For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! At some point, every building will require concrete repairs and restoration. If you’ve ever undertaken a concrete restoration project, you’re aware of the many challenges they entail: substantial costs, lengthy time delays, irritation over hurricane shutters, windows and doors, uncooperative owners and the potential […]
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Becker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 5, February 5 – February 9, 2024
Halfway Mark The legislative session reached its “halfway” mark, Day 30, on Wednesday, February 7th. Legislators are now heading into the second half of the 2024 session with both chambers having passed only 12 bills thus far. Many of those bills are technical statutory revision bills required each year to make updates and delete provisions […]
Read More“Statute Of Limitations Apply to Associations” – News-Press
Q: My homeowners’ association recently sent me a notice stating that I had to remove a number of tree stumps in my back yard. The stumps are from trees that were removed following Hurricane Irma. Nothing has changed since those trees were cut down over five years ago. I don’t understand why my association is […]
Read MoreBecker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 4, January 29 – February 2, 2024
Budget HB 5001- General Appropriations Act by House Appropriations Committee and Chair Leek SB 2500- Appropriations by Senate Appropriations Committee The budgets proposed by the House and Senate were heard in the Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, January 31. Lawmakers discussed the spending plan for the upcoming year with the House proposing a spending package of […]
Read MoreBecker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 3, January 22 – January 26, 2024
Healthcare SB 248 – Medical Negligence by Senator Yarborough SB 248 by Senator Yarborough proposes changes to the Florida Wrongful Death Act. The act currently allows families to seek compensation for non-economic damages if the Department of Health (DOH) or the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) concludes that a facility or practitioner violated the […]
Read More“Is Self-Insurance Possible For Community Associations?” – Florida Community Association Journal
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 […]
Read More2022 Hurricane Nicole Permit Extension Opportunity Extended Further
Property owners, developers, construction industry professionals, and other permit- and authorization-holders may have even more opportunities for further extensions due to Hurricane Nicole in 2022. The following provides an overview of the permit extensions available under law, including what gives rise to the extensions, the types of permits and authorizations that are covered, and how […]
Read More“Emergency Voting by E-mail Questioned” – News-Press
Q: I am on the board of my condominium association, and we are in the process of repairing our building following damage from Hurricane Ian last year. The board of directors must make numerous decisions regarding the reconstruction process. To facilitate the reconstruction, the board has been using an online system where each board member […]
Read MoreBecker’s Washington Weekly: Week of September 4, 2023
Congress Returns from Recess The Senate returns to DC this week from its month-long August recess, with the House to follow next week. Members have a lengthy agenda to attend to in the coming weeks, including passing a government funding package by September 30th to avoid a shutdown. Senate appropriators have marked up all 12 […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – August 2023
Hurricane Idalia is reported to be the worst hurricane to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend in 100 years. Our hearts are with everyone affected and we are always here to help. Our website contains a significant amount of educational information for your community. Should your property incur damage, the firm’s affiliated public adjusting company, Association […]
Read MoreYou May Be Able to Extend Your Permit Expiration Dates Due to Hurricane Idalia – Here’s How
As Hurricane Idalia heads for Florida’s Gulf Coast, some property owners, developers, construction industry professionals, and other building permit- and authorization-holders may be eligible for extensions to preserve their development and construction rights. A Florida law allows certain qualifying permits and authorizations to be extended beyond their current expiration dates once the Governor issues a […]
Read More“Insurance Proceeds Should Be Bonded” – News-Press
Q: My condominium association is in the process of renewing its insurance policies and our insurance agent advised that we needed a fidelity bond policy with a higher limit for the coming year because of the insurance proceeds the association received following Hurricane Ian. Why would we need higher limits on our fidelity bond? (W.K, […]
Read MoreWe’re Having a Heat Wave – The Physical and Mental Impacts from Extreme Heat and What Your Community Should Do with Dr. Jason Mansour, Medical Director at Broward Health Medical Center’s Emergency Department
