Monday, March 6, 2017

For Condo Commandos and Board Tyrants

SB 1682: Condominiums

GENERAL BILL by Garcia
Companion bill to HB 1237

Condominiums; Prohibiting an attorney from representing a board under certain conditions; providing board member term limits; authorizing, rather than requiring, the division to employ full-time attorneys to conduct certain arbitration hearings; providing that certain activities constitute fraudulent voting activities related to association elections, etc.
Effective Date: 7/1/2017
Last Action: 3/3/2017 Senate - Filed
Location: Filed
Bill Text: Web Page | PDF

So, all you condo commandos who think you can ignore the law had better jump into shape.

Read about it condo boards, and weep
From the bill:
Any director or member of the board or association who knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly violates provision regarding access to official records commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. The term “repeatedly violates” means more than two violations within a 12-month period. Also, anyone who intentionally defaces or destroys official records commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.



Priority bills

13 comments:

Judy G said...

This is more prevalent than one realizes. There are boards who do not know the basics and don't care. They get away with murder and those who live in their communities put up with a lot of incompetence. Unless you have a lot of money, you can't sue. Glad to see the law catching up with them.

Weetha Peebull said...

...crazy they have to make a law
to get them to obey the law...

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately,a lot of snowbirds treat their winter condo homes as an afterthought. They do crap here they would NEVER do in their "real" homes and neighborhoods up north.Some board members use their positions to promote personal vendettas against condo owners they don't like. It's sad but this law is long overdue to protect condo owners from their own demented board members.

Anonymous said...

Most of these bills don't make it.

Lynn Anderson said...

Says who?

Anonymous said...

Someone who reads the legal updates from the various law firms that represent Condos and HOA's.

Lynn Anderson said...

So that's you? LOL. I knew it couldn't be anyone on a condo board in my community.

Anonymous said...

"Most of these bills don't make it".
WRONG. Actually,most of these bills DO make it. (the previous comment must be wishful thing from a board member named after a snack food).

Anonymous said...

As I said before, most of these bills don't make it.

Lynn Anderson said...

It's usually the process that kills it, not the content. When you have a state legislature that meets for 60 days to consider bills that have to first pass through committees, it's a wonder they can pass any legislation.

Anonymous said...

A lot of this is feel good legislation to begin with. Think of the Condo Docs like the Constitution. Half the people want one thing, and half the people want another thing. Most Condo Docs are pretty much boiler plate to start with, and they tweak it here and there. A congressman wants to make a name for himself, so when his constituents come to him with something they think would be better in or out of the Docs, he has nothing to lose by submitting it. Also, just because an amendment has passed, does not mean that everyone has to adhere to it. Many things are so-called grandfathered in, so even if it is a good bill, you might never experience the effect of it. For instance: remember when the law stated that every condo owner had to own their own HO6 Policy, and submit a copy of it to the board. That actually was a good piece of legislation, but it didn't last a full year. There are some things you just can't force people to do, even if it is for the good of the majority.

Lynn Anderson said...

@12:28--it was a good piece of legislation. Owners still have to carry HO insurance, however.

Lynn Anderson said...

Better stated--owners are responsible to insure the inside of their units but it is no longer mandated.