How long is a condominium required to keep minutes of its meetings? Prior to July 1, 2018 the answer was seven years. This requirement had both its pros and cons. Likely the biggest advantage was minimizing storage requirements, as months, …
Condos, HOAs, and Written Inquiries
Many times I see situations where an owner sends a community a certified letter seeking the answer to questions about various issues. The nature and manner of the responses is dictated by the type of community. The Florida Condominium Act …
Legal Tools at Your Disposal to Make Your Responsibilities as a Board Member Easier
I often find that there is an over-complication that some people believe goes hand-in-hand with their responsibilities in operating a condominium. Most forget that the statute and administrative code provide boards with some basic tools to assist in day to …
Beach Access Restricted?
Although summer is gone and fall is nearing its end, the truth is that even in the heart of winter we never truly have to wait long to enjoy the beach in Florida. The problem this year however is who …
Unanimous Approval Likely Not Required For Amendments
Q: My association levied a special assessment to fund a repair project to our clubhouse. The project is now complete and there is money left over from the special assessment. The board has been discussing what it should do …
Neighbors Can Deal With Nuisances Directly
Q: I live on the second floor of a condominium building, where I own the unit. The unit above me is rented to a nice young couple, but they are “night owls” and have a lot of friends over …
Special Assessment Leftover Funds Must Be Returned or Credited To Account
Q: Our condominium association board levied a special assessment for Hurricane Irma damage. Our insurance claim settled for more than we expected, resulting in an excess of funds due to the special assessment. What happens to this leftover money? …
Why Do They Need a Key to My Unit???
“Every man may justly consider his home his castle and himself as the king thereof; nonetheless his sovereign fiat to use his property as he pleases must yield, at least in degree, where ownership is in common or cooperation with …
Banning Guests from a Gated Community
Some communities have guests who are regular guests of an owner or tenant and violate the governing documents, or sometimes even violate the law by committing criminal acts. In such situations, gated communities, which have a guard 24/7 and can …
Can a Condo Board Meet Behind Closed Doors?
Yes, as a matter of fact, it is legal for a condominium association board to hold a closed board meeting, but only in certain circumstances. Section 718.112(2)(c)3, of the Florida Condominium Act, allows the board to hold a closed board …