I often times get phone calls from board members who are upset about the fact that some new owner went through the screening process, filled out the application, paid the fee and showed up for an interview. But it turns out that there are more people living in the unit than expected and none of…
Month: March 2021
WHEN IS A MEETING A MEETING?
It’s funny how many times over the years, Boards have told me “We weren’t having a meeting, we were only talking about the condo” or “We weren’t having a meeting, we were in a workshop.” For clarification, let’s see how a “meeting” is defined by law. For a condominium, the Florida Administrative Code says: (1)(a)…
LET'S HAVE A DEBATE
There certainly have been a few debates lately and there may be another on the way. Who Knows? Maybe you think Trump won. Maybe you think Biden won. Maybe you think Pence won or maybe you think Harris won. It doesn’t matter if some of you even think the fly won. The bottom line is…
MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR HOA ELECTION NIGHT RIGHT
While the condo statute outlines a very specific and rigid procedure on how HOAs should conduct the election, the HOA Statute doesn’t say much at all: Elections of directors must be conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the governing documents of the association. Except as provided in paragraph (b), all…
SAVE MONEY! APPEAL YOUR REAL ESTATE TAXES AS A GROUP
Do you believe that your real estate taxes too high? Why not appeal your tax bill as a group? Under Florida Law, a condominium association can file a property tax appeal petition on behalf of all of the unit owners in the condominium. Once a petition is filed, the Value Adjustment Board sets the case for…
A TALE OF TWO ELECTIONS-PART 1
This is a story about John and Jane. John lives in a condominium in Miami and Jane lines in an H.O.A. in Central Florida. Election season is approaching quickly in both of their communities. While it may seem at first glance that all things are equal…….that is certainly not the case. The election in…
A LABOR DAY TRADITION CONTINUES-5
After living at Peaceful Paradise Condominium for 10 years and minding her own business, Darlys Dogooder decides that she hasn’t done enough volunteer work in her life and chooses to become a Board member. In fact, Darlys goes on to be a role model board member, devoting countless hours to her condominium, but today being…
A LABOR DAY TRADITION CONTINUES-4
Joe Hadanuf is the President of Livinhel Condo. Joe and his Vice President, Haywood Ukilme plan on getting up early, spending the day at the beach and leaving Livinhel in the rear view mirror just for today. After all, it’s Labor Day and even Board members are entitled to one day without dealing with all…
55 AND OVER COMMUNITIES – HOW TO BECOME ONE AND STAY ONE
Yesterday was a big day. I turned 50. It’s a time to not only reminisce about the past, but also a time to think about the future, and retirement and whether or not a “retirement community” or “55 and over” community is in the future. So, what actually is a “55 and over” community? Generally…
BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH
Today is March 15th, otherwise known as “the ides of March.” This was the day The Romans considered as a deadline for settling debts. But most of us relate this phrase to William Shakespeare. In his play Julius Caesar, a soothsayer attracts Caesar’s attention and tells him: “Beware the ides of March.” And as we…