Articles

Learn why effective policy starts with a strong communication plan.

We tend to think of a community as made up of the people within it, but there’s another important relationship that can affect the health of the community as a whole – pets! Furry friends can liven up a neighborhood and improve the mental health of residents. On the flip side, they can also lead to disagreements, lawn messes, property damage, and (in rare cases) injury.

Periodically, it may become necessary to update the governing documents of your homeowner association. This is especially relevant when transitioning from developer to homeowner control but could also be just an update t that will improve the community. In the State of Florida, amending the governing documents requires a large percentage of homeowner approval.

 

The Florida Legislature was scheduled to end its 60-day session on March 13, 2020, but the looming coronavirus threat prompted a one-week extension to finalize the budget. When the session adjourned, more than 3,500 pieces of legislation had been filed, including roughly 40 community association-related bills. In the end, 5 community association-related bills were passed by the House and Senate, and will be presented to Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval. This includes bills related to Florida HOA laws that may impact your board.

Learn why effective HOA policy starts with a strong communication plan.
 

You may have seen notices about board elections around your community and asked, could you run for the position? What criteria must a person meet to qualify to be a board member in Florida?

 

Sooner or later, most community associations face staff changes. If your community has a great manager, you probably want them to stay forever. But how realistic is that?

As a board member serving your association, you know your community inside and out. You know your residents and what it takes to keep the community thriving. But as a self-managed property, are you doing all you can for your community and its membership to make sure you meet your short- and long-term goals?

Policy enforcement is a challenge for any community, especially during these unprecedented times. No one wants to be the bad guy, but the safety and well-being of residents and staff members remain the top priority for association boards. We understand that ensuring compliance can be stressful. Whether your board is dealing with emergency rules and restrictions or general community policies, here are some things to consider when addressing change in your community.