Becker & Poliakoff

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“Ease the Snowbird Transition” – Florida Community Association Journal

Welcome back, snowbirds! Many of our Florida communities have large populations of snowbirds—residents who reside “up North” during the summer and in sunny Florida for the winter months. Snowbirds have been traveling to Florida in one form or another for over 100 years. The population of Florida increases by more than five percent every year […]

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“HB 1203—Changes to the Homeowners’ Association Act” – Florida Community Association Journal

It seems that every year we can count on the Florida legislature making additional changes to the Homeowners’ Association Act (“HOA Act”), and the 2024 legislative session was no different. One of the HOA bills adopted by the legislature is HB 1203. The bill was formally sent to the governor on May 21, 2024. As […]

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“It’s That Time of Year Again…Now What?” – Florida Community Association Journal

The snowbirds and spring breakers have all returned home. The weather is warmer, and the days are longer. The summer vacationers have not yet arrived but will soon be here. Unfortunately, this also signifies the potential arrival of a dreaded and uninvited guest: a hurricane. While hurricanes are unpleasant, as with many things in life, […]

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Becker Awarded FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Award for 10th Consecutive Year

For the 10th consecutive year, Becker has earned a Diamond Level Readers’ Choice Award from the Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ). The FLCAJ announced its annual Readers’ Choice Award winners in the March 2024 issue of the magazine. The FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the positive […]

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Becker Awarded FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Award For Ninth Consecutive Year

For the ninth consecutive year, Becker has earned a Diamond Level Readers’ Choice Award from the Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ). The FLCAJ announced its tenth annual Readers’ Choice Award winners in the March 2023 issue of the magazine. The FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the […]

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Becker Awarded FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Award For Eighth Consecutive Year

For the eighth consecutive year, Becker has earned a Diamond Level Readers’ Choice Award from the Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ). The FLCAJ announced its ninth annual Readers’ Choice Award winners in the March 2022 issue of the magazine. The FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the […]

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“Financial Management and Planning is Key to a Healthy Condominium Association” – FLCAJ Magazine

We have all heard the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The same is true when it comes to condominium associations—you cannot judge the “health” of a condominium association by its polished marble floors or its breathtaking gulf shore views. The true lifeline of a condominium association comes from successful financial planning, […]

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“Intrusion Upon Your Seclusion: Where Can Video Cameras Be Installed by Residents and Community Associations?” – FLCAJ Magazine

Video cameras are everywhere these days. Many residents have “ring”-type doorbells, which video people who come to their door. Further, many residents have cameras on the outside of their homes which are pointed at their own lots for security purposes; however, sometimes the view of these cameras even extend onto other lots or into other […]

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“Evaluating Requests for Service and Emotional Support Animals” – FLCAJ Magazine

As a community association attorney who focuses her practice on Fair Housing issues, I can state that one of the most difficult issues facing community association board members is how to evaluate and address requests for accommodations for service and emotional support animals (ESA). Over the last two years, we have seen changes regarding how […]

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“Official Records Issues” – FLCAJ Magazine

Anyone who has ever served on a board of directors of a condominium association or has ever managed a condominium association knows that there are a number of laws that regulate the keeping and reviewing of its official records. The Florida Condominium Act sets out 16 separate classes of items that constitute “official records” of […]

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“Condominium Associations Should Have Written Collection Policies & Procedures” – FLCAJ Magazine

The 2021 legislative session brought some significant changes to the Condominium Act, the Cooperative Act, and the Homeowners Association Act. These changes went into effect on July 1, 2021, and many of them impacted the collections and foreclosure process for community associations. At the outset, we always recommend that community associations work with their association’s […]

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“Electric Vehicles, Coming Soon to a Parking Area Near You!” – FLCAJ Magazine

With the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E currently arriving at car dealers, and the Ford F-150 Lightning arriving next spring, as well as Toyota, Nissan, GM, Audi, and so many others car makers already producing all-electric versions of their vehicles, it seems that what used to be considered a niche for adventurous Tesla explorers may become […]

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“Caring for the Financial Well-being of the Association” – FLCAJ Magazine

To ensure the financial well-being of the association, boards and managers should focus on at least four factors in the association: budget, reserves, insurance, and collection practices. This article will take a brief look at each of these, but this is not a finite list. It is recommended that you consult with your association attorney […]

