Legal Archives - Florida Association News Blog

Very recently, more and more condominium and homeowner associations find themselves as potential defendants in Federal Fair Housing Act (the “FHA”) discrimination litigation due to the association’s website. It is alleged that the failure to make the website easily accessible to those with visual impairments or who are blind is discriminatory. In short, the FHA […]

Tags Disabilities, Discrimination, FHA, Florida Condominium, Florida HOA, Website 1 Comment

Condos and HOAs are generally exempt from ADA requirements because they are not “public accommodations” like hotels, restaurants or retail stores. However, we have seen a recent trend of legal threats against community associations because their websites were not ADA compliant. Why is this happening? The communities that are being threatened have listings of units […]

Tags ADA compliant, ADA compliant website, Condo website, HOA website 2 Comments

Transfer fees are those fees an association may charge in connection with the sale or lease of a unit. There are significant differences between allowable transfer fees for homeowners’ associations as compared against condominium associations. When it comes to transfer fees for condominium associations, Florida law is patently clear – in no event may such […]

Tags Florida Condominium, Florida HOA, Legal, Rembaum Association Roundup, Transfer Fees No Comments »

For some home buyers, financing the purchase of their new home can be a barrier to entry. Many home buyers need the benefit of an FHA backed loan for their lower interest rates. The Federal Housing Authority (FHA), a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has provided mortgage insurance on loans […]

Tags Federal Housing Authority, FHA approval, FHA Financing, Florida Condominium, Florida HOA, Rembaum Association Roundup 2 Comments

The complaint heard often from condominium and HOA board members is in regard to the influx of assistance animals in their “no pet” or pet restricted communities. Few other topics within the body of community association law cause more consternation then the application of the Federal, State and local Fair Housing laws. In fact, one […]

Tags Animal Assitance, Florida Condominium, Florida HOA, Housing law, Legal, Pet restrictions, Rembaum Association Roundup No Comments »

Unregulated, commercial short-term rental operators are threatening Florida community associations by spending millions of dollars to push for legislation that would force short term rentals into neighborhoods in violation of adopted deed restrictions meant to protect the rights and home values of the homeowners. Your association can help fight against this legislation by joining Community […]

Tags CAN, CEOMC, Community Association Network, Short-term rentals, short-term vacation rentals No Comments »

Are you seeking additional information to help you serve on your board? If you are looking to expand your knowledge and help your association, check out the upcoming educational courses being offered in Miami-Dade in October. Dollars & Sense Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Registration begins at 10:30 am Event goes from 11 am – 1 […]

Tags Aventura Condos, Campbell Property Management, Katzman Chandler, Kaye Bender Rembaum, Miami Beach Condos No Comments »

Owners living in pet restricted communities are becoming increasingly frustrated when they see other owners walking a dog or taking their dog to the pool. While it may feel like these owners are “breaking” the rules it is important to remind our frustrated owners that community associations are considered housing providers under the Federal Fair […]

Tags assistance animals, Emotional Support Animals, Federal Fair Housing Act, Florida Condominium, Florida HOA, Pet restrictions, Reasonable accommodations, Service Animal No Comments »

As happens far too often, contractors bid on an improvement project, start the work, only to later walk off the job. The contractor might do this for one of many reasons: the job was not bid correctly, prices go up, the laborers demand more money, and anything else that leads the contractor to believe they […]

Tags Construction, Contractor, Contracts, Florida Condominium, Florida HOA, Improvement Project, Legal, Rembaum Association Roundup No Comments »

A good reason why society provides for prevailing party attorney fees and costs is to make a potential plaintiff think twice before filing a lawsuit. Imagine being able to sue your adversary in court without worry that if you lose you will NOT have to pay prevailing party attorney fees and costs to the other […]

Tags Florida Condo Insurance, Florida HOA Insurance, Hurricane Season, Insurance Claims in Florida Community Associations No Comments »

Florida Association News Blog

The Lurking Danger of Association Websites; Accusations of Discrimination

Is your Community Website ADA Compliant? Does it need to be?

Statutory Limitation on Condominium Transfer Fees – A Reminder that the Limit is the Limit

New Rules For FHA Financing – What Board Members Need To Know

You Get What You Pay For – Assistance Animal Application Packages

Vacation Rentals – What can you do to maintain your association’s right to restrict short-term rentals?

Upcoming Educational Events in Miami-Dade

Staying Out of the “Dog House” – How to Handle Reasonable Accommodation Requests Under the Fair Housing Act

Your Association’s Contractor Walked Off The Job – Now What??

Hurricane Season is here – If you suffer a casualty, you need to know about this new law

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