Short-term rentals are this season’s hot topic. Many communities are wondering what they can do to overcome the challenge of having things like Airbnbs pop up in their neighborhood. There are ways that homeowners associations can impose regulations and restrictions on short-term rentals, without legislation having to pass. “A majority of my associations have leasing […]
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“Manager Not Legally Required,” News-Press
Q: The board of my association is considering terminating our management company’s contract and managing the association themselves. Is this permissible or is an association required to have a professional manager? (R.B., via e-mail) A: Neither Chapter 718, Florida Statutes (the Florida Condominium Act), nor Chapter 720, Florida Statutes (the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act), require […]
Read More“Preparing for a Busy Fall Season,” FLCAJ
Because most association fiscal years and elections coincide with the end of the calendar year, preparations should be underway for a busy fall season. Here are a few tips to ease the process: Make a “to-do” list of needed repairs or maintenance for the upcoming year. Maintain and review up-to-date financial data throughout the year […]
Read More“How Does Your Collections Policy Stack Up?,” FLCAJ
Collection of your community’s assessments is critical to maintaining a steady flow of income to support the association’s maintenance responsibilities and maintain the association’s overall fiscal health. Yet with the more urgent day-to-day demands on property managers and volunteer board members, collections can often be neglected or completely overlooked. On day one, new board members […]
Read More“Amendments Can Be Grouped For Voting,” News-Press
Q: My homeowners’ association is preparing to have the members vote on four different amendments to the governing documents. However, the association is proposing putting the four amendments to the owners in one vote, take it or leave it. It was my understanding that the association was required to put each amendment to a separate […]
Read MoreBecker Awards CFCAM Scholarships
Congratulations to Becker CFCAM Scholarship winners Deborah Carroll of Orlando AND Tiffany Jackson of St. Petersburg, pictured respectively. The Becker CFCAM (Certified Florida Community Association Manager) Scholarship is awarded to CAMs who have attained the highest level of Florida-specific professional training and includes all tuition, certification costs, and FCAP membership for one year. Becker is […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – September 2019
As technology moves forward, community associations are becoming more and more self-sufficient. This is, at its core, a great thing. Associations can run their own websites and their own social media, among other activities. It’s important, however, that with this new freedom board members also remain informed on best practices. This month’s spotlight article, “Attorneys […]
Read More“Opinion: Bill Would Benefit Condo Communities by Cutting Down on Support-Animal Fraud,” Miami Herald
Private residential communities currently deal with a plethora of Emotional Support Animal (ESA) requests, however there may be hope on the horizon. Newly filed bill, HB 209, could help grant some relief to those who are trying to fraudulently pass off their furry (or scaly companions), if it passes in the 2020 Florida legislative session. […]
Read More“Directors May Abstain From Voting,” News-Press
Q: In your column of August 5, 2018, titled “Board President Should Vote,” you state that “[u]nder previous law, directors could only abstain from voting if they had a conflict of interest” and “[u]nder current law, directors are permitted to abstain from voting without articulating a reason, though the abstention must be noted in the […]
Read MoreAmericans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) Accessibility for Websites
It is unclear from the current case law, guidance, and the ADA, whether a condominium association, with short term stays of thirty (30) days or less, must provide an accessible website for people with disabilities. One of the only cases to address this situation is Dunn v. Phoenix West II, LLC, et al., 2016 WL […]
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