Owners Generally Do Not Have the Right to Approve the Annual Budget
Q: Do condominium owners have a say in approving the annual budget? (D.J. via e-mail)
A: Unit owners do not have the right to adopt or approve a proposed budget …
Website Law Likely to Change
Q: I have heard that there is a new law requiring condominium associations to have a website. Is that true? (J.L. via e-mail)
A: Yes, although the law has somewhat …
Owners Can Add Items to Board Agenda
Q: In a homeowners’ association, can residents request items be added to the agenda for board meetings, or can only directors do this? If so, is there a deadline by which items must be placed on the …
Fining Committee Not a Rubber Stamp
Q: I am on the fining committee of our association. The management company expects us to “rubber stamp” every proposed fine, but that is not always our desire. We would like to correct behavior and are not in …
Requiring Licensed Contractors is Valid
Q: My homeowners’ association requires contractors to be licensed and insured as part of the approval process for architectural review. Are they allowed to do this? (K.L. via e-mail)
A: The Florida …
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 …
How Our National Political Discourse Parallels Our Community Association Discourse
It’s hard right now to turn away from the 24/7 news cycle and its discord, rancor and heated rhetoric. When we spend the majority of our time discussing just 20% of the topics which concern us, we cannot commit time …
Associations Must Allow Flags
Question: I am a military veteran. Over Memorial Day weekend, I displayed my American flag outside my home. I intend to display the same flag for the Fourth of July. I recently received a letter from my homeowners’ …
Delinquent Owners not Eligible for the Board of Directors in Florida Condominiums & HOAs
Question: I live in a homeowners’ association and recently submitted my intent to run for the board. However, my name was not included on the ballot that was mailed out to all of the owners. When I asked …
Community Association Board Members Can be Considered Limited Purpose Public Figures in Defamation Cases
There is a growing body of case law around the country which would make it more difficult for an allegedly defamed community association board member to successfully pursue his or her day in court. Is a community association board member …