1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to condominium, cooperative, and |
3 | homeowners' associations; amending s. 718.111, F.S.; |
4 | revising provisions relating to the official records of |
5 | condominium associations; providing for disclosure of |
6 | employment agreements or compensation paid to association |
7 | employees; amending s. 718.112, F.S.; revising provisions |
8 | relating to board of administration and unit owner |
9 | meetings; providing that board of administration meetings |
10 | discussing personnel matters are not open to unit members; |
11 | requiring that certain educational curriculum be completed |
12 | within a specified time before the election or appointment |
13 | of a board director; amending s. 718.114, F.S.; requiring |
14 | the vote or written consent of a majority of the voting |
15 | interests before a condominium association may enter into |
16 | certain agreements to acquire leaseholds, memberships, or |
17 | other possessory or use interests; amending s. 718.116, |
18 | F.S.; revising provisions relating to condominium |
19 | assessments; authorizing the association to charge for |
20 | collection services for delinquent accounts; authorizing a |
21 | claim of lien to secure reasonable expenses for collection |
22 | services for a delinquent account; requiring any rent |
23 | payments received by an association from a tenant to be |
24 | applied to the most delinquent monetary obligation of a |
25 | unit owner; amending s. 718.117, F.S.; providing |
26 | procedures and requirements for partial termination of a |
27 | condominium property; requiring that a lien against a |
28 | condominium unit being terminated be transferred to the |
29 | proceeds of sale for that property; amending s. 718.303, |
30 | F.S.; revising provisions relating to imposing remedies |
31 | against a delinquent unit owner; requiring that the |
32 | suspension of certain rights of use or voting rights be |
33 | approved at a noticed board meeting; amending s. 718.703. |
34 | F.S.; redefining the term "bulk assignee" for purposes of |
35 | the Distressed Condominium Relief Act; amending s. |
36 | 718.704, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the |
37 | assignment of developer rights by a bulk assignee; |
38 | amending s. 718.705, F.S.; revising provisions relating to |
39 | the transfer of control of a condominium board of |
40 | administration to unit owners; amending s. 718.706, F.S.; |
41 | revising provisions relating to the offering of units by a |
42 | bulk assignee or bulk buyer; amending s. 718.707, F.S.; |
43 | revising the time limitation for classification as a bulk |
44 | assignee or bulk buyer; amending s. 719.108, F.S.; |
45 | requiring any rent payments received by a cooperative |
46 | association from a tenant to be applied to the most |
47 | delinquent monetary obligation of a unit owner; amending |
48 | s. 719.303, F.S.; revising provisions relating to imposing |
49 | remedies against a delinquent unit owner in a cooperative; |
50 | requiring that the suspension of certain rights of use or |
51 | voting rights be approved at a noticed board meeting; |
52 | amending s. 720.303, F.S.; revising provisions relating to |
53 | records that are not accessible to members of a |
54 | homeowners' association; providing for disclosure of |
55 | employment agreements and compensation paid to association |
56 | employees; amending s. 720.305, F.S.; revising provisions |
57 | relating to imposing remedies against a delinquent member |
58 | of a homeowners' association; requiring that the |
59 | suspension of certain rights of use or voting rights be |
60 | approved at a noticed board meeting; amending s. 720.3085, |
61 | F.S.; authorizing a claim of lien to secure expenses for |
62 | collection services for a delinquent account; requiring |
63 | any rent payments received by an association from a tenant |
64 | to be applied to the most delinquent monetary obligation |
65 | of a parcel owner; amending s. 720.309, F.S.; providing |
66 | for the allocation of communication services by a |
67 | homeowners' association; providing for the cancellation of |
68 | communication contracts; providing that hearing-impaired |
69 | or legally blind owners and owners receiving certain |
70 | supplemental security income or food stamps may |
71 | discontinue the service without incurring costs; providing |
72 | that residents may not be denied access to available |
73 | franchised, licensed, or certificated cable or video |
74 | service providers; providing an effective date. |
75 |
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76 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
77 |
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78 | Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (12) of |
79 | section 718.111, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
80 | 718.111 The association.- |
81 | (12) OFFICIAL RECORDS.- |
82 | (a) From the inception of the association, the association |
83 | shall maintain each of the following items, if applicable, which |
84 | constitutes shall constitute the official records of the |
85 | association: |
86 | 1. A copy of the plans, permits, warranties, and other |
87 | items provided by the developer pursuant to s. 718.301(4). |
88 | 2. A photocopy of the recorded declaration of condominium |
89 | of each condominium operated by the association and of each |
90 | amendment to each declaration. |
91 | 3. A photocopy of the recorded bylaws of the association |
92 | and of each amendment to the bylaws. |
93 | 4. A certified copy of the articles of incorporation of |
94 | the association, or other documents creating the association, |
95 | and of each amendment thereto. |
96 | 5. A copy of the current rules of the association. |
97 | 6. A book or books that which contain the minutes of all |
98 | meetings of the association, of the board of administration, and |
99 | the of unit owners, which minutes must be retained for at least |
100 | 7 years. |
101 | 7. A current roster of all unit owners and their mailing |
102 | addresses, unit identifications, voting certifications, and, if |
103 | known, telephone numbers. The association shall also maintain |
104 | the e-mail the electronic mailing addresses and facsimile the |
105 | numbers designated by unit owners for receiving notice sent by |
106 | electronic transmission of those unit owners consenting to |
107 | receive notice by electronic transmission. The e-mail electronic |
108 | mailing addresses and facsimile telephone numbers may not be |
109 | accessible to unit owners must be removed from association |
110 | records if consent to receive notice by electronic transmission |
111 | is not provided in accordance with subparagraph (c)5 revoked. |
112 | However, the association is not liable for an erroneous |
113 | disclosure of an e-mail the electronic mail address or facsimile |
114 | the number for receiving electronic transmission of notices. |
115 | 8. All current insurance policies of the association and |
116 | condominiums operated by the association. |
117 | 9. A current copy of any management agreement, lease, or |
118 | other contract to which the association is a party or under |
119 | which the association or the unit owners have an obligation or |
120 | responsibility. |
121 | 10. Bills of sale or transfer for all property owned by |
122 | the association. |
123 | 11. Accounting records for the association and separate |
124 | accounting records for each condominium that which the |
125 | association operates. All accounting records must shall be |
126 | maintained for at least 7 years. Any person who knowingly or |
127 | intentionally defaces or destroys such accounting records |
128 | required to be created and maintained by this chapter during the |
129 | period for which such records are required to be maintained, or |
130 | who knowingly or intentionally fails to create or maintain such |
131 | records, with the intent of causing harm to the association or |
132 | one or more of its members, is personally subject to a civil |
133 | penalty pursuant to s. 718.501(1)(d). The accounting records |
134 | must include, but are not limited to: |
135 | a. Accurate, itemized, and detailed records of all |
136 | receipts and expenditures. |
137 | b. A current account and a monthly, bimonthly, or |
138 | quarterly statement of the account for each unit designating the |
139 | name of the unit owner, the due date and amount of each |
140 | assessment, the amount paid on upon the account, and the balance |
141 | due. |
142 | c. All audits, reviews, accounting statements, and |
143 | financial reports of the association or condominium. |
144 | d. All contracts for work to be performed. Bids for work |
145 | to be performed are also considered official records and must be |
146 | maintained by the association. |
147 | 12. Ballots, sign-in sheets, voting proxies, and all other |
148 | papers relating to voting by unit owners, which must be |
149 | maintained for 1 year from the date of the election, vote, or |
150 | meeting to which the document relates, notwithstanding paragraph |
151 | (b). |
152 | 13. All rental records if the association is acting as |
153 | agent for the rental of condominium units. |
154 | 14. A copy of the current question and answer sheet as |
155 | described in s. 718.504. |
156 | 15. All other records of the association not specifically |
157 | included in the foregoing which are related to the operation of |
158 | the association. |
159 | 16. A copy of the inspection report as described provided |
160 | in s. 718.301(4)(p). |
161 | (c) The official records of the association are open to |
162 | inspection by any association member or the authorized |
163 | representative of such member at all reasonable times. The right |
164 | to inspect the records includes the right to make or obtain |
165 | copies, at the reasonable expense, if any, of the member. The |
166 | association may adopt reasonable rules regarding the frequency, |
167 | time, location, notice, and manner of record inspections and |
168 | copying. The failure of an association to provide the records |
169 | within 10 working days after receipt of a written request |
170 | creates a rebuttable presumption that the association willfully |
171 | failed to comply with this paragraph. A unit owner who is denied |
172 | access to official records is entitled to the actual damages or |
173 | minimum damages for the association's willful failure to comply. |
174 | Minimum damages are shall be $50 per calendar day for up to 10 |
175 | days, beginning the calculation to begin on the 11th working day |
176 | after receipt of the written request. The failure to permit |
177 | inspection of the association records as provided herein |
178 | entitles any person prevailing in an enforcement action to |
179 | recover reasonable attorney's fees from the person in control of |
180 | the records who, directly or indirectly, knowingly denied access |
