Category Archives: HOA Condo Association
Judge OKs $1.1B Settlement For Victims Of Surfside Collapse
In late June, a judge in the Miami-Dade Circuit Court gave final approval to a $1.02 billion settlement worked out between the victims and several parties accused of contributing to the Champlain Towers disaster. Approximately one year ago, the south tower at Champlain Towers partially collapsed, killing 98 people, and while no ultimate cause… Read More »
Dealing With Condo Termination In Florida
When you buy a condo in Florida, you are likely doing so with the expectation that you can live your golden years out there. However, recent years have given the lie to that statement, due to the evolution of a process that is known as condo termination. There are various reasons why this might… Read More »
HOA Disputes & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Disputes between members of a homeowners’ association (HOA) and its board are fairly common, but the methods by which they are resolved will differ. Community associations in Florida have quite a lot of power, but they cannot simply act with impunity. One of the requirements that the law imposes is that most disagreements between… Read More »
Major Changes To Florida Condo Law After Surfside
On June 24, 2021, the south tower at Champlain Towers in Surfside, FL partially collapsed, killing 98 and rendering all of the 136 units in the tower uninhabitable. While the ultimate cause of the collapse is still under investigation as of this writing, Florida’s legislature has seen fit to start the process of preventing… Read More »
Florida Passes New Condominium Safety Bill
After the June 24, 2021 partial collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, FL, which killed 98 people, Florida lawmakers immediately began to search for ways to improve the safety regulations and general standard of living for condo dwellers all across Florida. In late May 2022, the Governor signed what is known as the… Read More »
Use Restrictions In Florida HOAs
When someone moves into a house that is in a Florida homeowners’ association (HOA), they tacitly accept some use restrictions in exchange for an orderly community. However, it is sadly not uncommon for HOA board members to overstep their bounds and try to impose restrictions that are either unenforceable or just plain unreasonable. It… Read More »
HOAs And “Florida-Friendly” Landscaping
If one joins a homeowners’ association (HOA), they should be aware that the HOA has extensive powers to regulate things that might otherwise be up to the individual homeowner. One of the areas in which clashes routinely occur is landscaping – most HOAs have broad leeway to dictate what a homeowner can and cannot… Read More »
Bulk Telecommunications Contracts In Florida Community Associations
Under Florida law, both homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and condo boards have the authority to enter into bulk contracts for “communication services,” which may include video, telephone, and internet services. This may come as a shock to members of the association, particularly if they are pleased with their current services. The board does have the… Read More »
Community Seeks Legal Help After 400% Fee Increase From HOA
In early 2022, a community in South Florida called The Hammocks received notice that their homeowners’ association planned to raise fees by approximately 400%. Instead of acquiescing or choosing to take it up with the HOA board, the residents have planned to try a different approach – seeking an injunction from the 11th Circuit… Read More »
Defining “Structural Maintenance” For Community Associations
In many Florida community associations, the HOA or condominium board will be held generally responsible for ‘structural’ maintenance – that is, maintenance when it comes to the ‘common elements.’ However, sometimes there are disputes about both what constitutes a ‘common element,’ and what degree of maintenance is required to be performed by the community… Read More »