LATEST NEWS & UPDATES
Approvals to Alter Condominium Property Must be Made at a Properly Noticed Board Meeting
Question: I regularly attend the board meetings of my condominium association. When I cannot attend, I make certain to read the minutes when they are posted. In the association’s quarterly newsletter, the president announced that the association would be changing the...
Summertime Grilling on a Condominium Balcony… Think Again!
In Florida, there are plenty of days that are just perfect for a good old fashioned barbeque. After all, who doesn’t love a good steak on the grill (except for maybe this vegetarian)? Even those who lived in condominiums were able to enjoy what northerners only dream...
Smoothing Transitions with Technology
Acquisitions are a common practice in the apartment industry, but they can still stir up plenty of stress for owners and residents. There is new data to collect and transfer, new processes to implement, and disruption to the residents’ habits. How can a company that...
Importance of Preparing for Hurricane Season
Today, Wednesday June 1, marked the official start of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season that runs through the end of November. June 1 should serve as an important reminder about the need for individuals to be prepared for any emergency. This may be the start of the...
Online Voting: A Tool for Voter Inclusion and Fraud Deterrence
Over the past few weeks, the Miami Herald and Univision have teamed up to investigate allegations of fraudulent condominium elections, primarily in Miami-Dade County. In fact, Miami-Dade County by far has the highest number of complaints of any county in Florida for...
Are Criminal Background Checks for New Purchasers and Renters in a Community Association Discriminatory?
Most community associations screen potential purchasers and potential renters. In fact, when surveyed, many board members state that screening community occupants is one of their primary functions. What is the #1 item that typically presents a red flag on a...
Make it Count
Let’s take a short quiz. Who are the most likely people who want to purchase their first home? Current renters. Who are the people who need their credit score to positively reflect years of on-time rental payments? Current renters. Who are the people who shouldn’t...
Florida Community Associations are Obligated to Provide Financial Reports to Owners
Question: At the recent annual meeting for my condominium association the owners were presented with a question asking whether the association should waive the requirement to have an audit of the association financial records conducted. The same question has been...
HOA Reserve Accounts: What Are You Missing?
Maintenance, repair and upgrade of the common areas of a community can be costly, and reserve accounts can be a great planning tool for large projects. In 2007, Section 720.303(6) of the Florida Statutes was added to the Florida HOA Act establishing procedures and...