181 | to the records. Any person who knowingly or intentionally |
182 | defaces or destroys accounting records that are required by this |
183 | chapter to be maintained during the period for which such |
184 | records are required to be maintained, or who knowingly or |
185 | intentionally fails to create or maintain accounting records |
186 | that are required to be created or maintained, with the intent |
187 | of causing harm to the association or one or more of its |
188 | members, is personally subject to a civil penalty pursuant to s. |
189 | 718.501(1)(d). The association shall maintain an adequate number |
190 | of copies of the declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, |
191 | and rules, and all amendments to each of the foregoing, as well |
192 | as the question and answer sheet as described provided for in s. |
193 | 718.504 and year-end financial information required under in |
194 | this section, on the condominium property to ensure their |
195 | availability to unit owners and prospective purchasers, and may |
196 | charge its actual costs for preparing and furnishing these |
197 | documents to those requesting the documents. Notwithstanding the |
198 | provisions of this paragraph, the following records are not |
199 | accessible to unit owners: |
200 | 1. Any record protected by the lawyer-client privilege as |
201 | described in s. 90.502; and any record protected by the work- |
202 | product privilege, including a any record prepared by an |
203 | association attorney, or prepared at the attorney's express |
204 | direction,; which reflects a mental impression, conclusion, |
205 | litigation strategy, or legal theory of the attorney or the |
206 | association, and which was prepared exclusively for civil or |
207 | criminal litigation or for adversarial administrative |
208 | proceedings, or which was prepared in anticipation of such |
209 | imminent civil or criminal litigation or imminent adversarial |
210 | administrative proceedings until the conclusion of the |
211 | litigation or adversarial administrative proceedings. |
212 | 2. Information obtained by an association in connection |
213 | with the approval of the lease, sale, or other transfer of a |
214 | unit. |
215 | 3. Personnel records of association employees, including, |
216 | but not limited to, disciplinary, payroll, health, and insurance |
217 | records, but not including written employment agreements with an |
218 | association employee or budgetary or financial records that |
219 | indicate the compensation paid to an association employee. |
220 | 4. Medical records of unit owners. |
221 | 5. Social security numbers, driver's license numbers, |
222 | credit card numbers, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, |
223 | facsimile numbers, emergency contact information, any addresses |
224 | of a unit owner other than as provided to fulfill the |
225 | association's notice requirements, and other personal |
226 | identifying information of any person, excluding the person's |
227 | name, unit designation, mailing address, and property address, |
228 | and any address, e-mail address, or facsimile number provided to |
229 | the association to fulfill the association's notice |
230 | requirements. However, an owner may consent to the disclosure of |
231 | protected information described in this subparagraph. The |
232 | association is not liable for the disclosure of information that |
233 | is protected under this subparagraph if the information is |
234 | included in other official records of the association which are |
235 | not protected. |
236 | 6. Any Electronic security measures measure that are is |
237 | used by the association to safeguard data, including passwords. |
238 | 7. The software and operating system used by the |
239 | association which allows the manipulation of data, even if the |
240 | owner owns a copy of the same software used by the association. |
241 | The data is part of the official records of the association. |
242 | Section 2. Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of subsection (2) |
243 | of section 718.112, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
244 | 718.112 Bylaws.- |
245 | (2) REQUIRED PROVISIONS.-The bylaws shall provide for the |
246 | following and, if they do not do so, shall be deemed to include |
247 | the following: |
248 | (b) Quorum; voting requirements; proxies.- |
249 | 1. Unless a lower number is provided in the bylaws, the |
250 | percentage of voting interests required to constitute a quorum |
251 | at a meeting of the members is shall be a majority of the voting |
252 | interests. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or in the |
253 | declaration, articles of incorporation, or bylaws, and except as |
254 | provided in subparagraph (d)4. (d)3., decisions shall be made by |
255 | owners of a majority of the voting interests represented at a |
256 | meeting at which a quorum is present. |
257 | 2. Except as specifically otherwise provided herein, after |
258 | January 1, 1992, unit owners may not vote by general proxy, but |
259 | may vote by limited proxies substantially conforming to a |
260 | limited proxy form adopted by the division. A No voting interest |
261 | or consent right allocated to a unit owned by the association |
262 | may not shall be exercised or considered for any purpose, |
263 | whether for a quorum, an election, or otherwise. Limited proxies |
264 | and general proxies may be used to establish a quorum. Limited |
265 | proxies shall be used for votes taken to waive or reduce |
266 | reserves in accordance with subparagraph (f)2.; for votes taken |
267 | to waive the financial reporting requirements of s. 718.111(13); |
268 | for votes taken to amend the declaration pursuant to s. 718.110; |
269 | for votes taken to amend the articles of incorporation or bylaws |
270 | pursuant to this section; and for any other matter for which |
271 | this chapter requires or permits a vote of the unit owners. |
272 | Except as provided in paragraph (d), a after January 1, 1992, no |
273 | proxy, limited or general, may not shall be used in the election |
274 | of board members. General proxies may be used for other matters |
275 | for which limited proxies are not required, and may also be used |
276 | in voting for nonsubstantive changes to items for which a |
277 | limited proxy is required and given. Notwithstanding the |
278 | provisions of this subparagraph, unit owners may vote in person |
279 | at unit owner meetings. This subparagraph does not Nothing |
280 | contained herein shall limit the use of general proxies or |
281 | require the use of limited proxies for any agenda item or |
282 | election at any meeting of a timeshare condominium association. |
283 | 3. Any proxy given is shall be effective only for the |
284 | specific meeting for which originally given and any lawfully |
285 | adjourned meetings thereof. A In no event shall any proxy is not |
286 | be valid for a period longer than 90 days after the date of the |
287 | first meeting for which it was given. Every proxy is revocable |
288 | at any time at the pleasure of the unit owner executing it. |
289 | 4. A member of the board of administration or a committee |
290 | may submit in writing his or her agreement or disagreement with |
291 | any action taken at a meeting that the member did not attend. |
292 | This agreement or disagreement may not be used as a vote for or |
293 | against the action taken or to create and may not be used for |
294 | the purposes of creating a quorum. |
295 | 5. If When any of the board or committee members meet by |
296 | telephone conference, those board or committee members attending |
297 | by telephone conference may be counted toward obtaining a quorum |
298 | and may vote by telephone. A telephone speaker must be used so |
299 | that the conversation of those board or committee members |
300 | attending by telephone may be heard by the board or committee |
301 | members attending in person as well as by any unit owners |
302 | present at a meeting. |
303 | (c) Board of administration meetings.-Meetings of the |
304 | board of administration at which a quorum of the members is |
305 | present are shall be open to all unit owners. A Any unit owner |
306 | may tape record or videotape the meetings of the board of |
307 | administration. The right to attend such meetings includes the |
308 | right to speak at such meetings with reference to all designated |
309 | agenda items. The division shall adopt reasonable rules |
310 | governing the tape recording and videotaping of the meeting. The |
311 | association may adopt written reasonable rules governing the |
312 | frequency, duration, and manner of unit owner statements. |
313 | 1. Adequate notice of all board meetings, which must |
314 | notice shall specifically identify all incorporate an |
315 | identification of agenda items, must shall be posted |
316 | conspicuously on the condominium property at least 48 continuous |
317 | hours before preceding the meeting except in an emergency. If 20 |
318 | percent of the voting interests petition the board to address an |
319 | item of business, the board shall at its next regular board |
320 | meeting or at a special meeting of the board, but not later than |
321 | 60 days after the receipt of the petition, shall place the item |
322 | on the agenda. Any item not included on the notice may be taken |
323 | up on an emergency basis by at least a majority plus one of the |
324 | board members of the board. Such emergency action must shall be |
325 | noticed and ratified at the next regular board meeting of the |
326 | board. However, written notice of any meeting at which |
327 | nonemergency special assessments, or at which amendment to rules |
328 | regarding unit use, will be considered must shall be mailed, |
329 | delivered, or electronically transmitted to the unit owners and |
330 | posted conspicuously on the condominium property at least not |
331 | less than 14 days before prior to the meeting. Evidence of |
332 | compliance with this 14-day notice requirement must shall be |
333 | made by an affidavit executed by the person providing the notice |
334 | and filed with among the official records of the association. |
335 | Upon notice to the unit owners, the board shall, by duly adopted |
336 | rule, designate a specific location on the condominium property |
337 | or association property where upon which all notices of board |
338 | meetings are to shall be posted. If there is no condominium |
339 | property or association property where upon which notices can be |
340 | posted, notices of board meetings shall be mailed, delivered, or |
341 | electronically transmitted at least 14 days before the meeting |
342 | to the owner of each unit. In lieu of or in addition to the |
343 | physical posting of the notice of any meeting of the board of |
344 | administration on the condominium property, the association may, |
345 | by reasonable rule, adopt a procedure for conspicuously posting |
