Recent Articles

Depreciation Doesn't Belong as a Line Item in Association Budget

March 19, 2012 13:25

  Question: Does "depreciation" belong as a line item in a condominium association budget? W.B.(via e-mail) Answer: No. The Florida Condominium Act provides that condominium associations must adopt a budget each year. All budgets must include separate line items for all of...

Does your Condo or HOA have credit cards?

March 17, 2012 15:36

  Many condominium or homeowners association boards like the ease and convenience of credit or debit cards.  Employees often use credit cards to purchase materials and supplies for association use.  Gas stations won't fill those association owned vehicles without payment -...

Condos & HOAs in the Spotlight

March 15, 2012 15:23

The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards Ceremony is just two weeks away!  Did you know? Next year’s 2013 edition of the Communities of Excellence Awards will mark the program’s Fifth Anniversary. Since its inception, The Awards have received entries from communities... This...

Owners Have Right to Speak at Board Meetings

March 12, 2012 13:26

Question:   I live in a community with a homeowners’ association.  Does the board have to let owners speak at board meetings?  S.R. (via e-mail) Answer:  Yes.  Prior to the 2011 Legislative Session, HOA members, unlike their condominium counterparts,...

Condo Association and Management Company Pay $20,000 to Disabled Veteran

March 07, 2012 23:08

Again, another association and its property management company on the hook for discriminatory practices.  While the association acknowledged that the resident was entitled to an emotional support animal, the Justice Department said it went too far with conditions associated...

Immediate Action Required to Protect HOA Owners

March 06, 2012 18:56

Florida's legislators aren't going to wait for the Supreme Court to rule in the Lakeview Reserve Homeowners v. Marondo Homes, Inc., case. Yesterday SB 1196 was removed from the Budget Committee and could be heard by the full Senate this week.   The companion...

Arbitration - Fee Awards

March 05, 2012 16:18

Just because you “win” the arbitration does not mean you are entitled to get 100% of the money you spent getting to and participating in arbitration back. There are many things Arbitrators take into account in awarding fees and costs. Florida Statute 718.1255(4)(k) provides...

Liability for Pre-Foreclosure Assessment Discussed

March 05, 2012 15:13

    Question:   We recently purchased a property out of a mortgage foreclosure case.  The association was a party to the lawsuit.  When we researched the property, we did not find a lien recorded by the association.  Now that we own the property,...

CALL Alert for March 2, 2012 -- Support SB 680 / HB 319 and SB 1890 / HB 213

March 02, 2012 21:20

Now that HB 319 (the community association bill) and HB 213 (the mortgage foreclosure bill) have passed the House of Representatives, it is necessary for these bills, or the Senate companion bills, to be approved by the Florida Senate.  The companion to HB 213 is SB 1890 and it has...

CALL ALERT for February 29, 2012 - HB 319 and HB 213 Pass the House of Representatives

March 01, 2012 15:20

HB 319, Relating to Residential Properties, overwhelmingly passed today on the floor of the House of Representatives by a vote of 114-1.  The bill has many positive impacts for community associations including, but not limited to, postponing costly elevator upgrades, imposing a deadline...