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
Last week’s Labor Day blog was devoted to those officers and directors who truly give their heart and soul to the communities they serve. In my 25 years of practicing law I have been privileged to represent many such a devoted person. But then there’s the flip side…. What do I mean by the flip side? I…
Read more → Ireally wish I didn’t have to write this particular blog this week. It’s about another HOA President who helped herself to the association’s funds when she thought she wouldn’t get caught. And if not for the hard work of a particular resident of the community, she might have been right. Three years after…
Read more → Each year I love to write about how Labor Day should apply to everyone, especially to those people who voluntarily serve as officers and directors in our Florida community associations. If anyone deserves a day of recognition and a day to sit back, kick off their shoes and soak in the sun, it’s these…
Read more → Lots of associations have the right to screen and reject proposed renters of homes and units in their communities. I previously blogged about a new Dade and Broward ordinance that forces associations to act quick when purchasers or renters file an application with the association. The association has 15…
Read more → Let’s narrow the issues right off the bat. You only need to keep reading if your building is 75 feet or more in height, measured from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to the floor level of the highest occupiable story. If your condominium does not fit into this category, if you already…
Read more → Great response from our readers to Part 1 last week. Now let’s talk about the applicable laws and some do’s and don’ts. For most community associations in Florida, the primary laws that deals with this issue are the Federal and Florida Fair Housing Acts, not the Americans With Disabilities ACT, or A.D.A…
Read more → It’s President’s Day today. Time to honor Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln and all the other Presidents. Let’s not forget Smith, Cohen, Jones, Martinez and Miller. I know the last few names on the list weren’t Presidents of The United States. I haven’t totally lost my mind….yet. But surely, these…
Read more → Iwon a pretty interesting arbitration case last week. It’s an example of how a Board’s unwillingness to listen to reason, wound up needlessly costing all of the members some money. It’s a perfect example of how it’s possible to both win and lose at the same time. Here are the facts: On September 22nd, 2015…
Read more → Contracts Clause Application in an Ever Changing Legislative Landscape When representing a Florida condominium association, one interacts with many laws and other sources of authority. These include Chapter 718 of the Florida Statutes (Florida’s Condominium Act) and Chapter 617 of the Florida Statutes (the…
Read more → In all my years of practice, I can tell you that the debate over whether emotional support animals should be entitled to occupy a no-pet condominium ranks as high as any other issue in terms of how hard people are willing to fight for their beliefs. I also learned that some dog owners would spend more…
Read more → Basically, every year, The Florida Legislature passes laws that effect condominiums and Homeowner Associations. You may be surprised to learn however that just because these laws are passed by The Florida Legislature, it doesn’t mean that these laws automatically apply in your community association. The…
Read more → Great article by The Miami Herald this week regarding the fact that condo associations across the state are ripping people off by charging illegal and excessive transfer fees when someone is trying to sell or rent their unit. For those of you who missed it, here is the link:…
Read more → Today is Memorial Day so I’ll start by simply thanking those who gave their lives while serving in our Armed Forces so that the rest of us continue to enjoy our freedoms and privilege that it is to live in the United States of America. Today, this blog is dedicated to you. Think of how many of these brave…
Read more → I’ve been to some crazy board meetings over the years. And one I attended Thursday night ranks right up there with the loudest, craziest and meanest of all time. And this happened even though two police officers attended the meeting. It is frightening to think what would or could have happened had they…
Read more → Despite the fact that legislative progress has been made in getting owners access to association records, there is still confusion as to whether or not associations and/or management companies can charge an owner for such access and for photocopies of the records. Let’s address the law for both condominiums…
Read more → Week in and week out, we are always hearing about the negatives in our Florida community associations. Whether it’s stealing money, taking kick-backs, rigging elections, management companies on the take, crumbling properties or the like, there is always something in the news which makes our Florida…
Read more → Last week we blogged about the association’s ability or perhaps inability, to limit the number of rentals in the community. We also discussed the differences between the condominium statute and the HOA statute regarding same. This week, let’s focus on a related topic, short term rentals. Most governing…
Read more → I’m always asked what can be done to prevent our community from completely turning into a rental community. The answer differs depending upon whether or not you live in a condominium or an HOA. Here is the case that settled the issue in a condominium: In Woodside Village Condominium Association, Inc. v.…
Read more →Read it. Then watch it.