346 | and repeatedly broadcasting the notice and the agenda on a |
347 | closed-circuit cable television system serving the condominium |
348 | association. However, if broadcast notice is used in lieu of a |
349 | notice posted physically posted on the condominium property, the |
350 | notice and agenda must be broadcast at least four times every |
351 | broadcast hour of each day that a posted notice is otherwise |
352 | required under this section. If When broadcast notice is |
353 | provided, the notice and agenda must be broadcast in a manner |
354 | and for a sufficient continuous length of time so as to allow an |
355 | average reader to observe the notice and read and comprehend the |
356 | entire content of the notice and the agenda. Notice of any |
357 | meeting in which regular or special assessments against unit |
358 | owners are to be considered for any reason must shall |
359 | specifically state that assessments will be considered and |
360 | provide the nature, estimated cost, and description of the |
361 | purposes for such assessments. |
362 | 2. Meetings of a committee to take final action on behalf |
363 | of the board or make recommendations to the board regarding the |
364 | association budget are subject to the provisions of this |
365 | paragraph. Meetings of a committee that does not take final |
366 | action on behalf of the board or make recommendations to the |
367 | board regarding the association budget are subject to the |
368 | provisions of this section, unless those meetings are exempted |
369 | from this section by the bylaws of the association. |
370 | 3. Notwithstanding any other law, the requirement that |
371 | board meetings and committee meetings be open to the unit owners |
372 | does not apply is inapplicable to: |
373 | a. Meetings between the board or a committee and the |
374 | association's attorney, with respect to proposed or pending |
375 | litigation, if when the meeting is held for the purpose of |
376 | seeking or rendering legal advice; or |
377 | b. Board meetings held for the purpose of discussing |
378 | personnel matters. |
379 | (d) Unit owner meetings.- |
380 | 1. An annual meeting of the unit owners shall be held at |
381 | the location provided in the association bylaws and, if the |
382 | bylaws are silent as to the location, the meeting shall be held |
383 | within 45 miles of the condominium property. However, such |
384 | distance requirement does not apply to an association governing |
385 | a timeshare condominium. |
386 | 2. Unless the bylaws provide otherwise, a vacancy on the |
387 | board caused by the expiration of a director's term shall be |
388 | filled by electing a new board member, and the election must be |
389 | by secret ballot. An election is not required However, if the |
390 | number of vacancies equals or exceeds the number of candidates, |
391 | an election is not required. Except in a timeshare condominium, |
392 | the terms of all board members of the board expire at the annual |
393 | meeting and such board members may stand for reelection unless |
394 | otherwise permitted by the bylaws. If the bylaws permit |
395 | staggered terms of no more than 2 years and upon approval of a |
396 | majority of the total voting interests, the association board |
397 | members may serve 2-year staggered terms. If the number of board |
398 | members whose terms have expired exceeds the number of eligible |
399 | members showing interest in or demonstrating an intention to run |
400 | for the vacant positions, each board member whose term has |
401 | expired is eligible for reappointment to the board of |
402 | administration and need not stand for reelection. In a |
403 | condominium association of more than 10 units or in a |
404 | condominium association that does not include timeshare units or |
405 | timeshare interests, coowners of a unit may not serve as members |
406 | of the board of directors at the same time unless they own more |
407 | than one unit or unless there are not enough eligible candidates |
408 | to fill the vacancies on the board at the time of the vacancy. |
409 | Any unit owner desiring to be a candidate for board membership |
410 | must comply with sub-subparagraph 4.a. 3.a. A person who has |
411 | been suspended or removed by the division under this chapter, or |
412 | who is delinquent in the payment of any fee, fine, or special or |
413 | regular assessment as provided in paragraph (n), is not eligible |
414 | for board membership. A person who has been convicted of any |
415 | felony in this state or in a United States District or |
416 | Territorial Court, or who has been convicted of any offense in |
417 | another jurisdiction which that would be considered a felony if |
418 | committed in this state, is not eligible for board membership |
419 | unless such felon's civil rights have been restored for at least |
420 | 5 years as of the date on which such person seeks election to |
421 | the board. The validity of an action by the board is not |
422 | affected if it is later determined that a board member of the |
423 | board is ineligible for board membership due to having been |
424 | convicted of a felony. |
425 | 3.2. The bylaws must provide the method of calling |
426 | meetings of unit owners, including annual meetings. Written |
427 | notice, which must include an agenda, must shall be mailed, hand |
428 | delivered, or electronically transmitted to each unit owner at |
429 | least 14 days before the annual meeting, and must be posted in a |
430 | conspicuous place on the condominium property at least 14 |
431 | continuous days before preceding the annual meeting. Upon notice |
432 | to the unit owners, the board shall, by duly adopted rule, |
433 | designate a specific location on the condominium property or |
434 | association property where upon which all notices of unit owner |
435 | meetings shall be posted. This requirement does not apply |
436 | However, if there is no condominium property or association |
437 | property for posting upon which notices can be posted, this |
438 | requirement does not apply. In lieu of, or in addition to, the |
439 | physical posting of meeting notices, the association may, by |
440 | reasonable rule, adopt a procedure for conspicuously posting and |
441 | repeatedly broadcasting the notice and the agenda on a closed- |
442 | circuit cable television system serving the condominium |
443 | association. However, if broadcast notice is used in lieu of a |
444 | notice posted physically on the condominium property, the notice |
445 | and agenda must be broadcast at least four times every broadcast |
446 | hour of each day that a posted notice is otherwise required |
447 | under this section. If broadcast notice is provided, the notice |
448 | and agenda must be broadcast in a manner and for a sufficient |
449 | continuous length of time so as to allow an average reader to |
450 | observe the notice and read and comprehend the entire content of |
451 | the notice and the agenda. Unless a unit owner waives in writing |
452 | the right to receive notice of the annual meeting in writing, |
453 | such notice must be hand delivered, mailed, or electronically |
454 | transmitted to each unit owner. Notice for meetings and notice |
455 | for all other purposes must be mailed to each unit owner at the |
456 | address last furnished to the association by the unit owner, or |
457 | hand delivered to each unit owner. However, if a unit is owned |
458 | by more than one person, the association must shall provide |
459 | notice, for meetings and all other purposes, to the that one |
460 | address that which the developer initially identified identifies |
461 | for that purpose and thereafter as one or more of the owners of |
462 | the unit shall advise the association in writing, or if no |
463 | address is given or the owners of the unit do not agree, to the |
464 | address provided on the deed of record. An officer of the |
465 | association, or the manager or other person providing notice of |
466 | the association meeting, must shall provide an affidavit or |
467 | United States Postal Service certificate of mailing, to be |
468 | included in the official records of the association affirming |
469 | that the notice was mailed or hand delivered, in accordance with |
470 | this provision. |
471 | 4.3. The members of the board shall be elected by written |
472 | ballot or voting machine. Proxies may not be used in electing |
473 | the board in general elections or elections to fill vacancies |
474 | caused by recall, resignation, or otherwise, unless otherwise |
475 | provided in this chapter. |
476 | a. At least 60 days before a scheduled election, the |
477 | association shall mail, deliver, or electronically transmit, |
478 | whether by separate association mailing or included in another |
479 | association mailing, delivery, or transmission, including |
480 | regularly published newsletters, to each unit owner entitled to |
481 | a vote, a first notice of the date of the election. Any unit |
482 | owner or other eligible person desiring to be a candidate for |
483 | the board must give written notice of his or her intent to be a |
484 | candidate to the association at least 40 days before a scheduled |
485 | election. Together with the written notice and agenda as set |
486 | forth in subparagraph 3. 2., the association shall mail, |
487 | deliver, or electronically transmit a second notice of the |
488 | election to all unit owners entitled to vote, together with a |
489 | ballot that lists all candidates. Upon request of a candidate, |
490 | an information sheet, no larger than 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, |
491 | which must be furnished by the candidate at least 35 days before |
492 | the election, must be included with the mailing, delivery, or |
493 | transmission of the ballot, with the costs of mailing, delivery, |
494 | or electronic transmission and copying to be borne by the |
495 | association. The association is not liable for the contents of |
496 | the information sheets prepared by the candidates. In order to |
497 | reduce costs, the association may print or duplicate the |
498 | information sheets on both sides of the paper. The division |
499 | shall by rule establish voting procedures consistent with this |
500 | sub-subparagraph, including rules establishing procedures for |
501 | giving notice by electronic transmission and rules providing for |
502 | the secrecy of ballots. Elections shall be decided by a |
503 | plurality of those ballots cast. There is no quorum requirement; |
504 | however, at least 20 percent of the eligible voters must cast a |
505 | ballot in order to have a valid election of members of the |
506 | board. A unit owner may not permit any other person to vote his |
507 | or her ballot, and any ballots improperly cast are invalid. A, |
508 | provided any unit owner who violates this provision may be fined |
