Q & A

Q: I found out my HOA fee went up almost 40 percent without any notice. I want to know why and if it went up for everyone. Can I request more information because I didn’t receive anything? (M.P., via e-mail) …

Q: In the past you have written articles concerning the term limits provision added to the Condominium Act. I was wondering if there have been any updates on that issue and how the term limits now apply to current board …

Q: My condominium association recently voted on several amendments to the condominium documents. They presented the amendments as one vote, either in favor of all of the changes or against all of the changes. Is this permissible? Shouldn’t we …

Q: I recently sent a letter to the board of my condominium association criticizing the condition of the landscaping at our condominium. I recently found out that the chairperson of the landscaping committee requested a copy of my letter, and …

Q: We live in a gated community. Recently, the board has begun voting at its meetings to suspend the automatic gate access of owners who are delinquent in their assessments. While I support aggressive collection efforts by the association, …

Q: My community has set up various speed monitoring devices along the most travelled road. The board is now fining residents for speeding violations. Is this legal? What is the process for imposing a fine and can these fines result in …

Q: While current Florida law permits the use of fireworks 3 days a year, what, if anything, can an HOA do to restrict residents setting off fireworks within their community? In addition to the disruption of neighbors and the effect on …

Q: Recently, my homeowners’ association had the membership vote on amendments to our documents which limit leasing within the community. Previously, our documents did not contain any restrictions on leasing. The amendments state that all leases must be no less …

Q: Are owners allowed to use proxies to vote at a meeting in a homeowners’ association and what is required for a proxy? (S.T., via e-mail) …

Q: My condominium is thinking about changing the floors in the entrance area and lobbies from ceramic tile to granite tile. Would changing the flooring tiles be considered a material alteration requiring approval of the members? W.D. …

Q: One of our HOA board members does not own the house he lives in, his parents in-law own it. Our documents state you must be a member of the association to serve on the board. He has given management …

Q: What happens is I refuse to pay a fine for violating the association’s governing documents? (R.N., via e-mail) …