Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.

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In 2010, the chapters of the Florida Statutes governing condominiums and homeowners associations were amended with the intention of providing community associations significantly more “teeth” to enforce collection of assessments from delinquent owners. Unfortunately, the new provisions contained several glitches which resulted in confusion for associations, owners, and community association practitioners. House Bill 1195 became effective July 1, 2011, with intent to remove such glitches and clarify provisions passed in 2010.

Prior to 2010, a homeowners’ association was permitted under Chapter 720 of the Florida Statutes to suspend an owners’ right to use common areas and facilities for the violation of provisions of the association’s governing documents. The statue did not provide such a remedy for past due assessments. One of the glitches of the 2010 legislation unintentionally resulted in the removal of the ability of a homeowners’ association to suspend an owner’s rights to use common areas and facilities for violations of the governing documents. However, the right to suspend common area use rights was added as a potential remedy for nonpayment of monetary obligations owed to the Association which are more than 90 days delinquent.

For condominium associations, prior to the 2010 legislation, suspension of common element use rights was not provided as a remedy in the statutes at all. The 2010 legislation provided for suspension of common elements and facilities as a potential remedy only for 90 day delinquencies, not for other violations of the governing documents. However, the statutory provisions providing for the hearing procedures required for suspending use rights, did reference the availability of common element use suspension as a remedy for other violations. These procedural provisions raised questions as to whether the right to suspend use of common elements and facilities was available for violations other than monetary delinquencies.

Homeowners’ Associations Right to Suspend

With the passing of House Bill 1195, a homeowners’ association may suspend the right of a member, or the member’s tenant, guest, or invitee, to use common areas and facilities both for failure to comply with any provision of the governing documents and for nonpayment ofContinue Reading Community Association Ability to Suspend Use and Voting Rights Clarified

The Florida Legislature recently adopted House Bill 7207 which drastically changes the landscape of Florida’s Growth Management procedures. The bill itself comprises 349 pages (the majority of which deals with matters unrelated to growth management) and the drastic changes it proposes are too numerous to cover in a blog entry. A sampling of some of…

I came across an article by Lora Shinn entitled “5 Buyer Mistakes in a Short Sale.” Number 3 on Shinn’s list is “ignoring legal and insurance information.” Although I agree with the author’s list, the list focuses more on the physical attributes of a short sale property than legal issues (specifically title issues) that are often overlooked until they become a problem — either just before closing when such problems can cause further delay, or worse yet, after closing when they can become a legal and financial nightmare. I would like to expand on the buyer’s mistake of “ignoring legal information” while being blinded by the seemingly “good deal” they are getting.Continue Reading Short Sales and Judgment Liens: Unforeseen Issues

Code enforcement liens that were granted “superpriority” status by a local government ordinance were held to lack priority to a prior-recorded mortgage in a recent Florida appellate court decision. City of Palm Bay v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 36 Fla. L. Weekly D161 (Fla. 5th DCA January 21, 2011).

The City of Palm Bay enacted an ordinance creating its Code Enforcement Board in 1997. Under the ordinance, liens on real property created by the Board would be co-equal with state and local tax liens, and would be “superior in dignity to all other liens, titles and claims.”Continue Reading Code Enforcement Liens Lack Priority Over Prior-Recorded Mortgages

The filing period for submitting applications for ad valorem property tax exemptions to the county Property Appraisers opened January 1, 2011.  If you believe you might qualify for such exemption for your 2011 property taxes, you must file your application with the Property Appraiser before March 1, 2011.  The two most common exemptions applied for include:

The filing period for submitting applications for ad valorem property tax exemptions to the county Property Appraisers opened January 1, 2011. If you believe you might qualify for such exemption for your 2011 property taxes, you must file your application with the Property Appraiser before March 1, 2011. The two most common exemptions applied for include:

  • Homestead Exemption: Those who qualify for a homestead exemption can seek up to two (2) $25,000 exemptions (for a potential combined total of $50,000) from their home’s assessed value. Basic criteria are that the applicant is a bona fide Florida resident possessing title to the property and residing at the property on January 1, 2011 as their permanent residence. There are other criteria and many exceptions as well.
  • Agricultural Exemption: The property must have been used for a bona fide commercial agricultural use as of January 1, 2011. The applicant is asked to submit various supporting information, including financial documents, to support an agricultural classification on the property.

Other ad valorem real property exemptions include, among others:

  • Senior Exemption
  • Widow/Widower Exemption
  • Veterans Disability Exemption

There are a host of exemptions applicable to tangible personal property as well. Applications for these exemptions, as well as additional information on each, can be found on your local Property Appraiser’s website.

For those interested in some recent case law addressing the homestead and agricultural exemptions, see below.Continue Reading Property Tax Exemption Filing Window Now Open – Be Sure to File Before it Closes!