Perspectives

Two and half weeks ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida. Hurricane Ian was practically a worst-case scenario for our area and has impacted essentially every person and community. The recovery for many of our communities will take years and the process is only beginning. In response to Hurricane Ian, the Governor has declared […]

Recovery From Hurricane Ian Unfortunately, Hurricane Ian was a historic storm and has left a wide and substantial swath of damage across Southwest Florida. As we all work to recover from the ongoing effects of Hurricane Ian, I would like to share a few pointers we have learned from past storms and some things we […]

Q: I understand that the board of directors of my condominium association has the authority to levy special assessments. However, is there any requirement on when special assessments must be due? Does the association have to allow at least 30 days or more before the special assessment can be due? (M.B., via e-mail) A: The […]

Q: I understand that if the board of directors posts notice for a meeting, and a majority of board members are there, that is a board meeting. However, what if a board just holds a workshop to discuss certain items and to get input, but no vote is taken. What is that, and is that […]

Q: I recently contacted my condominium association to get an account status for refinancing my mortgage. I was charged $299.00, which seems like a lot. Is this a valid charge? (J.R., via e-mail) A: The Condominium Act, the Cooperative Act, and the Homeowners’ Association Act, all regulate the amount the associations can charge for “estoppel […]

Q: Our association has a requirement that no cars be parked in the street. I keep receiving letters from the manager saying that keeping a car parked in front of my house is a violation and that the letters are because of complaints from my neighbors. Am I allowed to be told who complained? (M.P., […]

As previously discussed in this column, the Legislature adopted SB4-D effective May 26, 2022. In addition to imposing new requirements for structural inspections for buildings of 3 stories or more in height, and significantly changing the reserve laws, the new law also creates new reporting requirements for condominium and cooperative associations. The law requires that […]

Q: Can a condominium association ban smoking inside condominium unit? I have discomfort and health concerns related to my neighbor’s constant smoking. (M.C., via e-mail) A: There is no case law on this topic, and it is not addressed in the statute. The board is usually given the authority to adopt rules regarding the common […]

Q: It is my understanding that board meetings require paper posting of notice on the condominium property. However, our board does not always post notice saying that “they forgot.” What action can be taken to address a failure to post meeting notice as required? (M.G., via e-mail) A: Board members have a fiduciary duty to […]

Q: I own a unit in a condominium association that is part of a larger community made up of a number of other condominium associations and homeowners’ associations, all of which are governed by a master association. This raises questions about which documents control. For example, the master association’s documents state that leases must be […]

Q: I have heard that there will be efforts to change the new condominium law about inspections and reserves. Can you shed any light on what the proposals might be and their chances of passing? (S.G., via e-mail) You can read my initial summary of the new statute in my column “Enforcement of New Structural […]

Q: There has been confusion on my HOA board regarding when the association can record a lien against a delinquent owner. I thought we could lien after 45 days, but our manager says we must give a warning letter first. Is this correct? (G.M., via e-mail) A: More or less. First, the association needs to […]

Q: In a previous column, you mentioned the new statute that deals with building inspections and reserves. I understand the reason for these changes, but do not understand how they are enforced or how extensive they are. Can you comment further on that? (S.S., via e-mail) A: This may be the most impactful change to […]

Q: My homeowners’ association board has voted on topics that were not posted on the agenda; therefore, homeowners did not know they would be voting on these items. Is this legal? (G.P., via e-mail) A: In condominiums, a board may not take action on any item at a board meeting unless the item was placed […]

Q:  My condominium association board voted to replace the roofs on the condominium buildings, which are 20 years old. I am not aware of any major issue with the roofs. Our condominium documents say that any capital improvement must be approved by a majority of the unit owners. Can the board do this? (M.N., via […]