Becker is pleased to announce the successful denial of a Planning Board application on behalf of our client, a 300+ unit condominium association in Paterson, New Jersey. Led by Shareholder Martin Cabalar, Becker presented a compelling case opposing the development of an adjacent property during the City of Paterson Planning Board hearing. The proposed project, […]
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Does a Condominium Have to Put Insurance in the Annual Budget?
I have been asked on a few occasions whether an association has to put insurance in the annual budget or whether it can just wait to determine the amount of the insurance, and specially assess for the same (without a line-item in the annual budget). Insurance costs have doubled, tripled or even quadrupled in the […]
Read MoreBoard Member Code of Conduct
The law specifically provides that Board members have a fiduciary relationship with the owners and requires Board members to disclose conflicts of interest. However, the law does not specifically address acceptable (and unacceptable) behaviors for discharging these responsibilities. As such, a Code of Conduct for Board members is a good idea to have so that […]
Read MoreCan Emotional Support Animals Be Prohibited in the Pool Area?
The issue of emotional support animals in pet-restricted communities is never-ending. Their presence seems to have multiplied by the influx of individuals relocating to Florida. What was considered a “family pet” in the State of origin, suddenly became an emotional support animal in pet-restricted Florida communities. Understandably, individuals with family pets, now being represented as […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Valeria Angelucci
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. Valeria Angelucci is an attorney in our Ft. Lauderdale office. A native of Italy, she was selected and granted a full scholarship to participate in a Dual […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Priscilla Bonsu
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. Priscilla Bonsu is an attorney in our New York, NY office. She focuses her practice on corporate, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and a broad range of business transactions—both […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Amanda Wood
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. Amanda Wood is a Senior Federal Advocacy Director in our Washington, DC office. She spends her days in our nation’s capital representing municipal, corporate, and nonprofit clients […]
Read MoreUPDATE: Dryer Vent Regulations Are Being Enforced by the Local Fire Safety Officials
Hopefully, everyone is aware that most Associations’ insurance Companies have been recommending/requiring regular dryer vent cleaning and/or repair (usually every two (2) or three (3) years). Many associations have adopted Resolutions that govern when Owners must perform cleanings and inspection and engage professionals to make needed repairs to the dryer vents to prevent fire hazards. […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Kaylin Martinelli
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. Kaylin Martinelli is an attorney in our Orlando office. She focuses her practice on Construction Law & Litigation, with an emphasis on construction defect litigation. Q: Explain your […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Mary Hawk
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. Mary Hawk is a shareholder in our Bradenton, FL office. She focuses her practice in the areas of general representation and dispute resolution for condominium, homeowner, cooperative, […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet LaToya Sheals
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. LaToya Sheals is a Senior Government Relations Consultant in Becker’s Government and Lobbying Practice. She has extensive experience in investigating and analyzing legislation and developing public policy […]
Read MoreBecker Celebrates Women’s History Month: Meet Jamie Dokovna
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Becker is showcasing the inspiration, philosophies, and expertise of the women attorneys and lobbyists who help elevate our firm and client service. Jamie Dokovna is a shareholder in our West Palm Beach, FL office. She focuses her practice on business litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and commercial […]
Read MoreThe Impact of the New Department of Labor Rule on Worker Classification and Ensuring Proper Classification of Workers
In the early 2000s, employers and established businesses rarely sought out the work of independent contractors. Now decades later this has changed significantly as employers are relying more and more on independent contractors instead of employees. While using independent contractors can have certain benefits, there can also be certain risks especially when it comes to […]
Read MoreAddressing Burdensome Records Requests via the Rule-Making Power of Condominium Associations
Records requests can become quite daunting when a board of directors is faced with a high volume of demands from unit owners asserting their right of inspection of the association’s official records. Section 718.111(12)(c)(1) of the Florida Condominium Act (“Act”) permits condominium associations to “adopt reasonable rules regarding the frequency, time, location, notice, and manner […]
Read MoreSo, You Received a Written Inquiry
Your community association has just received, by certified mail, a letter from a unit owner with several questions about the operation of the Association. What do you do next? First and foremost, you should always ensure that your community association’s legal counsel is promptly notified of such inquiries because receipt alone may trigger time sensitive […]
Read MoreFrom Developer to Homeowners: A Brief Overview of Transition in New Jersey Community Associations
Congratulations on becoming homeowners in your new community! As you settle in and start to personalize your spaces, an important milestone awaits: the transfer of control from the developer to the unit owners. This process, known as “transition,” marks the moment when you and your fellow residents take the reins of your community, shaping its […]
Read MoreBecker Spotlight: Martin Cabalar on Developer Transition, Construction Defects, & New Jersey’s Structural Integrity and Reserve Funding Law
Recognized by New Jersey Super Lawyers as a ‘Rising Star,’ if you spend a few minutes with Martin Cabalar, you’ll realize it’s true. Cabalar, a shareholder in Becker’s New Jersey office, is part of the firm’s community association and construction litigation practice groups. He wears several hats, from serving as General Counsel for community associations […]
Read MoreCondominium Rule Restrictions of Door-to-Deliveries: A Right or a Convenience?
In today’s world, almost anything you can fathom can be conveniently delivered to your door. Whether it is pet food, medicine, or your next meal, you can have seemingly anything you want delivered without ever leaving the comfort of your condominium unit. But has this convenience become a right? Can a condominium control such deliveries?
Read MoreThe Danger of Substituting Artificial Intelligence for Your Attorney
“Don’t confuse your Google Search with My Law Degree.” This is a popular saying found on attorney coffee mugs these days, and this sentiment does not seem so farfetched as we live in a world increasingly dependent on autonomy and artificial intelligence (“AI”). It’s rare to see people without their phone glued to their hands, […]
Read MoreThings Associations Should Know About Tax Deed Sales
Every so often associations will unexpectedly receive notice that a tax deed has been applied for in connection with a parcel or condominium unit in the community. Those notices will describe tax certificates, provide a redemption amount, and state the date on which the parcel or unit will be auctioned for unpaid property taxes if […]
Read MoreThe Corporate Transparency Act
Disclosure Requirements for Corporate Entities – Are You Ready? On January 1, 2021 Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”). The purpose of the CTA is to create a clear standard for incorporation practices throughout the United States for both domestic entities and foreign entities registered to conduct business in the United States, and address […]
Read MoreTort Immunity in New Jersey Community Associations
The word “immunity” can conjure up many feelings, especially after living through the past few years of COVID-19. This is somewhat ironic because a different type of immunity became a flashpoint for community associations during the pandemic – tort immunity. Tort immunity is a legal theory that provides, in certain circumstances, that a person or […]
Read MoreHoliday Decorations – Ho, Ho, Ho or Bah Humbug?
As the holiday season approaches, it is a good time for associations to consider its authority regarding outdoor holiday decorations. Every community is different, and opinions vary about when the holiday decorations should be put up and “how much” is “too much.” Some people want to start decorating for the holidays on November 1, while […]
Read MoreImplementing Condominium Restrictions
When faced with a reoccurring issue in a condominium, the Board of the Directors may want to consider implementing a restriction as a long term solution to the problem. For example, after increasing complaints of loud music at late hours, the Board of Directors may consider a restriction as to when and to what extent […]
Read MoreThe Effect of Section 720.3045, Florida Statute on Homeowner Association
Section 720.3045, Florida Statutes was created during the recent legislative session as part of House Bill 437. This section prevents associations from restricting the installation, display and storage of “any item” on a parcel that is not visible from the parcel’s frontage or an adjacent parcel, unless same are prohibited by general law or local […]
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