Managers and Board members are familiar with the statutory right of members and their agents to inspect the association's official records. Both Chapters 718 and 720, Florida Statutes, permit members to inspect the association's official records...

On June 16, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed SB 56 into law. The statutory changes become effective July 1, 2021 and impact delinquent assessment collection practices for both condominium and homeowners associations. Most significantly, the new la...

Many older condominiums face an unexpected hurdle when repairs to the common elements are necessary. While the obvious dilemma is where to find sufficient funds to finance the repair, associations must also grapple with what type of repair is be...

Although U.S. cigarette smoking rates are down as smokers quit or switch to vaping products, cigarette smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease and leads to approximately 480,000 deaths every year. In addition to a reduction of smo...

Since the start of the pandemic, Florida gun sales have reached record levels. In January 2021 alone, over 190,000 background checks were conducted f...

Most would agree, there is ample reason to celebrate the end of 2020. Homeowners will be eager to commemorate the new year with parties and fireworks displays. However, in some communities, fireworks are prohibited by rules enacted by the Homeow...

We are well into the holiday season, and many communities have come together to display beautiful lights and decorations. While these displays are wonderful to look at while in season, it is only a matter of time before we find ourselves in Marc...

The first shoe has dropped in what is likely to be a wave of foreclosures not seen since the 2008 financial crises. Governor DeSantis announced Wednesday evening that he has declined to extend Florida's Executive Orders placing a moratorium on for...

With 29 electoral college votes at stake, Florida continues to be a lucrative swing state for presidential candidates. This year, the candidates have spent over $200 million advertising on television and radio this election cycle. In addition to...

By this time, the concept of “social distancing” to limit contact and hamper the spread of COVID-19 is well known. For community associations, this means new socially distant methods of operation should be utilized to limit member interaction ...

Condominium and homeowner associations are often eager to monitor and screen prospective tenants in their communities. The screening process typically requires submission of an application with information necessary to conduct background and credi...

The Founding Fathers anticipated that the United States Constitution would need to adapt to changing preferences of the nation as the country grew and established itself. An association’s declaration of covenants is akin to the community’s constit...

Condominium and homeowner association assessments, or maintenance fees, are the lifeblood of any community association. These assessments, whether collected monthly, quarterly, or annually fund the association’s operations and ensure it is well m...

Florida Homeowner Associations (HOA) risk becoming unenforceable if specific steps are not taken in accordance with the Marketable Record Title to Property Act (MRTA). Under Chapter 712 of Florida Statutes, an HOA’s restrictions will expire appro...

An often overlooked but important aspect of every Florida condominium association is the designation of its Registered Agent (RA). An RA is a person or company who agrees to accept legal mail on behalf of a corporation. While this responsibility...

As a director, you have a fiduciary duty to your fellow owners. The law imposes the highest standard of care upon you to prudently protect and preserve the money and property of the association. Even small communities have multi-million dollar a...

As of July 1, 2018, a new law is in effect changing the term limits of board members for condominium associations. The previous statute limited board members to no more than four consecutive two-year terms unless approved by two-thirds of the ent...

Recognizing the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), the Florida Legislature recently enacted a statute providing condominium owners limited independence to install charging stations. Is your Association ready for this evolvi...