By: Rosa M. de la Camara, Esq., Becker & Poliakoff The Florida Legislature is commencing another busy legislative session. We are aware of possible legislation to criminalize fraudulent Emotional Support Animal requests and to help communities and local governments regulate short term rental activity. While we monitor this session’s progress, it is a good time to review last year’s most important community association laws to ensure your association is in compliance. The outline below highlights some of the 2018 laws you need to know if you are serving on a community association board. Condominium and Cooperative Official Records The minutes of all meetings of the association, the board of administration, and the units owners must be permanently maintained from the inception of the association (as opposed to 7 years). The amount of time that condominium and cooperative associations must respond to a written records request is extended from 5 business

Tim O’Keefe assumes role of Executive Director of Strategic Growth and Client Relations, and Frank Simone joins leading property management company as General Counsel Miami, Fla. – Jan. 8, 2019 – Following the completion of a record-breaking year of company and portfolio growth, KW Property Management & Consulting’s (KWPMC) has kicked off 2019 with the addition of two new partners. Tim O’Keefe, who joined KWPMC as Director in 2016, was promoted to Executive Director of Strategic Growth and Client Relations. Frank Simone, a Miami-based attorney who has served as the company’s outside counsel, is now the in-house General Counsel at KWPMC. Both are now partners with the company. The moves went into effect on Jan. 1. KWPMC closed 2018 with 24 percent year-over-year growth in revenue and added 341 employees, a 30 percent increase. “We enjoyed a historic year of expansion in 2018 largely because of our incredible team and

We recently sat down with attorney Michael R Kassower, from the firm Frank Weinberg Black, PL, a board certified expert in Condominium and Planned Development Law, to ask for his legal insight into one of the most common questions we get asked. Q. How can an association seek recourse for a non-compliant owner? What immediate consequences can be enacted to ensure that they abide by the association rules? A. As an attorney dedicated to the representation of community associations, my clients often grow frustrated by the time and money spent bringing unit owners and homeowners into compliance with clear provisions of their governing documents. Too often, violating owners lose sight of the fact they purchased property within a planned community and refuse to comply with the rules. Eventually, things escalate and require the attention of the Board of Directors, management company and the association’s legal counsel. By the time the

Holiday decorations are an easy way for an association to spread some seasonal cheer and add a cozy, communal vibe to the neighborhood. And they’re a big part of Florida communities: 80 percent of associations choose to decorate, per a recent survey from the Community Association Leadership Lobby. But, what was once a practice limited to a couple lights, ornaments and a menorah or two has migrated toward a decorating empire complete with 10-foot tall blow-up Santas, multi-color lights that pulse and twinkle and even moving reindeer and elves, synchronized to holiday music. While not all associations chose to outfit their buildings with such elaborate décor (or want the super-sized energy bill that comes along with it), navigating the community decorating scene can be tricky at times. Decorating can be more complex than just stringing together a bunch of lights—it involves issues of culture, timing, quantity and quality. Before decking

Whether you live in a suburb or in the heart of the city, an HOA or high-rise condominium, things can get pretty expensive. The holiday season compounds the issue: there are gifts to be bought, travel to be booked, parties to attend and the stress that many Boardss feel when trying to figure out what kind of bonus to give the people who (hopefully) make their everyday life a little easier: the building or HOA staff. A reward for work well done is a welcome gift, especially at this time of year. Property Managers, chief engineers, maintenance personnel, front desk staff, housekeepers and pool & spa attendants all work diligently throughout the year to deliver the lifestyle that you expect. An association’s staff in Florida spend most of the year dealing with heat, humidity, and the merciless southern sun as they go about their duties. Regardless of the temperature, your