Without exception, the affirmative defense of “selective enforcement” is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the entire body of community association law. How often have you heard something like this: “The board has not enforced the fence height limitation, so it cannot enforce any other architectural rules”? Simply put, nothing could be further from […]
Author Archives: rembaumlaw
Hosting Virtual Meetings via Zoom | What You Need to Know
The most asked question of 2020 is this: Can our association host our board and annual meetings using Zoom or another similar virtual/electronic platform? There is no doubt that technology will always advance faster than legislation. In fact, advances in technology seem to take place in light speed where as advances in legislation seem to […]
Discriminatory Practices: Is Your Association Prepared?
On September 26, 2016, Rembaum’s Association Round Up published an extremely important article regarding a community association’s potential liability when allegations by one member accuse another member of a discriminatory practice. (Click HERE to view the 2016 article). On September 13, 2016, HUD made clear that a housing provider is responsible for discriminatory practices that […]
Financial Screening of Purchasers: How Far Is Too Far?
A few months back a case came before the county court in the 20th Judicial Circuit for Collier County, wherein a prospective buyer challenged the validity of a board-adopted rule which required that all prospective buyers provide two years of tax returns with their application for ownership approval. This requirement was in addition to the background […]
Association Rules After Expiration of the Governor’s State of Emergency Order for COVID-19
By the time you read this article, the governor’s declared state of emergency as related to the coronavirus may have reached an end. If not, well, hopefully it will soon enough due to significant diminution of the coronavirus. What then? What happens to the rules adopted by an association in an effort to combat the […]
2020 Florida Constitutional Amendments
What You Need To Know Before Voting When voters go to the polls on November 3, 2020, there will be six constitutional amendment proposals on the ballot. This article contains a brief discussion of the amendments. In order to adopt each amendment, it must be approved by 60% of voters casting a ballot. We take […]
Association Publication of Deadbeat List & Third-Party Purchaser Assessment Liability
Two New Cases Board Members and Managers Need to Know About CASE No. 1: On June 12, 2020, the Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal (“5th DCA”) entered its opinion in Latheresa Williams, On Behalf Of Herself And All Others Similarly Situated v. Salt Springs Resort Association, Inc., and Bosshardt Property Management, LLC., Case No. 5D18-3913 (Fla. […]
Governing Document Amendments In Light Of COVID-19
Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons As a result of the unexpected COVID-19 crisis and its ramifications on Florida’s community associations, there are lessons that can be learned. Early on, an unexpected issue many community associations faced was whether the board could rely on the emergency powers set out in the Florida Statutes to help protect […]
State of Emergency Extended for 60 Days
To see the Order in its entirety click HERE If the link does not work for your browser, then copy and paste the following into your browser: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-166.pdf A copy of the relevant text from the Order follows: STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 20-166 (EmergencyManagement-Extension of Executive Order 20-52-COVID-19) WHEREAS, on […]
Facial Covering Requirements County by County & A Hand Sanitizer Recall
Below you will find face covering requirements for Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Manatee Counties. In addition, the cities of Hallandale and Aventura are discussed. Where appropriate, face covering requirements for those living in condominiums and homeowners’ associations are discussed as well. A recall was issued for a certain manufacture of hand […]