It’s time to tell the members of the association all about the association’s finances, like it or not. Both the Florida condominium and homeowner statutes mandate the following: Within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, or annually on a date provided in the bylaws, the association shall prepare and complete,…
Year: 2012
YOU WANT REFORM? HERE IT COMES…I HOPE
You may recall that a few weeks ago I blogged about the fact that members in an HOA have far less protection than unit owners in a condominium. With the help of Jan Bergemann from CCFJ www.ccfj.net, and our lobbyist, I drafted legislation that would help HOA members throughout Florida. Here are the specifics of…
CAN YOUR BOARD REALLY STOP YOU FROM PUTTING UP YOUR CHRISTMAS OR HANUKAH DECORATIONS IN YOUR CONDO OR HOA?
Ah….the holidays. Thoughts of peace, love and joyous occasions fill our thoughts. Our communities unite and happiness is proclaimed throughout the land. Unless of course you have a Board that doesn’t feel as warm and fuzzy about your holiday decorations as you do. If that’s the situation you find yourself in, just substitute the above…
EVEN IN A CONDO OR HOA - THERE ARE THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
Thanksgiving is just three days away. Even with the “fiscal cliff” looming over our heads, unemployment still too high and Florida leading the nation in the number of foreclosures, surely there must be some things that those of us who live in condominiums or HOAs can be thankful for. Here’s a few: By all…
CONDOS AND HOA solutions
Certification of Board Members: For whatever reason, The Florida Legislature believes that it’s only important for condominium Board members to learn the law, be familiar with their governing documents and get certified. HOA members can just “wing it” I guess. Certainly, education should be required for both HOA board members and condo Board members. …
SHOULD EDUCATION BE REQUIRED FOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS?
A few years ago, the Florida Legislature passed a new law effecting board members of Florida condominium associations only. The law states: Within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board, each newly elected or appointed director shall certify in writing to the secretary of the association that he or she has read…
ELECTION TIME IS HERE
Last week, I received an e-mail from someone who was complaining that her HOA was using the voting and election procedures required by the condominium statute, instead of the HOA statute. In other words, using the Florida Statute 718 laws instead of Florida Statute 720. She wanted to know if this was O.K., since the…
CONDOS AND HOA'S ARE MORE DIFFERENT THAN YOU MAY THINK
I’m hoping that after reading this column today, those of you who live in an HOA will forward some of these concerns to your local Senator or House Member, because I don’t even think they are aware of just how bad the HOA statute is and how condominium owners have far greater protections under the…
GATES AND FENCES CAN BE AS BAD AS BARBED WIRE
Each week, Jan, Darlys and I agree on a new topic to blog about. This week, Jan suggested that we blog about gates and fences. My first thought was……..how much can I possibly write about gates and fences? What comment can I make about a gate or a fence that would make the reader care…
MANAGING THE MANAGER
The amount of hats that a community association manager often has to wear is amazing. Simultaneously, he or she needs to serve as the number cruncher, interior designer, police man, collection agency, master of ceremonies, complaint department, tech expert, unit owner liason and of course chief cook and bottle washer. All the while performing each…