509 | by the association in accordance with s. 718.303. A unit owner |
510 | who needs assistance in casting the ballot for the reasons |
511 | stated in s. 101.051 may obtain such assistance. The regular |
512 | election must occur on the date of the annual meeting. This sub- |
513 | subparagraph does not apply to timeshare condominium |
514 | associations. Notwithstanding this sub-subparagraph, an election |
515 | is not required unless more candidates file notices of intent to |
516 | run or are nominated than board vacancies exist. |
517 | b. Within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the |
518 | board, each newly elected or appointed director shall certify in |
519 | writing to the secretary of the association that he or she has |
520 | read the association's declaration of condominium, articles of |
521 | incorporation, bylaws, and current written policies; that he or |
522 | she will work to uphold such documents and policies to the best |
523 | of his or her ability; and that he or she will faithfully |
524 | discharge his or her fiduciary responsibility to the |
525 | association's members. In lieu of this written certification, |
526 | within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board, |
527 | the newly elected or appointed director may submit a certificate |
528 | of having satisfactorily completed satisfactory completion of |
529 | the educational curriculum administered by a division-approved |
530 | condominium education provider within 1 year before the date of |
531 | election or appointment. The written certification or |
532 | educational certificate is valid and does not have to be |
533 | resubmitted as long as the director continuously serves on the |
534 | board. A director who fails to timely file the written |
535 | certification or educational certificate is suspended from |
536 | service on the board until he or she complies with this sub- |
537 | subparagraph. The board may temporarily fill the vacancy during |
538 | the period of suspension. The secretary shall cause the |
539 | association to retain a director's written certification or |
540 | educational certificate for inspection by the members for 5 |
541 | years after a director's election. Failure to have such written |
542 | certification or educational certificate on file does not affect |
543 | the validity of any board action. |
544 | 5.4. Any approval by unit owners called for by this |
545 | chapter or the applicable declaration or bylaws, including, but |
546 | not limited to, the approval requirement in s. 718.111(8), must |
547 | shall be made at a duly noticed meeting of unit owners and is |
548 | subject to all requirements of this chapter or the applicable |
549 | condominium documents relating to unit owner decisionmaking, |
550 | except that unit owners may take action by written agreement, |
551 | without meetings, on matters for which action by written |
552 | agreement without meetings is expressly allowed by the |
553 | applicable bylaws or declaration or any law statute that |
554 | provides for such action. |
555 | 6.5. Unit owners may waive notice of specific meetings if |
556 | allowed by the applicable bylaws or declaration or any law |
557 | statute. If authorized by the bylaws, notice of meetings of the |
558 | board of administration, unit owner meetings, except unit owner |
559 | meetings called to recall board members under paragraph (j), and |
560 | committee meetings may be given by e-mail electronic |
561 | transmission to unit owners who consent to receive notice by |
562 | electronic transmission. |
563 | 7.6. Unit owners may shall have the right to participate |
564 | in meetings of unit owners with reference to all designated |
565 | agenda items. However, the association may adopt reasonable |
566 | rules governing the frequency, duration, and manner of unit |
567 | owner participation. |
568 | 8.7. A Any unit owner may tape record or videotape a |
569 | meeting of the unit owners subject to reasonable rules adopted |
570 | by the division. |
571 | 9.8. Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, any vacancy |
572 | occurring on the board before the expiration of a term may be |
573 | filled by the affirmative vote of the majority of the remaining |
574 | directors, even if the remaining directors constitute less than |
575 | a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. In the alternative, |
576 | a board may hold an election to fill the vacancy, in which case |
577 | the election procedures must conform to the requirements of sub- |
578 | subparagraph 4.a. 3.a. unless the association governs 10 units |
579 | or fewer and has opted out of the statutory election process, in |
580 | which case the bylaws of the association control. Unless |
581 | otherwise provided in the bylaws, a board member appointed or |
582 | elected under this section shall fill the vacancy for the |
583 | unexpired term of the seat being filled. Filling vacancies |
584 | created by recall is governed by paragraph (j) and rules adopted |
585 | by the division. |
586 |
|
587 | Notwithstanding subparagraph (b)2. and sub-subparagraph 4.a. |
588 | (d)3.a., an association of 10 or fewer units may, by affirmative |
589 | vote of a majority of the total voting interests, provide for |
590 | different voting and election procedures in its bylaws, which |
591 | vote may be by a proxy specifically delineating the different |
592 | voting and election procedures. The different voting and |
593 | election procedures may provide for elections to be conducted by |
594 | limited or general proxy. |
595 | Section 3. Section 718.114, Florida Statutes, is amended |
596 | to read: |
597 | 718.114 Association powers.-An association may has the |
598 | power to enter into agreements, to acquire leaseholds, |
599 | memberships, and other possessory or use interests in lands or |
600 | facilities such as country clubs, golf courses, marinas, and |
601 | other recreational facilities,. It has this power whether or not |
602 | the lands or facilities are contiguous to the lands of the |
603 | condominium, if such lands and facilities they are intended to |
604 | provide enjoyment, recreation, or other use or benefit to the |
605 | unit owners. All of these leaseholds, memberships, and other |
606 | possessory or use interests existing or created at the time of |
607 | recording the declaration must be stated and fully described in |
608 | the declaration. Subsequent to the recording of the declaration, |
609 | agreements acquiring these leaseholds, memberships, or other |
610 | possessory or use interests which are not entered into within 12 |
611 | months following the recording of the declaration are shall be |
612 | considered a material alteration or substantial addition to the |
613 | real property that is association property, and the association |
614 | may not acquire or enter into such agreements acquiring these |
615 | leaseholds, memberships, or other possessory or use interests |
616 | except upon a vote of, or written consent by, a majority of the |
617 | total voting interests as authorized by the declaration as |
618 | provided in s. 718.113. The declaration may provide that the |
619 | rental, membership fees, operations, replacements, and other |
620 | expenses are common expenses and may impose covenants and |
621 | restrictions concerning their use and may contain other |
622 | provisions not inconsistent with this chapter. A condominium |
623 | association may conduct bingo games as provided in s. 849.0931. |
624 | Section 4. Subsection (3), paragraph (b) of subsection |
625 | (5), and subsection (11) of section 718.116, Florida Statutes, |
626 | are amended to read: |
627 | 718.116 Assessments; liability; lien and priority; |
628 | interest; collection.- |
629 | (3) Assessments and installments on assessments which are |
630 | not paid when due bear interest at the rate provided in the |
631 | declaration, from the due date until paid. The This rate may not |
632 | exceed the rate allowed by law, and, if no rate is provided in |
633 | the declaration, interest accrues at the rate of 18 percent per |
634 | year. Also, If provided by the declaration or bylaws, the |
635 | association may, in addition to such interest, charge an |
636 | administrative late fee of up to the greater of $25 or 5 percent |
637 | of each installment of the assessment for each delinquent |
638 | installment for which the payment is late. The association may |
639 | also charge for any reasonable expenses for collection services |
640 | incurred relating to the delinquent account. Any payment |
641 | received by an association must be applied first to any interest |
642 | accrued by the association, then to any administrative late fee, |
643 | then to any expenses for collection services, then to any costs |
644 | and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in collection, and then |
645 | to the delinquent assessment. The foregoing is applicable |
646 | notwithstanding any restrictive endorsement, designation, or |
647 | instruction placed on or accompanying a payment. A late fee is |
648 | not subject to chapter 687 or s. 718.303(4) 718.303(3). |
649 | (5) |
650 | (b) To be valid, a claim of lien must state the |
651 | description of the condominium parcel, the name of the record |
652 | owner, the name and address of the association, the amount due, |
653 | and the due dates. It must be executed and acknowledged by an |
654 | officer or authorized agent of the association. The lien is not |
655 | effective longer than 1 year after the claim of lien was |
656 | recorded unless, within that time, an action to enforce the lien |
657 | is commenced. The 1-year period is automatically extended for |
658 | any length of time during which the association is prevented |
659 | from filing a foreclosure action by an automatic stay resulting |
660 | from a bankruptcy petition filed by the parcel owner or any |
661 | other person claiming an interest in the parcel. The claim of |
662 | lien secures all unpaid assessments that are due and that may |
663 | accrue after the claim of lien is recorded and through the entry |
664 | of a final judgment, as well as interest and all reasonable |
665 | costs and attorney's fees incurred by the association incident |
666 | to the collection process. The claim of lien also secures any |
667 | reasonable expenses for collection services relating to the |
668 | delinquent account which the association incurred before filing |
669 | a claim. Upon payment in full, the person making the payment is |
670 | entitled to a satisfaction of the lien. |
671 |
|
672 | After notice of contest of lien has been recorded, the clerk of |
673 | the circuit court shall mail a copy of the recorded notice to |
674 | the association by certified mail, return receipt requested, at |
675 | the address shown in the claim of lien or most recent amendment |
676 | to it and shall certify to the service on the face of the |
677 | notice. Service is complete upon mailing. After service, the |
