Rob Samouce writes articles which are of interest to community associations, condominium associations and homeowners associations, and are published in the Naples Daily News (www.naplesnews.com) on the first Sunday of each month. Those articles are listed below, and can be searched by key words in the articles or by date the article appeared in the Naples Daily News.
Can you legally stop rude behavior by residents?
/in Condominium Associations, Condos and HOA's, Homeowners Associations /by Robert C. SamouceMore and more recently Condominium and Homeowner’s Associations have informed us of residents who have been behaving rudely to their neighbors. We have been asked what, if anything, can legally be done to stop such bad behavior. For some reason, it appears a few people today find it perfectly acceptable to curse and swear at […]
Dealing with elderly neighbor in violation of rules
/in Condominium Associations, Condos and HOA's, Homeowners Associations /by Robert C. SamouceFor most violations of rules and restrictions contained in a Condominium or Homeowners’ Association governing documents, the enforcement procedure is fairly simple. A call or letter is sent by management telling the rule or regulation violator to knock it off. If the violation continues, then a certified letter is usually sent from the Association’s attorney […]
How associations can save auditing fees
/in Condominium Associations /by Robert C. SamouceThanks to House Bill 6027 that was approved by the Florida Legislature in 2017, the members of condominium, cooperative and homeowners associations can now waive the preparation of costly financial auditing reporting each fiscal year and instead opt for simple reports of cash receipts and expenditures. In the past, condominium associations could only waive for […]
When do community rules and regulations have to be enforced?
/in Condominium Associations /by Robert C. SamouceA typical question we get from new association directors is: When do our association’s rules and regulations have to be enforced? In most condominium and homeowners’ associations, there are regulations contained in the Declaration of Condominium or Declaration of Covenants recorded in the county public records and also unrecorded “house” rules located in the association’s […]
Diamonds are not forever if there is a unilateral mistake
/in Condos and HOA's /by Robert C. SamouceCondominium and homeowners’ association officers and directors need to be careful when negotiating and entering into contracts with vendors such as construction contractors, interior decorators, architects etc. because if the association and the vendor are not on the same page (legally have a meeting of the minds), the contract can be nullified based upon what […]
Fiduciary responsibility does not stop after season
/in Condos and HOA's /by Robert C. SamouceWell here we are in late summer and for many condominium and homeowners’ associations it has been a quiet summer because many, if not most, of the association members went back up North after Easter. Thus, “out of sight-out of mind” has taken over when it comes to association matters. For many associations, all of the directors […]
Condo boards must now get vote before material alterations begin
/in Condominium Associations /by Robert C. SamouceA very important change to Chapter 718 of the Florida Statutes (The Condominium Act) took effect July 1, 2018 that all Condominium Associations need to be aware of. In House Bill 841, the last sentence in Section 718.113(2)(a), Florida Statutes was amended by adding the highlighted language: “Except as otherwise provided in this section, there […]
What you need to know on tree law
/in Hurricane Protection /by Robert C. SamouceWith all of the fallen and leaning trees resulting from Hurricane Irma, a question keeps coming up again and again. My neighbor’s tree limbs are hanging over my property or have fallen onto my property. Can I make the neighbor cut the tree down, cut it up and clean the tree debris off my property? […]
New 2018 Legislation that affects condos, co-ops and HOAs
/in Condominium Associations /by Robert C. SamouceThis year a 72-page bill (House Bill 841) became law and will become effective July 1, 2018. HB 841 is a mixed bag mostly for condos but a few items also pertain to cooperatives and HOAs. Last month we discussed in detail the provisions in the Bill affecting electrical vehicles, owners, and the rights the […]
Owners of electric vehicles in condos can now charge up at assigned parking space
/in Condominium Associations /by Robert C. SamouceThe Florida Legislature looked favorably upon electric vehicle owners this session when it approved House Bill 841; a community association law affecting many aspects of community living including detailed new provisions to accommodate electric cars. A preamble to the new law says: “The Legislature finds that the use of electric vehicles conserves and protects the […]