June means the start of Hurricane season in Florida and while we always hope for a quiet year, it’s important that your community is prepared. Check out Becker’s Hurricane Guide for helpful tips before, during, and after the storm. This issue of CUP also features common questions on violation notices, a bird’s eye view of the legislative process through the lens of a lobbyist, and the opportunity for permit extensions due to South Florida’s flash flooding.
There are big changes happening at BeckerBALLOT, Becker’s online voting platform. See BeckerBALLOT FAQs here.
Of note, there will be no CEU credits submitted to the DBPR between September 1 and October 15. Be sure to take classes and submit the form for credit well before the deadline. Please also note, you have 90 days to download any class certificate or you will have to re-take the class. Visit our class library here.
When Florida lawmakers concluded the 2024 Legislative Session, several bills passed affecting community associations. House Bill 1203 changes the game when it comes to fining in homeowners’ associations. Jennifer L. Biletnikoff explains what your HOA needs to know in, “HB 1203, Effective July 1, 2024, Changes HOA Fining Requirements.”
The Florida Legislature adopted House Bill 1021, which makes certain changes to the Chapter 718, or the Condominium Act. How will these changes impact your association? “New Requirements for Condominium Association on Inspections of Official Records,” by Karyan San Martano, emphasizes the importance of having reasonable rules in place to ensure compliance with these new laws.
How does your community association deal with unruly or disruptive members? The Legislature has given condominium, homeowner, and cooperative associations limited power in regulating this behavior. Mary R. Hawk provides helpful advice for your association in this timely article, “Meeting and Records Request Rules.”
Many people believe that an association has the inherent authority to approve all transfers. Is this true or false? Allison L. Hertz explains the need for explicit power to approve transfers and emphasizes the importance in seeking legal counsel in, “THIS CASE: Webster v. Ocean Reef Community Association, Inc..”