Blogs & Resources

One of the most challenging aspects of effectively running and operating a condominium association is the constant turnover in board membership and the inconsistency this creates concerning rules enforcement. Most association board seats are up for reelection at least every two years if not every year. When members decide to run for the board, they often do so because they feel the current board is not properly running the association or enforcing its rules. Yet once a newly elected and motivated board attempts to right the ship and enforce the bylaws and rules and regulations, it finds itself having to respond to selective enforcement defenses due to the prior board’s failure to act. This presents quite the conundrum. Board members have a fiduciary duty to enforce the association’s governing documents but cannot do so effectively. There must be a solution. This Blog post will discuss how a board can avoid the selective enforcement defense when enforcing condominium association rules and regulations.

By Austin B Calhoun

Construction is a risky business. One risk is the danger to the public from activities of incompetent contractors. The Florida Legislature has addressed this risk. Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, regulates construction “contracting,” as defined in Section 489.105(6). To protect the public, a business organization that wishes to engage in contracting must be “licensed.” To be licensed, a business organization must have a “qualifying agent” in accordance with Chapter 489 concerning the scope of the work to be performed under the contract. Fla. Stat. 489.128(1)(a) (2014). This requirement raises questions: Who is a qualifying agent? How does a company register a qualifying agent in accordance with Chapter 489? When does a company need to register a qualifying agent? This blog answers these three questions and addresses the federal Lake Eola Builders case that tries to craft an exception to the strict rules of Chapter 489.

Charles Jimerson – A Lawyer Snapshot:  Meet Mr. Charles B. Jimerson.

Many Florida contractors and license holders have a general understanding of the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (“CILB”), but like many quasi-judicial bodies, it can remain a mystery to those who practice and appear in front of the CILB. For those who chose to appear pro se in front of […]

The Condominium Act and the Homeowners’ Association Act create separate thresholds for perfecting a claim of lien for delinquent assessments. Both acts require specific notices to the delinquent owner before the association may record a claim of lien. Even with all of these statutory requirements, a savvy unit owner may be able […]

The declaration of condominium is the instrument by which a condominium is created. Fla. Stat. § 718.103(15). Florida courts have often referred to a declaration of condominium as the condominium’s “constitution” because it “strictly governs the relationships among the condominium unit owners and the condominium association.” Woodside Vill. Condo. Ass’n, Inc. v. Jahren, 806 So.2d 452, 456 (Fla. 2002). Yet what commonly happens is that, over time, unit owners and/or the board of directors of condo associations grow to dislike certain declaration provisions. Those bound by the declaration cannot simply ignore those unwanted provisions; rather, they must take action to amend and/or otherwise change the declaration. Fortunately, Condo Associations have the statutory right to amend their declarations and may even unilaterally void declaration provisions in certain circumstances. This blog post will discuss this right in more detail.

The Condominium Act and the Homeowners’ Association Act create separate thresholds for perfecting a claim of lien for delinquent assessments. Both acts require specific notices to the delinquent owner before the association may record a claim of lien. A claim of lien creates an interest in real property in favor of the […]

Featured in the September 2014 Issue Partner’s Perspective: Important Information for Condo Board Members and Managers J&C Named one of the “50 Fastest Growing Companies in Northeast Florida” J&C Named One of the “Best Places to Work in Northeast Florida” J&C Attorney Now Certified in Georgia New Law Blogs Curiosities, […]

Every condo association finds itself having to deal with tenants who break the association’s rules and regulations. While the association’s governing documents may allow it to take certain actions against those tenants, the Florida Statutes provide for remedies as well. Specifically, Section 718.303, Florida Statutes, defines the obligations of not only unit owners but also their tenants and explains the remedies available to an association when those tenants violate its rules. This Blog post will discuss in detail a condo association’s statutory remedies against those tenants who violate the association’s declaration, rules and regulations.

An important aspect of condominium association law is responding to estoppel requests from prospective purchasers or those who take title to a condominium unit by foreclosure. The nature of the request will be the new owner or lender requesting the current outstanding balance due for condominium assessments for the unit. […]