Airbnb and those platforms becoming such a huge percentage of rentals,” says Jennifer Horan, a shareholder in the Naples, Fla., office of Becker & Poliakoff, …
Is It a Limited Common Element?
Most condominium unit owners may think that limited common elements are those areas outside the condominium unit that are part of the common elements, but which are used only by a specific unit owner. However, the Florida Condominium Act defines “limited common elements” as “those common elements which are reserved for the use of …
An Association’s Obligation Regarding Neighbor Versus Neighbor Disputes
Community Associations have an obligation to enforce their governing documents. However, that obligation does not extend to policing, mediating, or resolving disputes between owners, without a corresponding covenant violation. Associations have an obligation to all owners of the community to do what is in the best interest of all owners, not just the select …
Election Season is Upon Us!
For condominiums and cooperatives there are a few statutory election guideposts that start with the numbers 60, 40, 35 and 14*.
Sixty (60) days prior to your annual meeting election the first notice must be sent to all unit owners telling them when the annual meeting and election will be held and …
Hiding in Plain Sight: What Are “Discriminatory Covenants” and Does Your Association’s Governing Documents Contain Them?
One of the last few bills to be approved by Governor DeSantis at the end of this year’s legislative session was Senate Bill No. 374 which became law on September 4, 2020. The new law defines and prohibits “discriminatory restrictions” from any title transaction recorded in the State of Florida and creates section 712.065, …
Court Finds Short-Term Rentals Violate Deed Restriction
The current economic climate combined with COVID-related migration has many homeowners exploring the revenue generating options of their properties, which can put them at odds with a community association’s mission to cultivate residential harmony and lead to legal proceedings.
Becker Shareholder Jennifer Horan strongly advocates for a careful examination of association restrictions before moving forward with …
New Laws
New F.S. 718.129, 719.131, and 720.318 provide that an association may not prohibit parking a law enforcement vehicle where the officer has a right to park.
F.S. 760.27 provides that a person seeking an emotional support animal must provide certain supporting information to qualify if the relate need for an ESA is not readily apparent. The …
Navigate the Claims Process Successfully
Navigating an insurance claim after a significant loss can be frustrating, costly, and time consuming. Associations have an obligation to cooperate with their insurance company fully and completely during the claims process, even in the most daunting of circumstances. Failure to adhere to that duty may result in the denial of an insurance claim even in …
Distinguishing Between Statutory and Non-statutory Reserves Under the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act
Considering the fiduciary responsibilities officers and directors have to the homeowners’ association’s members, it is important to understand not only the importance of including reserve accounts in an association’s budget, but also to understand when reserve funding is mandatory under the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act. Unlike condominium associations, maintaining fully funded reserve accounts is not always …
Take a Bite Out of Fraudulent Emotional Support Animal Requests
One of the most difficult issues facing community association board members is how to evaluate and address requests for accommodations for emotional support animals (“ESA”). Often, mental disabilities are not as visible and obvious as many physical disabilities. …
“What’s New in Rules and Restrictions,” Community Association Management Insider
Shareholder Jennifer Horan weighs in on amending community association governing documents to include restrictions on the use of surveillance cameras. “The Ring doorbell has been a huge issue because the span [of the captured images] is so far that they can really see everything. Especially in connected homes, where you may share a driveway, people are …