Nearly all of Florida’s community associations have rules and regulations governing various aspects of community living. It is common for those rules and regulations to include restrictions on vehicle usage, and oftentimes there will be specific restrictions on the use of golf carts within the community. But Florida community associations […]
With Florida condominiums, excessive wear and tear on the common elements may shorten their useful life and expedite costly repairs and maintenance. This problem may be exacerbated at larger condominium associations when both tenants and owners are using the common elements. A condominium association can mitigate these deleterious effects by […]
One of the most challenging aspects of effectively running and operating a condominium association is the constant turnover in board membership and the inconsistency this creates concerning rules enforcement. Most association board seats are up for reelection every one to two years. When members decide to run for the board, […]
Over the past few years each legislative session in Florida seems to generate new laws that impose various requirements on local governments. Some are labeled “unfunded mandates” and others are described as an assault on “home rule”. But as bad as those things sound, the reality is that most state […]
Many leases contain renewal language, allowing the lessee to renew the lease term after the original lease term expires. These provisions sometimes contain notice requirements and fulfillment of certain conditions precedent. In some instances, the leases may automatically renew. In any case, the terms of the lease renewal require certainty […]
What’s that smell? What’s that sound? What am I looking at? Whatever it is offends me. Could it be a nuisance? Florida Condominium associations deal with nuisance complaints on a regular basis. The challenge in addressing nuisance issues is defining exactly what constitutes a nuisance. Generally, nuisance is defined in […]
There are benefits to community associations using drones for issues such as covenant enforcement and common area maintenance. The biggest of which is the cost effectiveness and efficiency of using drones instead of individuals to perform these inspections. However, there are significant risks as well. There are a number of […]
Although it is rarely welcomed by the owners, condo associations are permitted by Florida statute to impose special assessments for necessary and routine maintenance. There are a lot of considerations that come into play in deciding whether special assessments for necessary maintenance are required, both procedural and substantive considerations. For […]
Community associations are businesses. Not only are they corporate entities, but they collect revenue (i.e., owner assessments) and incur expenses planned for through a yearly budget. Just like any other business, community associations find themselves in unfavorable contractual relationships with other entities. Unique to community associations, these entities often find […]
Bulk services agreements are those agreements entered into between a condominium association or homeowners association and a company for providing similar services to the community’s entire membership. These are most commonly used for providing the community with broadband services, such as phone, cable and internet service. The benefit of bulk […]