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! Brace yourself for a deep dive into the hot issues surrounding extreme summer heat with host, Donna DiMaggio Berger, and guest Dr. Jason Mansour, Medical Director at Broward Health Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Together, they discuss the physical and mental impact of extreme heat events. This […]
Read More“Boards Cannot Vote By E-Mail” – News-Press
Q: Can the board of an association conduct business by e-mail vote between meetings, and then ratify the votes at the next board meeting? (A.Z., via e-mail) A: No. Section 718.112(2)(c) of the Florida Condominium Act and Section 720.303(2)(a) of the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act, both state that directors may communicate with each other regarding […]
Read MorePreparing for Extreme Heat: The New Natural Disaster
The word “hot” has many connotations: it can reveal anger when you say someone is “hot around the collar”; it can invoke personal appeal or desirability “he’s so hot”; it can refer to a disorganized person or situation, hence the description as “a hot mess”; and can also be used to describe an emotional issue […]
Read MoreFlorida Governor Signs SB 250 into Law
On June 28, 2023, the Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill 250 (see Chapter 2023-304, Laws of Florida), which makes various amendments throughout the Florida Statutes regarding the preparation and response activities of state and local governments when natural emergencies impact the state. Supporters of Senate Bill 250 (the “Bill”) believe the Bill […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – June 2023
June’s edition of CUP brings a range of topics for managers and board members. Whether you’re wondering how SB 154 will impact your association, struggling with a unit owner who has not paid dues, or submitting an SBA loan application, we’ve got something for you. Discover an incredible journey through the eye of a storm as […]
Read MoreBest Practices for Hurricane Preparedness
It’s that time of year again. As the days get longer and the weather gets hotter, we know that hurricane season is fast approaching. Therefore, this is a good time to review some of the “best practices” to prepare for and protect the association in the event a hurricane comes our way.
Read MoreSurviving the Storm: A Journey Through Hurricane Ian and Beyond with Joseph E. Adams, Becker & Poliakoff
For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here! What would you do if you found yourself in the eye of a devastating hurricane? This week, our guest and Becker Shareholder, Joseph E. Adams, sits down with Donna DiMaggio Berger and relives this very question when he rode out Hurricane Ian in his home on Fort […]
Read More“Submitting an SBA Loan Application” – Florida Community Association Journal
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 […]
Read More“Lessons Learned from Past Hurricanes” – FCAP Managers Report
In 2004 the east coast of Florida was struck in very short order by two significant hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne. While we learned many, many lessons from those hurricanes, one of the problems that we faced, over which we had limited control, was the issue of communication. While many clients did not have up-to-date email […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – May 2023
This edition of Becker’s Community Update highlights remote voting, managing your personnel, and constitutional rights. Don’t miss the 50th anniversary video that showcases Becker’s rich history and culture. Also featured this month is our Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery Guide. While we hope to be spared from the worst, it’s crucial that your community association is […]
Read More“Use of Surplus Money Questioned” – News-Press
Q: My condominium association recently approved a special assessment to pay for a construction project. The project is now completed and there is money left over. The board has now called a meeting where they are going to consider the applying those funds to a different project. Isn’t the association required to return this money […]
Read MoreCommunity Update – April 2023
The 2023 Legislative Session has brought significant changes to Community Associations. In this Community Update, we address new restrictions on design and construction defect claims as well as recent amendments to the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Don’t miss the latest podcast featuring Dr. Esber Andiroglu, Professor Harold R. Wanless, and Donna DiMaggio Berger on the […]
Read MoreBecker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 6, April 10-14, 2023
Headliners CS/HB 7 – Pregnancy and Parenting Support by Representative Persons-Mulicka SB 300 – Pregnancy and Parenting Support by Senator Grall On Thursday, April 13, after more than seven hours of discourse and more than 50 amendments filed on the House floor, all of which were not adopted, SB 300, passed with a vote of […]
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