LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
Reflections On The Lasting Effects Of The COVID-19 Pandemic
No one has a crystal ball to look into the future, but some things are more likely than others. The many media references to the “2020 Bingo Card,” containing any number of unfathomable happenings, supports the idea that no one could possibly have predicted the kinds...
Candidate Statements Permitted in Board Elections
Q: Is it permissible for a candidate for the board to include personal information about himself or herself in the official ballot mailing sent by our condominium association? Does the board have the right to edit these or withhold inflammatory comments? (S.M., via...
Fine Amounts Set by Statute
Q: My association is threatening to fine me $100.00 per day for not following their mask rules. Is there a law that allows associations to fine $100.00 per day? (J.G., via e-mail) A: Section 720.305(2) of the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act authorizes an...
Board Members Cannot Vote by Proxy
Q: My condominium association has been questioning when owners and board members can vote by proxy and the differences between a general and limited proxy. Can you explain when proxies can and should be used by either board members or unit owners when voting? (G.R.,...
Boards of Directors Can Hold Closed Meetings for Certain Purposes
Q: When can a condominium board of directors hold a meeting which is closed to the owners? (P.C., via e-mail) A: Pursuant to Section 718.112(2)(c) of the Florida Condominium Act, meetings of the board of administration at which a quorum of the board members is present...
Is a Community Association Responsible for the Acts of Its Volunteers?
Community associations can be a great place for community involvement. It is always nice to see members get involved and help with operating the association. However, should the association be concerned about the actions of these volunteers? An association may be held...
The Association’s Strong Hand for the Removal of Non-Approved Structures
Enforcing HOA restrictions can be a formidable task, implicating myriad overlapping declaration provisions, association rules, and Florida law. And going to court to get injunctive relief – a court order requiring an owner to comply – can seem even more daunting. The...
Removing Officers and Directors Require Different Procedures
Q: Our homeowners’ association board president has not been responsive. He is also over two months overdue on assessments. Can he be replaced and what are the steps for that process? (V.R., via e-mail) A: There is a difference between directors and officers. Directors...
What to Do When a Vendor Damages Association Property
Service providers often cause property damage in community associations. Imagine a furniture delivery driver in a rush to make his next appointment, clipping your community’s security gate and taking a portion of it down the road, or a garbage truck leaking hydraulic...