Only Directors Can Vote
Q: If our secretary steps down, we will only have 4 directors. How do we break a tie when voting on upcoming issues? (S.K., via e-mail) …
Services Not Required for ‘55 and Over’ Communities
Q: Some in our homeowners’ association argue we need not offer any amenities like a swimming pool, tennis court, bocce ball, bingo, community dinners, etc., in order to maintain our “55 and over” status. Others say we must have all these and maybe more. Is there a list of amenities that must be followed to …
Notice of Board Meetings Must Be Properly Posted
Q: I purchased my condominium unit last year. Am I entitled to have a copy of the agenda for regular board meetings prior to the actual meeting or at least be provided a copy upon attendance at meeting? (H.B., via e-mail) …
Law Does Not Limit Budget Increases
Q: My condominium association is confused as to how the “115% rule” applies to its budget. Is the association prohibited from adopting a budget that exceeds 115% of the preceding year’s budget? (E.O., via e-mail) …
Cable Rebates Questioned
Q: Recently our homeowners’ association negotiated a new bulk cable and internet contract. One of the new provisions of the contract is the service provider is going to pay the association over one hundred dollars for every home in the community. The money is to be paid to the association in a lump sum. Many …
Manager Not Legally Required
Q: The board of my association is considering terminating our management company’s contract and managing the association themselves. Is this permissible or is an association required to have a professional manager? (R.B., via e-mail) …
Amendments Can Be Grouped For Voting
Q: My homeowners’ association is preparing to have the members vote on four different amendments to the governing documents. However, the association is proposing putting the four amendments to the owners in one vote, take it or leave it. It was my und…
Directors May Abstain From Voting
Q: In your column of August 5, 2018, titled “Board President Should Vote,” you state that “[u]nder previous law, directors could only abstain from voting if they had a conflict of interest” and “[u]nder current law, directors are permitted to abstain f…
Master Association Elections Can Be Confusing
Q: What are the Florida requirements for election of the board of directors and the eventual election of officers in a multicondominium association? Can anyone who is a member of any of the individual boards run for election? Does each association get …
Hurricane Shutters Can Be Regulated
Q: I understood that Florida law permitted a unit owner in a condominium to install hurricane shutters to protect their unit. I was recently told by my association that only a specific type of shutter could be installed and that any other type of shutter was prohibited including putting plywood over my windows. Can the …
Water Bills Can Be Split Equally
Q: I recently purchased a condominium unit and discovered that the water bill is paid for by the association for the entire community as part of our assessments. This seems unfair because many of the owners like ourselves only stay in the unit a few mo…
Websites Regulated by Statute for Larger Associations
Q: We are in the process of moving our condominium association’s existing website and all the information thereon to a new platform. Can the condominium documents be posted to the main homepage or do they have to be posted in a password-protected sub-p…