The Orlando Condo Blog

A reserve study is a homeowner association’s essential long range planning tool. It charts a schedule for the board to follow for major repairs and replacements (paint, roofing, etc.) and forecasts a budget for each event so the board can set aside money (reserves) each year so adequate funds will be available when the various [...]

Question: The HOA manager told me that my swimming suit was not appropriate and that I should wear something that would cover more. I am Brazilian and I was wearing a bikini that is smaller than the others. But there’s no HOA rule that says that Brazilian bikinis are forbidden. The guide only states “proper [...]

Question: I need information on HOA policies and procedures with regards to fining. Can you help me? Answer: Generally, the board has the authority to enact reasonable rules and enforcement procedures. They should include:  Clearly definition of the issue (parking, pets, failure to pay HOA fees) Consequences for failing to obey like fines or curtailing [...]

Question: We have a president who solicits co-owner involvement when the board is discussing business at a board meeting. Should co-owners be allowed to participate in board discussion as if they were a board member? Should a board meeting be conducted like a town hall meeting where everyone can speak? It is my contention that [...]

Question: We recently got a professional reserve study done. Our budget committee took the information and plugged it into a spreadsheet that will allow us to postpone the need for a professional study revision. The substitute study changes some of the assumptions, like reducing the recommended reserve contribution and the inflation rate. By doing this, [...]

The purpose of a Maintenance Plan is to instruct a homeowner association board and property manager how to properly maintain common element components. Following a well prepared Maintenance Plan will help extend the useful life of the components and reduce costs to the members. An effective preventive maintenance plan should satisfy the following five key [...]

In common wall housing, unit flooding and damage can happen for a variety of reasons including roof leaks, water supply pipes leak, toilet/bathtub overflows and washer hose ruptures. Who is responsible for water damage, the HOA or unit owner? First, determine the actual cause of the loss and whether any of the involved parties were [...]

Question: Can a majority of owners present at an annual meeting override what the board has done or direct it by vote to do something? If not, what should the president’s response to the effort be? Answer: The answer is a definite qualified “maybe”. Generally speaking, the board is authorized to interpret the governing documents [...]

Question: I have just read one of your articles that stated: “If the reserve fund Percent Funded is below 100%, implement a funding strategy to increase that level to the 100% goal as soon as possible.” From my research, reserve study specialists often recommend that reserves be 100% funded but add that the law does [...]

You think you have animal control problems in your homeowner association? Forget the barking dogs and stray cats! Just look at this notice posted by a Florida HOA: Alligator Safety Tips  Don’t bother them and usually they won’t bother you. Don’t swim outside posted swimming areas or in waters that might contain large alligators. Don’t [...]