Community Association Law Updates and Info Robert Todd, Esq. Association Assessment Attorneys, PA

OUTLINE I.Legislative Update II.Foreclosure Cleanup III.Pre-Submitted Q&A

Legislative Update The Order to Show Cause (1) A lien holder may request an order to show cause for the entry of final judgment in a foreclosure action. – Welcomed with fanfare as a panacea for community Associations. – New tool, potentially different outcomes.

Legislative Update Elevators – Update to when existing Elevators must be upgraded. – Previously required update to be accomplished by July 1, – New Language states: “until the elevator is replaced or requires major modification”

Legislative Update Insurance – Unit owners are responsible for the cost of repair of property damage if it is their fault. – Invites litigation where previously a bright line rule. – Creation of an assessment for reconstruction work. Applied under , lien & foreclose.

Legislative Update Record Inspection (12) (c) – Photographs, Ipads, phones and scanners are specifically referenced for record inspection purposes – No charging for inspection on these items.

Legislative Update Financial Reporting (13) – Changed valuations for reporting requirements: – Report of Cash Receipts >150k or less than 50 units. – Compiled Financial Statement: $150k-300k – Reviewed Financial Statements: $300k-500K – Audited Financial Statements: $500k and up

Legislative Update Board Members – Candidate Qualification must be a valid candidate on the last day of qualification. – Board members need not certify every candidacy. – Statute of Limitations 60 days for challenge – Recalls: Unit owners and board members can seek arbitration.

Legislative Update Turnover – ISLA- Interstate Land Sales Act a major issue with phantom condominiums. – Turnover 7 years after recording of the certificate of surveyor or recording of an instrument that transfers title to a unit in a condominium. Whichever is first.

Legislative Updates Suspension of Use Rights (3) – Clarifies suspension of limited common element use rights, elevator use rights, utilities and parking spaces. – Cable Suspension?

Legislative Updates Official Record Inspection – Option to make available on the internet provided. – Technological options including Ipads and cameras now available. – Costs incurred by personnel is specifically limited $20.00 an hour and >25 pages or more Copy costs have depreciated, $0.50 to $0.25

Legislative Updates Financial Reporting – Changed valuations for reporting requirements: – Report of Cash Receipts >150k or less than 50 units. – Compiled Financial Statement: $150k-300k – Reviewed Financial Statements: $300k-500K – Audited Financial Statements: $500k and up

Legislative Updates Recalls – Statute of Limitations 60 days for challenge – Recalls: Lot owners and board members can seek arbitration.

Legislative Updates Reporting (13) – November 22, 2013 all HOA’s must be registered with DBPR – Name FEIN Mailing address Parcel total Revenues and expenses

Legislative Updates Board Members – Certification required for board members indicating he or she has read all the documents, understands and will uphold them to the best their ability. OR – Attend an educational course on the subject. – The penalty for not complying is suspension.

Legislative Updates Membership Meetings – Approved amendments must be distributed 30 days after recordation – Right to speak. Any agenda item or open discussion provides every unit owner 3 minutes of speaking time. Written rules may be adopted as to this section.

Legislative Updates Membership Meetings – Nominations from the floor not allowed if advance nominations are allowed. – Statute of Limitations on contests created, 60 days.

Legislative Updates Assessments – Previous owner clarified to not include an Association that acquires title to a delinquent property. – Associations are fully exculpated from joint and several liability upon taking title through foreclosure or deed in lieu. – Saves intra association law suits.

Legislative Updates Assessments – Tenant of delinquent landlord, Association has been able to demand rent – Landlord tenant statute has been updated to state that it is unlawful for landlord to retaliate against tenant by specifically including Associations in

Foreclosure Cleanup Outstanding Bank Foreclosures? Issues and Options.

Foreclosure Cleanup Issue: – The bank foreclosure has not taken any action since 2010 and the Defendants are defaulted/not involved – Options: Notice of Readiness for Trial Notice of Lack of Prosecution Motion for Case Management Conference Motion to Show Cause

Foreclosure Cleanup Issue: – The bank foreclosure has stalled due to mediation/loan modification/outstanding motions. – Options Schedule outstanding issues for hearing – Notice of Readiness for Trial – Motion for Case Management Conference – Motion to show Case

Foreclosure Cleanup Issue – Bank has concluded but the Sale won’t move forward. – Options Supreme Court and Florida Civil Procedure states: – Associations have the right and ability to request foreclosure sales get set for hearing. Little House 5 th DCA – RESET THE SALE

Pre-Submitted Q&A