Florida Community Association Journal

Many associations have installed video surveillance cameras within the community common areas as a means to provide security for their residents. However, good intentions often lead to unanticipated consequences. In fact the use of video cameras may expose an association to liability. Generally, an association is not a guarantor or insurer of any person’s safety […]

While the Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects all citizens from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, and disability or familial status (families with children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal guardians, pregnant women, and people trying to get custody of children under 18), there is an […]

Insurance premiums have always constituted a significant percentage of most community association budgets, but astronomical increases in recent years have completely changed the budget landscape. In addition to unaffordable premiums, many insurers are denying full replacement cost coverage, demanding roof replacement for roofs that are still functioning, and/or pushing for complete exterior hurricane protection in […]

With all the new laws, especially for buildings three stories in height or higher, along with reserve funding requirements, condominium living has just gotten a lot more expensive. With only one steady source of income, namely the assessments paid on a monthly or quarterly basis from unit owners, sometimes those funds are just not enough […]

The financial well-being of any association is based on the proper adoption and collection of assessments. Assessments are the lifeblood of the community and how an association pays for the maintenance and upkeep of the community. Without proper adoption and collection of assessments, communities can fall into disarray and struggle to provide services to their […]

In recent years, when the federal government has offered assistance to Florida community associations, it has primarily done so through the availability of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. In response to natural disasters such as Hurricane Ian (2022), SBA loans have been made available to repair and replace disaster-damaged property (physical disaster loans) as […]

Shareholder, Jamie Dokovna writes about the challenges that ensue when managing personnel by highlighting five important lessons: Lesson One – Hire the right people Lesson Two – Have policies and enforce them Lesson Three – Be flexible when necessary Lesson Four – The tools you have aren’t any good if you don’t use them Lesson […]