The start of the new year means election season for community associations across the state. To help alleviate some of the burden board’s may be feeling this time of year, we focus this month on answering some of the frequently asked questions we receive from communities about election dos and don’ts. Is a voting certificate […]
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Community Update – December 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, we look back at a selection of our most popular Community Update articles. Read on for a refresher on special assessments, juggling both your official association communications with your personal information, and speeding issues in your community. Also, we feature our top read article from our new Spanish feature […]
Read MoreMake Your Vote Count at This Year’s Condominium Election
Many condominiums throughout the state are getting ready for their annual meeting. This means that election season is also underway as the election occurs at the time of the annual meeting. Remember that two notices are required. The first should be sent at least 60 days before the election and the second, at least 14 […]
Read MoreAttorneys Need Not Always Be Your Attack Dog
I am lucky enough to be part of a profession with many specialties and even luckier to work for a variety of communities and to meet a variety of people. This has taught me a few things that I want to share. While it is great to have an attorney ready to bite off the […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – August 2019
Community Associations must learn to effectively communicate amongst themselves. Over time, more and more messages have become electronic, social media has become a popular platform for communication, and the lines between personal/professional messages have become increasingly blurred. It’s now more important than ever to understand the rules and regulations regarding these distinctions. Our featured article, […]
Read MoreE-Notice for Everyone
It is 2019 and e-mail has, for many, replaced the U.S. Postal service and our voicemails. In the community association setting, many boards send their members communications regarding construction projects, newsletters, and simple FYIs via e-mail and members respond in kind. For the most part, this is appreciated. The problem is that many associations
Read MoreBecker Attorneys Recognized as Florida Legal Elite
Becker is pleased to announce that eight attorneys have been recognized in the 2019 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™. Now in its sixteenth year, Florida Legal Elite publishes an annual roster of attorneys held in the highest regard by their peers and includes fewer than 1.3% of the active Florida Bar Members […]
Read MorePSA: Condominiums and Websites
I have previously written a few articles for our Community Update about the website requirement for condominiums operating at least 150 units. Just recently, I represented a condominium that was being investigated by the Division of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), for among other things, failing to have a website.
Read MoreEight Becker Attorneys Newly Board Certified in Condominium & Planned Development Law
June 3, 2019 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – We are pleased to announce that eight Becker attorneys are newly minted as Florida Bar Board Certified in Condominium & Planned Development Law. The specialty encompasses the practice of law that involves representing community associations and their members, property owners, sellers, purchasers, developers, lenders, governmental agencies, and […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – April 2019
As most everyone knows, volunteering to serve on your community’s board can oftentimes be a thankless job. This month, we break down some of the rights and responsibilities that the position holds. In our featured article, “Can an Association Be Held Liable for Discriminatory Conduct of Residents?” we explore some of the questions that arise […]
Read MoreElection Voting Assistance
In the Condominium Act, it is very clear that only a unit’s owner can vote in election. That means that an election can’t be decided through the use of proxies (limited or general). There is an exception for associations with fewer than ten units who have voted to follow a different voting procedure. In such […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – March 2019
Happy spring! As we move into the new season, there’s no better time to start thinking about spring cleaning for your association! Whether your association board has new members or your building is in need of maintenance, now is the time to make sure you’re on the right track for success. When strangers come together […]
Read MoreThe Project Costs What!?! That Requires A Membership Vote
Condominium Associations are in the maintenance game it seems at times. Just when one project ends, another is beginning. Maintenance is simply a fact of life for all condominiums. A big problem arises in many condominiums, however, when the maintenance project is deemed by the membership to be too expensive as they believe the cost […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – February 2019
This month’s update is all about lowering your risk profile. Read on for a playbook of best practices and procedures that your association should be aware of when dealing with difficult situations such as tenant enforcement actions, insurance company lawsuits, sexual harassment claims, and more. Our featured article, Enforcement Tool Belt – Fining and Suspension, […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – January 2019
Welcome to 2019! We hope that your year is off to a wonderful start. In this issue we hit the ground running so that you can rest assured your association is beginning the new year on a high note. Don’t commit a party foul! This month’s featured article, Performing Rights for Organizations and Associations, digs […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – December 2018
As 2018 comes to a close, we look back at a selection of our most popular Community Update articles. From changes in law to navigating and implementing rules for your association, here are the top five most read articles from this year. For those concerned with regulating smoking in the common areas of your association, Smoking […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – November 2018
Recent updates to the laws and regulations governing association operations are making an impact. In this issue we aim to provide you with the necessary tools and information to move your association forward into the New Year. As of July 1, 2018, condominium associations must now maintain records of their meeting minutes forever. Our first […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – October 2018
Fear not! We’ve got nothing here to scare you. Rather than something spooky on Halloween, we’re aiming for items that are helpful to clarify or ease the board member or management responsibilities you have for your community. So yes, it’s a treat! Our first article, Term Limit Law Continues to Spark Controversy, takes a look […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – September 2018
Of course it doesn’t feel like it in Florida but autumn is officially here, which means before you know it breathing outdoors will be possible again. This of course means more and more comfortable time outdoors, more residents back to living in your association and with it all – more risk. That’s why in this […]
Read MoreDo My HOA’s Rules Have to be Recorded?
Community Update – August 2018
With back-to-school season in full swing we don’t want you to miss out on your share of continuing education – certainly not when it comes to the board member or management responsibilities you have for your community. After all, why should the kids have all the fun? In this issue, we aim to provide you […]
Read MoreThere’s a Membership Meeting in my HOA, Where Does the Notice get Mailed?
It is commonly understood that membership meeting notices are mailed to members in addition to being conspicuously posted. The address used has historically been either the property address in the community or an alternate address provided by the members. Effective July 1, 2018 however, the address to be used takes on a new characteristic for […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – July 2018
Summer is here in full dew point oppression, and while many people take this time to vacate the area, many managers and board members are hard at work with the day-to-day operations and maintenance of Florida’s communities. In this issue, we hope to make some of that work a bit easier. Our featured article, There’s […]
Read MoreSeven Becker Attorneys Recognized as Florida Legal Elite
Becker is proud to announce that seven of our shareholders were recently recognized in the 2018 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™. Alan Becker, Steve Lesser and Ken Direktor from our Ft. Lauderdale office, Marilyn Perez-Martinez and Hugo Alvarez from the Miami office, Gary Schaaf from our Tampa office, and Joseph E. Adams from […]
Read MoreBuilding Your Association’s Website – What to Ask and How to Make it Happen
What’s New With Official Records?
Becker, Seven Attorneys Recognized by South Florida Legal Guide
Becker & Poliakoff is honored to be recognized as a “Top Law Firm” for 2018 by the South Florida Legal Guide. We also proudly congratulate the following attorneys named by the SFLG as “Top Lawyers” in its January edition: Perry M. Adair – Commercial and Business Litigation, Real Estate – Land Use and Zoning Alan S. […]
Read MoreMyCondoNeedsAWebsite.com
Conflicts of Interest – Is it time for a new Code of Conduct?
Florida Trend Names Six Becker & Poliakoff Attorneys as Legal Elite
Now in its 13th year, Florida Legal Elite presents a prestigious roster of attorneys chosen for recognition by their peers. The 1,144 lawyers listed in this section exemplify a standard of excellence in their profession and by so doing, have garnered the respect and esteem of their colleagues. The following attorneys have been selected by […]
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