I can’t tell you how many times I heard clients tell me that they were scared that a Board member was in their home unannounced or that they feared a Board member was going to come into their home unannounced.

The claim is usually made by people who have had disagreements with the Board or a particular Board member in the past.  Sometimes, owners will freak out when their enemy in the condominium gets elected to the Board and that person now has access to everyone’s keys to their unit that they are required to post with the association.

So when exactly is the Board allowed to enter your unit?

          Florida Statute 718.111 states:

(5) RIGHT OF ACCESS TO UNITS.—

(a) The association has the irrevocable right of access to each unit during reasonable hours, when necessary for the maintenance, repair, or replacement of any common elements or of any portion of a unit to be maintained by the association pursuant to the declaration or as necessary to prevent damage to the common elements or to a unit.

How many times I have heard unit owners claim that the Board made up an excuse to enter my home because they claim they thought there was a water leak coming from my unit.  Or, they thought there was a problem with the electrical power in my unit.  Or, they thought that there was a weird noise coming from my unit.

Can you imagine that happening?  Someone coming into your home and poking around your unit looking for whatever they want under false pretenses.  Has it happened before?  Yes, it happens more than you think.  If you don’t believe me, ask Donald Trump.  In today’s political climate, it can even happen to a former President of the United States.