WHY THE DIFFERENCES?

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Published October 31, 2022

 

At a time when it would make sense for the condo and HOA laws to become easier to learn, they are becoming harder.  Much has to do with why in the world are there such differences between the condo and HOA statutes?  It’s actually ridiculous.  For example:

  1. In order to get access to the official records, why does the condo statute allow access if the owner asks for access in writing while the HOA statute requires the owner to request access by certified mail return receipt requested?

  2. Why does the condo statute require condos with 150 units or more to have a website, while an HOA with 150 units or more does not require a website?

  3. Why does the HOA statute allow voting by proxy but the condo statute doesn’t and requires a very strict way of performing the election?

  4. Why do HOA documents expire after thirty years, but the condo declaration never expires?

  5. Why is competitive bidding required in a condo if the amount at issue is 5% of the budget but competitive bidding is required in an HOA if the amount at issue is 5% of the budget?

  6. Why in an HOA, if the owners amend the declaration to prohibit rental terms of less than six months or 3 times in a calendar year, that amendment applies to everyone, even those who did not vote in favor of the amendment ---------- however that same amendment would not apply to those who specifically did not vote in favor of the amendment in a condo?

  7. Why does the condo statute require a 75% vote of the owners in order to make a material alteration, yet the HOA statute does not mention material alterations?

  8. Why as of January 1st, 2025 are condominiums required to reserve funds for all portions of the common elements but HOAs are not?

There are more, but you get the point.  There are no reasons of which I’m aware as to why these statutes are different for condos and HOAs, yet they continue to exist.  At a time when it’s confusing enough to learn the laws, The Florida Legislature should amend the statutes so that the laws are the same and fair across the Board, regardless of whether you live in a condo or HOA.

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About HOA & Condo Blog

Eric Glazer

Eric Glazer graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992 after receiving a B.A. from NYU. He has practiced community association law for three decades and is the owner of Glazer and Sachs, P.A. a five attorney law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.

Eric is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Condominium and Planned Development Law.

 

Since 2009, Eric has been the host of Condo Craze and HOAs, a weekly one hour radio show that airs at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday on 850 WFTL.

   

See: www.condocrazeandhoas.com.

   

Eric is the first attorney in the State of Florida that designed a course that certifies condominium and HOA residents as eligible to serve on a Board of Directors and has now certified more than 20,000 Floridians all across the state. He is certified as a Circuit Court Mediator by The Florida Supreme Court and has mediated dozens of disputes between associations and unit owners. Eric also devotes significant time to advancing legislation in the best interest of Florida community association members.



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