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“Leasing Restrictions – Be Sure You Can Do What You Think You Can Do” – FLCAJ Magazine

For over a year, it would appear from the outside that the only issue Florida community associations have been dealing with is the pandemic. Those of us who work with, live in, or manage condominiums know this is not the case. However, it did seem that COVID-19 issues superseded all other issues for some time. […]

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“How to Handle Unexpected and Dangerous Situations” – FLCAJ Magazine

Florida associations are accustomed to preparing for hurricanes, but disaster plans should also account for other catastrophic events where there is often less advance warning, such as tornadoes, active shooter scenarios, and now global pandemics. Relying on outside crisis experts for guidance is crucial to ensure that your association is prepared to handle an unexpected […]

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“Becker Uncovers Collusion Between Florida OIR & Citizens Insurance” – FLCAJ Magazine

Written By Steve Hallo Citizens Property Insurance allegedly overcharged Florida condominium association policyholders for years, according to the Fort Lauderdale, FL., law firm Becker. The firm also accuses the Florida Office of Insurance Regulations (OIR) of partaking in secret communications with the insurer, which resulted in a consent order being issued without a trial or […]

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“Homeowner Association Confusion & Frequently Asked Questions” – FLCAJ Magazine

Although the term community association encompasses different types of community associations, in Florida, the two predominant forms of community associations are homeowners associations and condominium associations. There are vast differences but also numerous similarities between the two. Unfortunately, this can cause confusion when owners, directors, and/or managers assume the two are the same. Simply put, […]

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Becker Awarded FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Award For Seventh Consecutive Year

For the seventh consecutive year, Becker has earned a Diamond Level Readers’ Choice Award from the Florida Community Association Journal (FLCAJ). The FLCAJ announced its eighth annual Readers’ Choice Award winners in the March 2021 issue of the magazine. The FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the […]

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“Projects in Mind for the New Year?” – FLCAJ Magazine

For many, 2020 felt like it was a giant pause button in an otherwise whirlwind of activity. Due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, many planned repairs and/or replacement projects were postponed. As the new year starts off, communities may begin to look at starting these projects anew. If your community is one […]

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“Reflections On The Lasting Effects Of The COVID-19 Pandemic” – FLCAJ Magazine

No one has a crystal ball to look into the future, but some things are more likely than others. The many media references to the “2020 Bingo Card,” containing any number of unfathomable happenings, supports the idea that no one could possibly have predicted the kinds of questions lawyers are receiving from their community association […]

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“New Laws” – FLCAJ Magazine

New F.S. 718.129, 719.131, and 720.318 provide that an association may not prohibit parking a law enforcement vehicle where the officer has a right to park. F.S. 760.27 provides that a person seeking an emotional support animal must provide certain supporting information to qualify if the relate need for an ESA is not readily apparent. […]

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“Navigate the Claims Process Successfully” – FLCAJ Magazine

Navigating an insurance claim after a significant loss can be frustrating, costly, and time consuming. Associations have an obligation to cooperate with their insurance company fully and completely during the claims process, even in the most daunting of circumstances. Failure to adhere to that duty may result in the denial of an insurance claim even […]

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“Take a Bite Out of Fraudulent Emotional Support Animal Requests” – FLCAJ Magazine

One of the most difficult issues facing community association board members is how to evaluate and address requests for accommodations for emotional support animals (“ESA”). Often, mental disabilities are not as visible and obvious as many physical disabilities. Combine this with the number of websites and individual medical professionals that advertise to write letters after […]

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“Don’t Forget Reserves!” – FLCAJ Magazine

As budgeting season approaches, community associations must once again grapple with the continuing issues of reserves. Under ordinary circumstances, reserve funding increases the amount owners need to contribute to the association every month, since reserves are required above and beyond the association’s operating expenses. In light of the recent economic changes, reserves may be something […]

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“Leaders of the Industry,” FLCAJ Magazine

Becker Shareholder Kenneth S. Direktor has been recognized by FLCAJ Magazine as a leader in the community association industry. “Kenneth S. Direktor serves as Chair of Becker’s Community Association Practice—a group comprised of 50-plus attorneys throughout Florida and New Jersey. Ken focuses his practice on the representation of condominium, homeowners and cooperative associations, and country […]

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