678 | association has 90 days in which to file an action to enforce |
679 | the lien; and, if the action is not filed within the 90-day |
680 | period, the lien is void. However, the 90-day period shall be |
681 | extended for any length of time during which that the |
682 | association is prevented from filing its action because of an |
683 | automatic stay resulting from the filing of a bankruptcy |
684 | petition by the unit owner or by any other person claiming an |
685 | interest in the parcel. |
686 | (11) If the unit is occupied by a tenant and the unit |
687 | owner is delinquent in paying any monetary obligation due to the |
688 | association, the association may make a written demand that the |
689 | tenant pay all unpaid rent due to the association the future |
690 | monetary obligations related to the condominium unit to the |
691 | association, and continue to the tenant must make such payment |
692 | until all monetary obligations of the unit owner related to the |
693 | unit have been paid in full to the association. The demand is |
694 | continuing in nature and, upon demand, The tenant must pay the |
695 | rent the monetary obligations to the association until the |
696 | association releases the tenant or the tenant discontinues |
697 | tenancy in the unit. The association must mail written notice to |
698 | the unit owner of the association's demand that the tenant make |
699 | payments to the association. The association shall, upon |
700 | request, provide the tenant with written receipts for payments |
701 | made. A tenant who acts in good faith in response to a written |
702 | demand from an association is immune from any claim by from the |
703 | unit owner. Any payment received from a tenant must be applied |
704 | to the unit owner's most delinquent monetary obligation. |
705 | (a) If the tenant prepaid rent to the unit owner before |
706 | receiving the demand from the association and provides written |
707 | evidence of prepaying paying the rent to the association within |
708 | 14 days after receiving the demand, the tenant shall receive |
709 | credit for the prepaid rent for the applicable period but and |
710 | must make any subsequent rental payments to the association to |
711 | be credited against the monetary obligations of the unit owner |
712 | to the association. |
713 | (b) The tenant is not liable for increases in the amount |
714 | of the monetary obligations due unless the tenant was notified |
715 | in writing of the increase at least 10 days before the date the |
716 | rent is due. The liability of the tenant may not exceed the |
717 | amount due from the tenant to the tenant's landlord. The |
718 | tenant's landlord shall provide the tenant a credit against |
719 | rents due to the unit owner in the amount of moneys paid to the |
720 | association under this section. |
721 | (c) The association may issue notices under s. 83.56 and |
722 | may sue for eviction under ss. 83.59-83.625 as if the |
723 | association were a landlord under part II of chapter 83 if the |
724 | tenant fails to pay a required payment to the association. |
725 | However, the association is not otherwise considered a landlord |
726 | under chapter 83 and specifically has no obligations duties |
727 | under s. 83.51. |
728 | (d) The tenant does not, by virtue of payment of rent |
729 | monetary obligations to the association, have any of the rights |
730 | of a unit owner to vote in any election or to examine the books |
731 | and records of the association. |
732 | (e) A court may supersede the effect of this subsection by |
733 | appointing a receiver. |
734 | Section 5. Subsections (3), (4), and (11), paragraphs (a) |
735 | and (d) of subsection (12), subsection (14), paragraph (a) of |
736 | subsection (17), and subsections (18) and (19) of section |
737 | 718.117, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
738 | 718.117 Termination of condominium.- |
739 | (3) OPTIONAL TERMINATION.-Except as provided in subsection |
740 | (2) or unless the declaration provides for a lower percentage, |
741 | the condominium form of ownership of the property may be |
742 | terminated for all or a portion of the condominium property |
743 | pursuant to a plan of termination approved by at least 80 |
744 | percent of the total voting interests of the condominium if no |
745 | not more than 10 percent of the total voting interests of the |
746 | condominium have rejected the plan of termination by negative |
747 | vote or by providing written objections thereto. This subsection |
748 | does not apply to condominiums in which 75 percent or more of |
749 | the units are timeshare units. |
750 | (4) EXEMPTION.-A plan of termination is not an amendment |
751 | subject to s. 718.110(4). In a partial termination, a plan of |
752 | termination is not an amendment subject to s. 718.110(4) if the |
753 | ownership share of the common elements of a surviving unit in |
754 | the condominium remains in the same proportion to the surviving |
755 | units as it was before the partial termination. |
756 | (11) PLAN OF TERMINATION; OPTIONAL PROVISIONS; CONDITIONAL |
757 | TERMINATION.- |
758 | (a) The plan of termination may provide that each unit |
759 | owner retains the exclusive right of possession to the portion |
760 | of the real estate which that formerly constituted the unit if, |
761 | in which case the plan specifies must specify the conditions of |
762 | possession. In a partial termination, the plan of termination as |
763 | specified in subsection (10) must also identify the units that |
764 | survive the partial termination and provide that such units |
765 | remain in the condominium form of ownership pursuant to an |
766 | amendment to the declaration of condominium or an amended and |
767 | restated declaration. In a partial termination, title to the |
768 | surviving units and common elements that remain part of the |
769 | condominium property specified in the plan of termination remain |
770 | vested in the ownership shown in the public records and do not |
771 | vest in the termination trustee. |
772 | (b) In a conditional termination, the plan must specify |
773 | the conditions for termination. A conditional plan does not vest |
774 | title in the termination trustee until the plan and a |
775 | certificate executed by the association with the formalities of |
776 | a deed, confirming that the conditions in the conditional plan |
777 | have been satisfied or waived by the requisite percentage of the |
778 | voting interests, have been recorded. In a partial termination, |
779 | the plan does not vest title to the surviving units or common |
780 | elements that remain part of the condominium property in the |
781 | termination trustee. |
782 | (12) ALLOCATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE OF CONDOMINIUM |
783 | PROPERTY.- |
784 | (a) Unless the declaration expressly provides for the |
785 | allocation of the proceeds of sale of condominium property, the |
786 | plan of termination must first apportion the proceeds between |
787 | the aggregate value of all units and the value of the common |
788 | elements, based on their respective fair market values |
789 | immediately before the termination, as determined by one or more |
790 | independent appraisers selected by the association or |
791 | termination trustee. In a partial termination, the aggregate |
792 | values of the units and common elements that are being |
793 | terminated must be separately determined, and the plan of |
794 | termination must specify the allocation of the proceeds of sale |
795 | for the units and common elements. |
796 | (d) Liens that encumber a unit shall be transferred to the |
797 | proceeds of sale of the condominium property and the proceeds of |
798 | sale or other distribution of association property, common |
799 | surplus, or other association assets attributable to such unit |
800 | in their same priority. In a partial termination, liens that |
801 | encumber a unit being terminated must be transferred to the |
802 | proceeds of sale of that portion of the condominium property |
803 | being terminated which are attributable to such unit. The |
804 | proceeds of any sale of condominium property pursuant to a plan |
805 | of termination may not be deemed to be common surplus or |
806 | association property. |
807 | (14) TITLE VESTED IN TERMINATION TRUSTEE.-If termination |
808 | is pursuant to a plan of termination under subsection (2) or |
809 | subsection (3), the unit owners' rights and title to as tenants |
810 | in common in undivided interests in the condominium property |
811 | being terminated vests vest in the termination trustee when the |
812 | plan is recorded or at a later date specified in the plan. The |
813 | unit owners thereafter become the beneficiaries of the proceeds |
814 | realized from the plan of termination as set forth in the plan. |
815 | The termination trustee may deal with the condominium property |
816 | being terminated or any interest therein if the plan confers on |
817 | the trustee the authority to protect, conserve, manage, sell, or |
818 | dispose of the condominium property. The trustee, on behalf of |
819 | the unit owners, may contract for the sale of real property |
820 | being terminated, but the contract is not binding on the unit |
821 | owners until the plan is approved pursuant to subsection (2) or |
822 | subsection (3). |
823 | (17) DISTRIBUTION.- |
824 | (a) Following termination of the condominium, the |
825 | condominium property, association property, common surplus, and |
826 | other assets of the association shall be held by the termination |
827 | trustee pursuant to the plan of termination, as trustee for unit |
828 | owners and holders of liens on the units, in their order of |
829 | priority unless otherwise set forth in the plan of termination. |
830 | (18) ASSOCIATION STATUS.-The termination of a condominium |
831 | does not change the corporate status of the association that |
832 | operated the condominium property. The association continues to |
833 | exist to conclude its affairs, prosecute and defend actions by |
834 | or against it, collect and discharge obligations, dispose of and |
835 | convey its property, and collect and divide its assets, but not |
836 | to act except as necessary to conclude its affairs. In a partial |
837 | termination, the association may continue as the condominium |
838 | association for the property that remains subject to a |
839 | declaration of condominium. |
840 | (19) CREATION OF ANOTHER CONDOMINIUM.-The termination or |
841 | partial termination of a condominium does not bar the filing of |
842 | a declaration of condominium or an amended and restated |
843 | declaration of condominium by the termination trustee or the |
844 | trustee's successor in interest which affects affecting any |
845 | portion of the same property that does not continue under the |
846 | condominium form of ownership pursuant to the plan of |
