The Orlando Condo Blog

What Rules and Regulations are Enforceable? I am often asked by readers whether guest restrictions are enforceable. Residents often want to know whether the Association can require them to notify management when guests arrive or whether it is appropriate to require guests to register with the Association. The answer to these questions is, almost inevitably, [...]

The Florida Condominium Act requires both developer-controlled associations and unit-owner controlled associations to prepare a “Frequently Asked Questions and Answers” (commonly referred to as a “Q&A Sheet”).  The Q&A Sheet must include information: regarding unit owners’ voting rights; unit use restrictions, including restrictions on leasing of a unit; indicating whether and in what amount the unit owners [...]

Mediation is an effective way to resolve disputes. Florida Courts require the parties to a lawsuit to attempt to settle the dispute at mediation before the trial starts.  There are many benefits to mediation - it is private, the proceedings are confidential, if successful it reduces the costs to each side of the case and enables the parties to ”think outside the box”.  The mediator is a neutral third party [...]

FHA Extends Approval Procedures – New Mortgagee Letter Issued The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) implemented a new approval process for condominium projects and insurance requirements for mortgages on individual units in November, 2009.  FHA also announced certain exceptions to its standard criteria.  Please note the following: The November 2009 guidelines temporarily increased the number of permitted FHA insured [...]

We receive a number of reader inquiries on a weekly basis.  In most cases a response to the inquiry is included in the comment field itself, after the relevant blog post.  Here are a few of the inquiries received in the last week, with our responses: QUESTION: How can I learn if my townhouse is FHA certified? [...]

While it is important. serving on the association’s board is time consuming and can often become frustrating. You have a multitude of issues competing for your attention – whether its adopting the budget, monitoring performance and renewing service contracts, insurance renewals, supervision/hiring and retention of employees or collecting delinquent assessments. Board members are also faced [...]

Everything You Wanted to Know about Being a Condominium Board Member… But Were Afraid to Ask! Condominium Board Member Certification. Approved by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation** Why Attend? Comply with State Law** (see below) Understand your legal responsibilities and obligations including your “fiduciary duty”; Gain insights into governing through case studies and [...]

I want to thank everyone that attended the webinar today and especially thank both Scott Peterson and guest Seth Heller for their insight regarding this hot-button issue. We will post a link to the recorded webinar when it is available and address some of the most frequently asked questions here on this site. We emphasized [...]

Live Webinar on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 — 2:00 PM–3:00 PM Eastern (1:00 PM-2:00 PM Central): Funding Owner Delinquencies: Collecting Rent From Tenants The 2010 Florida Legislature created new procedures for community associations to collect assessments from tenants of owners who are in arrears. You’ll want to join us to hear about these new collection [...]

As a result of SB 1196, the law now prohibits HOA directors, officers, or committee members from receiving any salary or compensation from the association for the performance of his or her duties as a director, officer, or committee member.   This is basically the same rule that applies to condominium association directors. However, Section 720.303(12), Florida [...]