Florida condo & HOA news
Plain-English Florida condo and HOA law updates for owners, volunteer board members, managers, and everyone navigating community-association life.
Read the latest articles ↓From the front lines
Written by Eric M. Glazer · Florida attorney
Florida courts have always been clogged with construction litigation cases where the plaintiff is alleging something was not built right, designed right and eventually broke. In an effort to reduce these cases from the court’s docket, the Florida Legislature created Florida Statute 558 which states: 558.001…
Read: 558 REASONS TO BE CAREFUL WHEN SUING FOR BAD CONSTRUCTION → So this morning I’m on the internet researching some issues and I kind of stumble upon something that was truly alarming. There is case after case after case of violent incidents against Board members. In all fairness, there are also numerous cases alleging violence by board members against home owners.…
Read: ARE YOU RISKING BECOMING THE VICTIM OF VIOLENCE BY VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE ON YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS? → The flag sure is a topic of discussion in the country. The purpose of today is not to take a side on whether or not NFL players should sit or stand. Although I’m sure you guys know where I stand on that issue. I go to so many of your meetings. Some of them are in Board rooms and some of them are in large…
Read: IS YOUR ASSOCIATION FLAG FRIENDLY? → But we don’t have money to fix our roof. I can’t believe how expensive it is to replace the landscaping. Why is our deductible so high? After what just happened in that Hollywood Nursing Home, shouldn’t generators be required in 55 and over communities? These are just some of the comments and questions I’ve…
Read: SPEND NOW OR SPEND LATER → If you’re reading this today, I want you to do one thing…….smile. Yes, I understand your home and car is damaged. I understand your personal property has been destroyed. I understand we may be without power for a while. But you already survived. Others did not. Your spouse, children, parents, sisters,…
Read: WE WILL REBUILD, WE WILL OVERCOME AND WE WILL REMEMBER → When the Condo Crime Bill, HB 1237, was being debated I wrote a blog in March that warned about the bill as follows: I’m almost embarrassed to write the next provision. Recalls would now be automatic. If the Board receives a stack of recall ballots that equal more than 50% of the units, the people are…
Read: RECALL BOMBSHELL: I HATE TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO → Ahhh…….. it’s finally Labor Day. It signifies the end of the oppressive summer heat, a return to school and a get back to work feeling. President Rita Relaxin just wants one more summer day to enjoy all the festivities her wonderful condominium Peaceful Paradise has to offer. Rita decides to start the day…
Read: A LABOR DAY TRADITION2 → For those of you old enough to remember Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, when the ball went through Buckner’s legs, the great announcer Vin Scully remained silent for over two minutes, even though he was broadcasting live on TV. He realized that his own words and commentary couldn’t take the place of what…
Read: MIAMI-DADE GRAND JURY DESTROYS THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION → At a time in history where it seems someone is always offended about something, it seems a little peculiar that children under age 18 can be legally excluded from moving into a community and everyone is apparently OK with it. I mean, think about it…………. Let’s say it’s both a “55 and over community” and a…
Read: SUPPOSE REVERSE 55 AND OVER COMMUNITIES WERE ALLOWED? → Last week we blogged about some confusion that exists in the new condo crime bill. Make no mistake, these “glitches” need to be fixed during the next legislative session if the intent of these statutes are ever to be realized. Until then, because of the ambiguities contained therein, rest assured that…
Read: ARE THERE TERM LIMITS OR NOT? → As you know, the condo crime bill was quickly rushed through The Florida Legislature this year. Unfortunately, as a result, the statute may have created more questions than answers in some circumstances. Clearly, The Florida Legislature wanted to prevent board members from continuing to make a buck off of…
Read: THERE’S A CONFLICT IN THE NEW CONFLICT LAWS → To say that this was an active year for condo legislation is certainly an understatement. A vigorous effort was made to combat shenanigans and outright criminal behavior by condo boards throughout the state. As we know, the impetus for this action was a report by a Miami Dade Grand Jury which basically…
Read: IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR OUR HOA FRIENDS → SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW LAWS? It certainly was a busy year for condo legislation. HB 653 was vetoed at the last minute by...
Read: SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE NEW LAWS → The numbers don’t lie. As a vacation destination, Florida is where it’s at. Everyone, from all over the world wants to lounge on our...
Read: IF YOU WANT TO PUT A STOP TO OVERNIGHT RENTALS – YOUR DOCS NEED CHANGING → In June of 2015, The Florida Supreme Court decided what a licensed community association can do, without being accused of practicing law without a license. The truth is…..The Florida Bar tried hard to curtail what community association managers can do without a license to practice law, while the community…
Read: COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ATTORNEYS AND MANAGERS NEED TO WORK TOGETHER → Aclient of mine recently asked me to review a proposed contract with one of those companies that install laundry equipment in your community. Now this may seem like a small task, but any attorney, or Board member for that matter, with any experience in this area knows that this contract can create havoc…
Read: WASH, RINSE, SPIN, DRY……….REPEAT……………..FOREVER → KAREN: A Jupiter police chief Frank Kitzerow is currently facing a lawsuit from his homeowners association who claims the chief owes them thousands in delinquent assessments. The lawsuit was filed with the Palm Beach County Circuit Court on April 19th claiming Kitzerow owes $1,600 in association fees after…
Read: POLICE CHIEF → With all of the negative press out there regarding condo and HOA boards, one would get the impression that all board members are united in their effort to accomplish a pre-planned agenda that serves the board member’s interests instead of the community interest as a whole. The truth is often times very…
Read: A DIVIDED BOARD OR A UNITED BOARD? →Read it. Then watch it.