847 | termination. The partial termination may provide for the |
848 | simultaneous filing of an amendment to the declaration of |
849 | condominium or an amended and restated declaration of |
850 | condominium by the condominium association for any portion of |
851 | the property remaining in the condominium form of ownership. |
852 | Section 6. Subsections (3), (4), and (5) of section |
853 | 718.303, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (6) is |
854 | added to that section, to read: |
855 | 718.303 Obligations of owners and occupants; remedies.- |
856 | (3) If a unit owner is delinquent for more than 90 days in |
857 | paying a monetary obligation due to the association, the |
858 | association may suspend the right of a unit owner or a unit's |
859 | occupant, licensee, or invitee to use common elements, common |
860 | facilities, or any other association property until the monetary |
861 | obligation is paid. This subsection does not apply to limited |
862 | common elements intended to be used only by that unit, common |
863 | elements that must be used to access the unit, utility services |
864 | provided to the unit, parking spaces, or elevators. The |
865 | association may also levy reasonable fines for the failure of |
866 | the owner of the unit, or its occupant, licensee, or invitee, to |
867 | comply with any provision of the declaration, the association |
868 | bylaws, or reasonable rules of the association. A fine may does |
869 | not become a lien against a unit. A fine may not exceed $100 per |
870 | violation. However, A fine may be levied on the basis of each |
871 | day of a continuing violation, with a single notice and |
872 | opportunity for hearing. However, the fine may not exceed $100 |
873 | per violation, or $1,000 in the aggregate exceed $1,000. A fine |
874 | may not be levied and a suspension may not be imposed unless the |
875 | association first provides at least 14 days' written notice and |
876 | an opportunity for a hearing to the unit owner and, if |
877 | applicable, its occupant, licensee, or invitee. The hearing must |
878 | be held before a committee of other unit owners who are neither |
879 | board members nor persons residing in a board member's |
880 | household. If the committee does not agree with the fine or |
881 | suspension, the fine or suspension may not be levied or imposed. |
882 | (4) If a unit owner is more than 90 days delinquent in |
883 | paying a monetary obligation due to the association, the |
884 | association may suspend the right of the unit owner or the |
885 | unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee to use common elements, |
886 | common facilities, or any other association property until the |
887 | monetary obligation is paid. This subsection does not apply to |
888 | limited common elements intended to be used only by that unit, |
889 | common elements needed to access the unit, utility services |
890 | provided to the unit, parking spaces, or elevators. The notice |
891 | and hearing requirements under subsection (3) do not apply to |
892 | suspensions imposed under this subsection. |
893 | (4) The notice and hearing requirements of subsection (3) |
894 | do not apply to the imposition of suspensions or fines against a |
895 | unit owner or a unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee because of |
896 | failing to pay any amounts due the association. If such a fine |
897 | or suspension is imposed, the association must levy the fine or |
898 | impose a reasonable suspension at a properly noticed board |
899 | meeting, and after the imposition of such fine or suspension, |
900 | the association must notify the unit owner and, if applicable, |
901 | the unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee by mail or hand |
902 | delivery. |
903 | (5) An association may also suspend the voting rights of a |
904 | member due to nonpayment of any monetary obligation due to the |
905 | association which is more than 90 days delinquent. The |
906 | suspension ends upon full payment of all obligations currently |
907 | due or overdue the association. The notice and hearing |
908 | requirements under subsection (3) do not apply to a suspension |
909 | imposed under this subsection. |
910 | (6) All suspensions imposed pursuant to subsection (4) or |
911 | subsection (5) must be approved at a properly noticed board |
912 | meeting. Upon approval, the association must notify the unit |
913 | owner and, if applicable, the unit's occupant, licensee, or |
914 | invitee by mail or hand delivery. |
915 | Section 7. Section 718.703, Florida Statutes, is amended |
916 | to read: |
917 | 718.703 Definitions.-As used in this part, the term: |
918 | (1) "Bulk assignee" means a person who is not a bulk buyer |
919 | and who: |
920 | (a) Acquires more than seven condominium parcels in a |
921 | single condominium as set forth in s. 718.707; and |
922 | (b) Receives an assignment of any of the developer rights, |
923 | other than or in addition to those rights described in |
924 | subsection (2), some or all of the rights of the developer as |
925 | set forth in the declaration of condominium or this chapter: by |
926 | 1. By a written instrument recorded as part of, or an |
927 | exhibit to the deed; or as |
928 | 2. By a separate instrument recorded in the public records |
929 | of the county in which the condominium is located; or |
930 | 3. Pursuant to a final judgment or certificate of title |
931 | issued in favor of a purchaser at a foreclosure sale. |
932 |
|
933 | A mortgagee or its assignee may not be deemed a bulk assignee or |
934 | a developer by reason of the acquisition of condominium units |
935 | and receipt of an assignment of some or all of a developer |
936 | rights unless the mortgagee or its assignee exercises any of the |
937 | developer rights other than those described in subsection (2). |
938 | (2) "Bulk buyer" means a person who acquires more than |
939 | seven condominium parcels in a single condominium as set forth |
940 | in s. 718.707, but who does not receive an assignment of any |
941 | developer rights, or receives only some or all of the following |
942 | rights: other than |
943 | (a) The right to conduct sales, leasing, and marketing |
944 | activities within the condominium; |
945 | (b) The right to be exempt from the payment of working |
946 | capital contributions to the condominium association arising out |
947 | of, or in connection with, the bulk buyer's acquisition of the a |
948 | bulk number of units; and |
949 | (c) The right to be exempt from any rights of first |
950 | refusal which may be held by the condominium association and |
951 | would otherwise be applicable to subsequent transfers of title |
952 | from the bulk buyer to a third party purchaser concerning one or |
953 | more units. |
954 | Section 8. Section 718.704, Florida Statutes, is amended |
955 | to read: |
956 | 718.704 Assignment and assumption of developer rights by |
957 | bulk assignee; bulk buyer.- |
958 | (1) A bulk assignee is deemed to have assumed assumes and |
959 | is liable for all duties and responsibilities of the developer |
960 | under the declaration and this chapter upon its acquisition of |
961 | title to units, except that it is not liable for: |
962 | (a) Warranties of the developer under s. 718.203(1) or s. |
963 | 718.618, except as expressly provided by the bulk assignee in a |
964 | prospectus or offering circular, or the contract for purchase |
965 | and sale executed with a purchaser, or for design, construction, |
966 | development, or repair work performed by or on behalf of the |
967 | such bulk assignee.; |
968 | (b) The obligation to: |
969 | 1. Fund converter reserves under s. 718.618 for a unit |
970 | that was not acquired by the bulk assignee; or |
971 | 2. Provide implied converter warranties on any portion of |
972 | the condominium property except as expressly provided by the |
973 | bulk assignee in a prospectus or offering circular, or the |
974 | contract for purchase and sale executed with a purchaser, or for |
975 | and pertaining to any design, construction, development, or |
976 | repair work performed by or on behalf of the bulk assignee.; |
977 | (c) The requirement to provide the association with a |
978 | cumulative audit of the association's finances from the date of |
979 | formation of the condominium association as required by s. |
980 | 718.301(4)(c). However, the bulk assignee must provide an audit |
981 | for the period during which the bulk assignee elects or appoints |
982 | a majority of the members of the board of administration.; |
983 | (d) Any liability arising out of or in connection with |
984 | actions taken by the board of administration or the developer- |
985 | appointed directors before the bulk assignee elects or appoints |
986 | a majority of the members of the board of administration.; and |
987 | (e) Any liability for or arising out of the developer's |
988 | failure to fund previous assessments or to resolve budgetary |
989 | deficits in relation to a developer's right to guarantee |
990 | assessments, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2). |
991 |
|
992 | The bulk assignee is also responsible only for delivering |
993 | documents and materials in accordance with s. 718.705(3). A bulk |
994 | assignee may expressly assume some or all of the developer |
995 | obligations of the developer described in paragraphs (a)-(e). |
996 | (2) A bulk assignee assigned the developer rights |
997 | receiving the assignment of the rights of the developer to |
998 | guarantee the level of assessments and fund budgetary deficits |
999 | pursuant to s. 718.116 assumes and is liable for all obligations |
1000 | of the developer with respect to such guarantee upon its |
1001 | acquisition of title to the units, including any applicable |
1002 | funding of reserves to the extent required by law, for as long |
1003 | as the guarantee remains in effect. A bulk assignee not |
1004 | receiving such assignment, or a bulk buyer, does not assume and |
1005 | is not liable for the obligations of the developer with respect |
1006 | to such guarantee, but is responsible for payment of assessments |
1007 | due on or after acquisition of the units in the same manner as |
1008 | all other owners of condominium parcels or as otherwise provided |
1009 | in s. 718.116. |
1010 | (3) A bulk buyer is liable for the duties and |
1011 | responsibilities of a the developer under the declaration and |
1012 | this chapter only to the extent that such provided in this part, |
1013 | together with any other duties or responsibilities are of the |
1014 | developer expressly assumed in writing by the bulk buyer. |
1015 | (4) An acquirer of condominium parcels is not a bulk |
1016 | assignee or a bulk buyer if the transfer to such acquirer was |
1017 | made: |
1018 | (a) Before the effective date of this part; |
1019 | (b) With the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud any |
1020 | purchaser, unit owner, or the association;, or if the acquirer |
