LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
What Are Limited Common Elements and Who’s Responsible?
The Florida Condominium Act defines limited common elements as those common elements that are reserved for the use of a certain unit or group of units, as specified in the declaration of the condominium. This definition indicates that the limited common elements are a...
The New Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Lender Questionnaire:To Answer, or Not to Answer, That Is the Question!
The Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) recently issued new temporary requirements as an attempt to mitigate risk in community association loan underwriting. Many other industries within...
Reserve and Inspection Laws Changed
Consisting of what I would categorize as relatively minor changes to the sweeping building inspection and reserve laws enacted in 2022, here is a look at Senate Bill 154, which will become law upon signature by the Governor: Inspection Deadlines: The relevance of...
Minutes Must Be Kept Permanently
Q: How long must a 50-year-old condominium retain the minutes of the board of directors’ meetings? A: Section 718.111(12)(a) and (b) of the Florida Condominium Act requires that the minutes of all meetings of the condominium association, including meetings of the...
Can the Directors and Members of Your Community Association Meet and Vote Remotely?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people and businesses alike struggled to meet, organize, and otherwise conduct business in person due to quarantine measures and social distancing policies. In light of these challenges, in 2021, the Florida Legislature enacted laws to...
Use of Surplus Money Questioned
Q: My condominium association recently approved a special assessment to pay for a construction project. The project is now completed and there is money left over. The board has now called a meeting where they are going to consider the applying those funds to a...
The Worst Storm Is the Storm You Didn’t Prepare For
With hurricane season quickly approaching, it is important that you prepare for the worst (and hope for the best)! Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. This article will provide tips to help prepare your 2023 hurricane preparedness guide, as well as provide...
Understanding the New Timeframes for Collections
Associations frequently ask the question: “When should a delinquent owner be turned over for collections?” To fully answer to this question, the association must understand the relatively new statutory requirements that must be fulfilled before an account is turned...
Board Bickers Over Meeting Agendas
Q: The board of directors for my condominium association has an ongoing dispute over which board members can put items on the agenda of a board meeting. Can individual board members put items on the agenda of a board meeting? (J.N, via e-mail) A: The Florida...