River Bottom Fight Pits North Palm Neighbors against Pioneer Land Owner

Around the State

Downtown Miami Condo Board Sues Unit Owner for Violating Short-term Rental Ban
Front desk personnel at the Marquis Miami luxury tower near American Airlines Arena began logging the number of guests entering a unit on the 18th floor on March 13. Over the next 10 days, more than two dozen visitors were granted access to the two-bedroom condo owned by DDW Property... (more)

Are Condo Associations Legally Required to Provide Handicap Parking?
He fought to overthrow Fidel Castro a long time ago, and now he is in another battle to get a parking space close to his apartment. He says he needs it, but does the complex have to give it to him? It’s tonight’s Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser. It was October 1960. Salvador Miralles was a pilot in the Cuban Air... (more)

River Bottom Fight Pits North Palm Neighbors against Pioneer Land Owner
“You think you own waterfront property and then somebody comes along and tells you you don’t,″ said the owner of an apartment complex on the Earman River. For 30 years, John Apgar has enjoyed the perks of his backyard dock on the scenic Earman River. First with his late wife and more recently with... (more)

Blog Bits

Vesta's Five Budget Basics
The arrival of Fall means it’s budget season! Often, board members dread the annual budget process, as it can be stressful performing cost savings and negotiating contracts. At Vesta, we’re always looking for ways to help communities, and we’ve gathered a few helpful tips from our experienced industry leaders to share with you.... (more)

Community Rule Development & Enforcement Resolutions
There are four basic types of resolutions for a community association: 1. Policy Resolutions: Affect owner’s rights and obligations and usually address ambiguities and omissions in the declaration. (For example, pool rules, architectural guidelines, and enforcement procedures.) 2. Administrative Resolutions: Address the internal operations of the community association... (more)

What To Do about those Pesky Short-Term Rentals?
There’s a debate that just keeps raging in the HOA world, and that’s short-term rentals. Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, Housetrip, Couchsurfing and Roomerama all provide a service provides a more ‘authentic’ vacation, and it’s cheaper than hotels. In this article we’re going to focus on Airbnb in HOAs, and what your board can do to stop homeowners renting out their... (more)

Green Consulting Services: How to Naturally Manage Your Pond
For homeowners or communities with waterbodies, the lake or pond is often the most tranquil facet of your property, and water quality is one of the most important aspects of a healthy ecosystem. If water quality is compromised, it often leads to unsightly conditions and an unbalanced aquatic... (more)

FCAP Resources

Less Power to You! – Welcome to Conservation
Associations welcome projects with a short payback period and great savings, and that’s what many energy-saving projects deliver. Added on is the benefit of conserving resources (or for some, the cake is conserving resources and the savings are the icing on the cake). Other factors come into play that may deter an individual or association from the alternative using the... (more)

Will the Fraud and Abuse in Emotional Support Animal Requests Finally Be Curtailed?
With increasing frequency, associations are faced with owners’, tenants’, and guests’ requests for accommodations under the Fair Housing Act. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, aka The Fair Housing Amendments Act, found at 42 U.S.C. §3601 et. seq. (1968), was enacted by Congress as a means of... (more)

Appellate Court Clarifies Material Alteration Approval Requirements for Condominiums
As condominiums age, boards of directors choose to update and refurbish the common elements from time to time. Quite often the updates involve changing the appearance and the materials being used, such as replacing carpeting with tile flooring. Such changes frequently become what is called a “material... (more)

Say What?
I am pretty sure that if you spent your winter months soliciting bids for a paving project, then you are probably more confused now than you were when you started! Understanding the lingo of the asphalt industry can be tough if you are unsure about what you are wanting and even tougher if you have no idea! To help you understand some of the options available in the Florida... (more)

Upcoming Events

Is a “No Pet” Building a Thing of the Past?
Community association managers will learn about the Fair Housing laws on the State, Federal and local level that impact community operations and actions with respect to requests to maintain emotional support animals on the property despite pet or animal restrictions. In this course, managers will learn: Topics Covered: • The Fair Housing Act • Disability or Handicap... (more)

Collection & Foreclosure Strategies for Community Assocations
Are collection issues still plaguing your association? Are bank foreclosures dragging on for years with no end in sight? Are you confused about the changes in laws affecting association collection rights and remedies? Please join us as we explore the fundamentals of collections and discuss effective... (more)

Condo Craze Board Member Certification Program
Attorney Eric Glazer, host of the weekly radio show Condo Craze and HOAs who has been practicing Florida association law since 1992, has been approved by the division to certify new directors throughout Florida and teach them about their responsibilities under Florida law regarding such topics as Budgets.
... (more)

CondoJobs

Featured Job of the Week
Building manager for a condominium in Indialantic by the Sea. Will oversee the day to day operations of the condominium, including maintenance, collection and deposit of fees, maintaining resident files, working with outside vendors and owner relations. Will receive onsite training from the retiring manager. Requirements: • High school degree or equivalent, Bachelor’s Degree... (more)