1021 | is |
1022 | (c) By a person who would be considered an insider under |
1023 | s. 726.102(7). |
1024 | (5) An assignment of developer rights to a bulk assignee |
1025 | may be made by a the developer, a previous bulk assignee, a |
1026 | mortgagee or assignee who has acquired title to the units and |
1027 | received an assignment of rights, or a court acting on behalf of |
1028 | the developer or the previous bulk assignee if such developer |
1029 | rights are held by the predecessor in title to the bulk |
1030 | assignee. At any particular time, there may not be no more than |
1031 | one bulk assignee within a condominium; however, but there may |
1032 | be more than one bulk buyer. If more than one acquirer of |
1033 | condominium parcels in the same condominium receives an |
1034 | assignment of developer rights in addition to those rights |
1035 | described in s. 718.703(2) from the same person, the bulk |
1036 | assignee is the acquirer whose instrument of assignment is |
1037 | recorded first in the public records of the county in which the |
1038 | condominium is located, and any subsequent purported bulk |
1039 | assignee may still qualify as a bulk buyer. |
1040 | Section 9. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 718.705, |
1041 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
1042 | 718.705 Board of administration; transfer of control.- |
1043 | (1) If, at the time the bulk assignee acquires title to |
1044 | the units and receives an assignment of developer rights, the |
1045 | developer has not relinquished control of the board of |
1046 | administration, for purposes of determining the timing for |
1047 | transfer of control of the board of administration of the |
1048 | association to unit owners other than the developer under s. |
1049 | 718.301(1)(a) and (b), if a bulk assignee is entitled to elect a |
1050 | majority of the members of the board, a condominium parcel |
1051 | acquired by the bulk assignee is not deemed to be conveyed to a |
1052 | purchaser, or owned by an owner other than the developer, until |
1053 | the condominium parcel is conveyed to an owner who is not a bulk |
1054 | assignee. |
1055 | (3) If a bulk assignee relinquishes control of the board |
1056 | of administration as set forth in s. 718.301, the bulk assignee |
1057 | must deliver all of those items required by s. 718.301(4). |
1058 | However, the bulk assignee is not required to deliver items and |
1059 | documents not in the possession of the bulk assignee if some |
1060 | items were or should have been in existence before the bulk |
1061 | assignee's acquisition of the units during the period during |
1062 | which the bulk assignee was entitled to elect at least a |
1063 | majority of the members of the board of administration. In |
1064 | conjunction with the acquisition of units condominium parcels, a |
1065 | bulk assignee shall undertake a good faith effort to obtain the |
1066 | documents and materials that must be provided to the association |
1067 | pursuant to s. 718.301(4). If the bulk assignee is not able to |
1068 | obtain all of such documents and materials, the bulk assignee |
1069 | must certify in writing to the association the names or |
1070 | descriptions of the documents and materials that were not |
1071 | obtainable by the bulk assignee. Delivery of the certificate |
1072 | relieves the bulk assignee of responsibility for delivering the |
1073 | documents and materials referenced in the certificate as |
1074 | otherwise required under ss. 718.112 and 718.301 and this part. |
1075 | The responsibility of the bulk assignee for the audit required |
1076 | by s. 718.301(4) commences as of the date on which the bulk |
1077 | assignee elected or appointed a majority of the members of the |
1078 | board of administration. |
1079 | Section 10. Section 718.706, Florida Statutes, is amended |
1080 | to read: |
1081 | 718.706 Specific provisions pertaining to offering of |
1082 | units by a bulk assignee or bulk buyer.- |
1083 | (1) Before offering more than seven any units in a single |
1084 | condominium for sale or for lease for a term exceeding 5 years, |
1085 | a bulk assignee or a bulk buyer must file the following |
1086 | documents with the division and provide such documents to a |
1087 | prospective purchaser or tenant: |
1088 | (a) An updated prospectus or offering circular, or a |
1089 | supplement to the prospectus or offering circular, filed by the |
1090 | original developer prepared in accordance with s. 718.504, which |
1091 | must include the form of contract for sale and for lease in |
1092 | compliance with s. 718.503(2); |
1093 | (b) An updated Frequently Asked Questions and Answers |
1094 | sheet; |
1095 | (c) The executed escrow agreement if required under s. |
1096 | 718.202; and |
1097 | (d) The financial information required by s. 718.111(13). |
1098 | However, if a financial information report did does not exist |
1099 | for the fiscal year before the acquisition of title by the bulk |
1100 | assignee or bulk buyer, and or accounting records that cannot be |
1101 | obtained in good faith by the bulk assignee or the bulk buyer |
1102 | which would permit preparation of the required financial |
1103 | information report for that period cannot be obtained despite |
1104 | good faith efforts by the bulk assignee or the bulk buyer, the |
1105 | bulk assignee or bulk buyer is excused from the requirement of |
1106 | this paragraph. However, the bulk assignee or bulk buyer must |
1107 | include in the purchase contract the following statement in |
1108 | conspicuous type: |
1109 |
|
1110 | ALL OR A PORTION OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION REPORT |
1111 | REQUIRED UNDER S. 718.111(13) FOR THE TIME PERIOD |
1112 | BEFORE THE SELLER'S ACQUISITION OF THE UNIT |
1113 | IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR OF THE ASSOCIATION |
1114 | IS NOT AVAILABLE OR CANNOT BE OBTAINED DESPITE THE |
1115 | GOOD FAITH EFFORTS OF CREATED BY THE SELLER DUE TO THE |
1116 | INSUFFICIENT ACCOUNTING RECORDS OF THE ASSOCIATION. |
1117 |
|
1118 | (2) Before offering more than seven any units in a single |
1119 | condominium for sale or for lease for a term exceeding 5 years, |
1120 | a bulk assignee or a bulk buyer must file with the division and |
1121 | provide to a prospective purchaser or tenant under a lease for a |
1122 | term exceeding 5 years a disclosure statement that includes, but |
1123 | is not limited to: |
1124 | (a) A description of any rights of the developer rights |
1125 | that developer which have been assigned to the bulk assignee or |
1126 | bulk buyer; |
1127 | (b) The following statement in conspicuous type: |
1128 |
|
1129 | THE SELLER IS NOT OBLIGATED FOR ANY WARRANTIES OF THE |
1130 | DEVELOPER UNDER S. 718.203(1) OR S. 718.618, AS |
1131 | APPLICABLE, EXCEPT FOR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, |
1132 | DEVELOPMENT, OR REPAIR WORK PERFORMED BY OR ON BEHALF |
1133 | OF THE SELLER; and |
1134 |
|
1135 | (c) If the condominium is a conversion subject to part VI, |
1136 | the following statement in conspicuous type: |
1137 |
|
1138 | THE SELLER HAS NO OBLIGATION TO FUND CONVERTER |
1139 | RESERVES OR TO PROVIDE CONVERTER WARRANTIES UNDER S. |
1140 | 718.618 ON ANY PORTION OF THE CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY |
1141 | EXCEPT AS MAY BE EXPRESSLY REQUIRED OF THE SELLER IN |
1142 | THE CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE EXECUTED BY THE |
1143 | SELLER AND THE PREVIOUS DEVELOPER AND PERTAINING TO |
1144 | ANY DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, OR REPAIR WORK |
1145 | PERFORMED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE SELLER. |
1146 |
|
1147 | (3) A bulk assignee, while it is in control of the board |
1148 | of administration of the association, may not authorize, on |
1149 | behalf of the association: |
1150 | (a) The waiver of reserves or the reduction of funding of |
1151 | the reserves pursuant to s. 718.112(2)(f)2., unless approved by |
1152 | a majority of the voting interests not controlled by the |
1153 | developer, bulk assignee, and bulk buyer; or |
1154 | (b) The use of reserve expenditures for other purposes |
1155 | pursuant to s. 718.112(2)(f)3., unless approved by a majority of |
1156 | the voting interests not controlled by the developer, bulk |
1157 | assignee, and bulk buyer. |
1158 | (4) A bulk assignee or a bulk buyer must comply with all |
1159 | the requirements of s. 718.302 regarding any contracts entered |
1160 | into by the association during the period the bulk assignee or |
1161 | bulk buyer maintains control of the board of administration. |
1162 | Unit owners shall be provided afforded all of the rights and the |
1163 | protections contained in s. 718.302 regarding agreements entered |
1164 | into by the association which are under the control of before |
1165 | unit owners other than the developer, bulk assignee, or bulk |
1166 | buyer elected a majority of the board of administration. |
1167 | (5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, a |
1168 | bulk assignee or a bulk buyer is not required to comply with the |
1169 | filing or disclosure requirements of subsections (1) and (2) if |
1170 | all of the units owned by the bulk assignee or bulk buyer are |
1171 | offered and conveyed to a single purchaser in a single |
1172 | transaction. A bulk buyer must comply with the requirements |
1173 | contained in the declaration regarding any transfer of a unit, |
1174 | including sales, leases, and subleases. A bulk buyer is not |
1175 | entitled to any exemptions afforded a developer or successor |
1176 | developer under this chapter regarding the transfer of a unit, |
1177 | including sales, leases, or subleases. |
1178 | Section 11. Section 718.707, Florida Statutes, is amended |
1179 | to read: |
1180 | 718.707 Time limitation for classification as bulk |
1181 | assignee or bulk buyer.-A person acquiring condominium parcels |
1182 | may not be classified as a bulk assignee or bulk buyer unless |
1183 | the condominium parcels were acquired on or after July 1, 2010, |
1184 | but before July 1, 2012. The date of such acquisition shall be |
1185 | determined by the date of recording of a deed or other |
1186 | instrument of conveyance for such parcels in the public records |
1187 | of the county in which the condominium is located, or by the |
1188 | date of issuing issuance of a certificate of title in a |
1189 | foreclosure proceeding with respect to such condominium parcels. |
1190 | Section 12. Subsection (10) of section 719.108, Florida |
1191 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
1192 | 719.108 Rents and assessments; liability; lien and |
1193 | priority; interest; collection; cooperative ownership.- |
1194 | (10) If the unit is occupied by a tenant and the unit |
1195 | owner is delinquent in paying any monetary obligation due to the |
1196 | association, the association may make a written demand that the |
