Question: In a recent column, you said that an owner wanting to inspect association records has to make a written request. Does a request by e-mail satisfy the law? (B.H. by e-mail)
Answer: While …
President Can’t Buck the Association Board in Florida HOAs
Question: I am one of five directors on my homeowners’ association’s board. After this year’s annual meeting, we elected new officers. The person voted in as president says that he can make any decision he chooses, and does …
Florida HOA Boards May Appoint an “Election Committee”
Question: Every year our homeowners’ association’s board appoints an “election committee.” The committee makes sure that the meeting notices are sent out, and otherwise runs the election, including counting the ballots. This year, the chairperson of the committee …
Condominium Board Cannot Wink at House Cats
Question: Our association has a “no pet” policy, going back to the developer’s original bylaws. The board has generally enforced it, but has let a few elderly owners keep “indoor cats,” since they really do not bother anyone. …
New Florida Condo Bill Filed by Senator Garcia Includes Criminal Penalties
Last month, the State Attorney for Miami-Dade County released a Grand Jury Report titled “Addressing Condo Owners’ Pleas for Help: Recommendations for Legislative Action”. You can read the Miami-Herald Article about the Grand Jury Report here.
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Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Part I – How to Navigate Management Company Transitions
Hopefully, most of us enter into relationships with the expectation that they will last. However, for those of us past adolescence, we realize that even long-term relationships can end and, even when they were good for a long time, the …
Florida Condo Associations Cannot Waive Year-End Audits for More than Three Consecutive Years
Question: Our annual budget is always over $500,000 and requires a year-end audit unless waived by the owners, which I understand cannot be done more than three consecutive years. Is there a penalty and what could happen if …
Departing Condominium Board Member Must Relinquish Keys Within Five Days
Question: Recently, our association’s president resigned and took a job with our management company at another complex. While our office manager was on vacation this former president was in her office for a few hours. If he resigned …
Can a Candidate Withdraw From a Condominium Election and Then Change Their Mind?
Question: The bylaws of our condominium association specify that the board of Directors shall be comprised of not less than five nor more than seven members. Six members filed their applications for candidacy by the required deadline (40 …
Voter Apathy Plagues Florida Community Associations
Question: Our condominium association has been trying to amend our condominium documents since the developer sold out 10 years ago. The documents require 75% of all unit owners for amendment. This has failed several times, primarily due to …