Assessments, Condos vs. Town Homes
A Florida homeowners association was found liable in a records requests lawsuit that emphasizes the need for timely response and proper recordkeeping among community associations. The Fifth District Court of Appeal in...more
A number of homeowners associations have restrictions that prohibit commercial vehicles from being maintained or kept on lots or otherwise within the community....more
No later than October 1, 2024, all Florida homeowners associations must either provide complete copies of their rules and covenants to each member or post complete copies of the rules and covenants on their website and...more
The Florida Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA) is a statute that can have harsh consequences, including the ability to extinguish an Association’s deed restrictions if an Association does not take timely remedial measures,...more
On May 15, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed HB 1645 (2024). Effective July 1, 2024, HB 1645 (2024) amends Fla. Stat. Sec. 720.3075 as follows...more
On May 29, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed HB 59 (2024) into law. Effective July 1, 2024, HB 59 (2024) amends Fla. Stat. Sec. 720.303 as follows...more
On May 29, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed HB 293 (2024), which amends Fla. Stat. Sec. 720.3035 as follows...more
Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1203 (2024), which is effective July 1, 2024 and makes a number of substantial changes to statutes governing Florida community association managers and homeowners associations (HOAs). The...more
On May 31, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed the largest of three new bills that will have a significant impact on homeowners’ associations (HOAs). House Bill 1203, House Bill 59, and House Bill 293 introduce a range of new...more
Developers who create residential subdivisions in Florida are typically obligated to form a homeowners’ association (HOA) to govern the community. Mandated by permitting authorities like counties, cities, and water management...more
Each year, condominium associations work to obtain insurance at reasonable rates in an effort to comply with their statutory obligations to use “best efforts” to obtain insurance. In recent years, however, insurance rates...more
A recent opinion out of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal stresses the importance to read, understand, and follow community association governing documents before initiating any amendments that alter the substantive...more
Each election season, condominium association members elect one or more directors to serve on the association’s Board of Directors. Many members consider their options carefully, understanding the importance of the board and...more
To ensure the validity of its elections, a community association must conduct its elections in full compliance with Florida law and its governing documents, which includes enforcing its voting certificate requirements, if...more
On December 13, 2023, Florida State Senator Rodriguez filed Senate Bill 942 (2024), which, if adopted, would require the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to establish a searchable database of certain...more
Numerous homeowner associations have declarations, covenants, conditions, and restrictions for the storage items on their property, regardless of where the items are stored and whether such items are visible to third parties....more
A condominium association in Florida is required by law to “use its best efforts to obtain and maintain adequate property insurance to protect the association, the association property, the common elements, and the...more
The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), as well as the substantially similar Florida Fair Housing Act (FFHA), prohibits discrimination in housing based on a person’s disability. As “housing providers,” homeowners associations and...more
Well-manicured lawns, beautiful entranceways, uniformity of appearance, security cameras, and clutter- free home exteriors are but a few of the many benefits of living in a community controlled by a “homeowners’ association...more
Each Florida condominium and cooperative association is required, no later than January 1, 2023, to file the following information with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division (Division) of...more
STEP 1: Submit and maintain accuracy of building inventory list with DBPR - Has the Association, no later than January 1, 2023, filed and kept current information with the DBPR including the number of buildings on the...more
On May 26, 2022, Florida Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 4 into law, imposing substantial new structural safety and reserve requirements on Florida condominiums and cooperative associations. The law is effective...more
Chapter 712, Florida Statutes, the Marketable Record Title Act (“MRTA”), presents a mortal risk to Florida homeowners association, potentially rendering them unable to levy and collect assessments or otherwise enforce their...more
On June 16, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 56, adding new requirements to various sections of the Florida Statues relating to condominium, homeowners, and cooperative associations, with an effective date...more
On June 16, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 630 into law, which enacts numerous amendments to the Condominium Act (Chapter 718, Florida Statutes), the Cooperative Act (Chapter 719, Florida Statutes), and...more