It has always been the obligation of Board members to serve for the benefit of the entire community. Doing so requires that they carry out their duties in good faith with the care of ordinarily prudent people. To safeguard and …
Year End Surplus Treatment in Board’s Hands
Q: What must be done with a condominium association’s operating surplus at the end of the year? Is it true that it must be returned to the owners in the form of payment or a credit to next …
Bylaws Generally Provide for Notice Requirements
Q: I am a board member of an HOA. Our documents provide that U.S. Mail is the only acceptable means of providing notice to owners. I thought email was recently approved by the legislature as an acceptable means …
Condominium Hurricane Insurance Set by Law
At post-Irma Week 6, most communities are back to business as normal, save perhaps figuring out what to do with mountains of landscape debris.
However, some associations are entering a critical period in post-disaster procedures. With the exception …
Associations Should Prepare for Disaster in Advance
We are now over a month past Hurricane Irma. While it certainly could have been significantly worse for Southwest Florida, many community associations are still working through a variety of difficult issues, including processing insurance claims, continuing clean-up, and property …
After the Hurricane, Associations Should Approach the Rebuilding Process with Care
Four weeks after Hurricane Irma, most associations have likely made progress in making temporary repairs to damaged communities. This week’s column will focus on the various issues that arise during the rebuilding process that occur after the storm. Part of …
Associations Should Proceed with Caution After Storm
Three weeks after Hurricane Irma, power and communications have been restored to most areas. Associations have had time to address their property damage, although under very difficult circumstances, including extended periods of being without electricity. By now, the following list …
Special Assessments May Provide Insured Cash Flow After Storm
Two weeks ago today, Hurricane Irma tore through in Southwest Florida. All things considered, it could have certainly been much worse. However, it was as bad as it gets for those who lost their lives, and some communities suffered relatively …
Community associations need to be hurricane-proof, too
As Mike Tyson said, “Everybody’s got a plan until they get hit.” This hurricane season is confirming the need for community associations to develop the right plans, learn from their experiences and continually refine their plans.
Many volunteer …
Associations Have Their Own “Sunshine” Laws
Question: I live in a condominium and have heard that The “Sunshine” Law will allow me to speak at an upcoming board meeting. How does this work? (J.B. via e-mail)
Answer: Florida’s …