1197 | tenant pay all unpaid rent due to the association the future |
1198 | monetary obligations related to the unit cooperative share to |
1199 | the association and continue to the tenant must make such |
1200 | payment until all monetary obligations of the unit owner related |
1201 | to the unit have been paid in full to the association. The |
1202 | demand is continuing in nature, and upon demand, The tenant must |
1203 | pay the rent the monetary obligations to the association until |
1204 | the association releases the tenant or the tenant discontinues |
1205 | tenancy in the unit. The association must mail written notice to |
1206 | the unit owner of the association's demand that the tenant make |
1207 | payments to the association. The association shall, upon |
1208 | request, provide the tenant with written receipts for payments |
1209 | made. A tenant who acts in good faith in response to a written |
1210 | demand from an association is immune from any claim by from the |
1211 | unit owner. Any payment received from a tenant by the |
1212 | association must be applied to the unit owner's most delinquent |
1213 | monetary obligation. |
1214 | (a) If the tenant prepaid rent to the unit owner before |
1215 | receiving the demand from the association and provides written |
1216 | evidence of prepaying paying the rent to the association within |
1217 | 14 days after receiving the demand, the tenant shall receive |
1218 | credit for the prepaid rent for the applicable period but and |
1219 | must make any subsequent rental payments to the association to |
1220 | be credited against the monetary obligations of the unit owner |
1221 | to the association. |
1222 | (b) The tenant is not liable for increases in the amount |
1223 | of the regular monetary obligations due unless the tenant was |
1224 | notified in writing of the increase at least 10 days before the |
1225 | date on which the rent is due. The liability of the tenant may |
1226 | not exceed the amount due from the tenant to the tenant's |
1227 | landlord. The tenant's landlord shall provide the tenant a |
1228 | credit against rents due to the unit owner in the amount of |
1229 | moneys paid to the association under this section. |
1230 | (c) The association may issue notices under s. 83.56 and |
1231 | may sue for eviction under ss. 83.59-83.625 as if the |
1232 | association were a landlord under part II of chapter 83 if the |
1233 | tenant fails to pay a required payment. However, the association |
1234 | is not otherwise considered a landlord under chapter 83 and |
1235 | specifically has no obligations duties under s. 83.51. |
1236 | (d) The tenant does not, by virtue of payment of monetary |
1237 | obligations, have any of the rights of a unit owner to vote in |
1238 | any election or to examine the books and records of the |
1239 | association. |
1240 | (e) A court may supersede the effect of this subsection by |
1241 | appointing a receiver. |
1242 | Section 13. Subsection (3) of section 719.303, Florida |
1243 | Statutes, is amended, and subsections (4), (5), and (6) are |
1244 | added to that section, to read: |
1245 | 719.303 Obligations of owners.- |
1246 | (3) If the cooperative documents so provide, The |
1247 | association may levy reasonable fines against a unit owner for |
1248 | failure of the unit owner or the unit's occupant, his or her |
1249 | licensee, or invitee or the unit's occupant to comply with any |
1250 | provision of the cooperative documents or reasonable rules of |
1251 | the association. A fine may not No fine shall become a lien |
1252 | against a unit. No fine shall exceed $100 per violation. |
1253 | However, A fine may be levied on the basis of each day of a |
1254 | continuing violation, with a single notice and opportunity for |
1255 | hearing. However, the fine may not exceed $100 per violation, or |
1256 | $1,000 provided that no such fine shall in the aggregate exceed |
1257 | $1,000. A No fine may not be levied except after giving |
1258 | reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing to the unit |
1259 | owner and, if applicable, the unit's his or her licensee or |
1260 | invitee. The hearing must shall be held before a committee of |
1261 | other unit owners. If the committee does not agree with the |
1262 | fine, it may shall not be levied. This subsection does not apply |
1263 | to unoccupied units. |
1264 | (4) If a unit owner is more than 90 days delinquent in |
1265 | paying a monetary obligation due to the association, the |
1266 | association may suspend the right of the unit owner or the |
1267 | unit's occupant, licensee, or invitee to use common elements, |
1268 | common facilities, or any other association property until the |
1269 | monetary obligation is paid. This subsection does not apply to |
1270 | limited common elements intended to be used only by that unit, |
1271 | common elements needed to access the unit, utility services |
1272 | provided to the unit, parking spaces, or elevators. The notice |
1273 | and hearing requirements under subsection (3) do not apply to |
1274 | suspensions imposed under this subsection. |
1275 | (5) An association may suspend the voting rights of a |
1276 | member due to nonpayment of any monetary obligation due to the |
1277 | association which is more than 90 days delinquent. The |
1278 | suspension ends upon full payment of all obligations currently |
1279 | due or overdue the association. The notice and hearing |
1280 | requirements under subsection (3) do not apply to a suspension |
1281 | imposed under this subsection. |
1282 | (6) All suspensions imposed pursuant to subsection (4) or |
1283 | subsection (5) must be approved at a properly noticed board |
1284 | meeting. Upon approval, the association must notify the unit |
1285 | owner and, if applicable, the unit's occupant, licensee, or |
1286 | invitee by mail or hand delivery. |
1287 | Section 14. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section |
1288 | 720.303, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
1289 | 720.303 Association powers and duties; meetings of board; |
1290 | official records; budgets; financial reporting; association |
1291 | funds; recalls.- |
1292 | (5) INSPECTION AND COPYING OF RECORDS.-The official |
1293 | records shall be maintained within the state and must be open to |
1294 | inspection and available for photocopying by members or their |
1295 | authorized agents at reasonable times and places within 10 |
1296 | business days after receipt of a written request for access. |
1297 | This subsection may be complied with by having a copy of the |
1298 | official records available for inspection or copying in the |
1299 | community. If the association has a photocopy machine available |
1300 | where the records are maintained, it must provide parcel owners |
1301 | with copies on request during the inspection if the entire |
1302 | request is limited to no more than 25 pages. |
1303 | (c) The association may adopt reasonable written rules |
1304 | governing the frequency, time, location, notice, records to be |
1305 | inspected, and manner of inspections, but may not require a |
1306 | parcel owner to demonstrate any proper purpose for the |
1307 | inspection, state any reason for the inspection, or limit a |
1308 | parcel owner's right to inspect records to less than one 8-hour |
1309 | business day per month. The association may impose fees to cover |
1310 | the costs of providing copies of the official records, |
1311 | including, without limitation, the costs of copying. The |
1312 | association may charge up to 50 cents per page for copies made |
1313 | on the association's photocopier. If the association does not |
1314 | have a photocopy machine available where the records are kept, |
1315 | or if the records requested to be copied exceed 25 pages in |
1316 | length, the association may have copies made by an outside |
1317 | vendor or association management company personnel and may |
1318 | charge the actual cost of copying, including any reasonable |
1319 | costs involving personnel fees and charges at an hourly rate for |
1320 | vendor or employee time to cover administrative costs to the |
1321 | vendor or association. The association shall maintain an |
1322 | adequate number of copies of the recorded governing documents, |
1323 | to ensure their availability to members and prospective members. |
1324 | Notwithstanding this paragraph, the following records are not |
1325 | accessible to members or parcel owners: |
1326 | 1. Any record protected by the lawyer-client privilege as |
1327 | described in s. 90.502 and any record protected by the work- |
1328 | product privilege, including, but not limited to, a any record |
1329 | prepared by an association attorney or prepared at the |
1330 | attorney's express direction which reflects a mental impression, |
1331 | conclusion, litigation strategy, or legal theory of the attorney |
1332 | or the association and which was prepared exclusively for civil |
1333 | or criminal litigation or for adversarial administrative |
1334 | proceedings or which was prepared in anticipation of such |
1335 | imminent civil or criminal litigation or imminent adversarial |
1336 | administrative proceedings until the conclusion of the |
1337 | litigation or administrative proceedings. |
1338 | 2. Information obtained by an association in connection |
1339 | with the approval of the lease, sale, or other transfer of a |
1340 | parcel. |
1341 | 3. Personnel records of the association's employees, |
1342 | including, but not limited to, disciplinary, payroll, health, |
1343 | and insurance records, but not including written employment |
1344 | agreements with an association employee or budgetary or |
1345 | financial records that indicate the compensation paid to an |
1346 | association employee. |
1347 | 4. Medical records of parcel owners or community |
1348 | residents. |
1349 | 5. Social security numbers, driver's license numbers, |
1350 | credit card numbers, e-mail electronic mailing addresses, |
1351 | telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, emergency contact |
1352 | information, any addresses for a parcel owner other than as |
1353 | provided for association notice requirements, and other personal |
1354 | identifying information of any person, excluding the person's |
1355 | name, parcel designation, mailing address, and property address. |
1356 | 6. Any electronic security measure that is used by the |
1357 | association to safeguard data, including passwords. |
1358 | 7. The software and operating system used by the |
1359 | association which allows the manipulation of data, even if the |
1360 | owner owns a copy of the same software used by the association. |
1361 | The data is part of the official records of the association. |
1362 | Section 15. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 720.305, |
1363 | Florida Statutes, are amended and renumbered as subsections (3) |
1364 | and (4), respectively, and subsection (5) is added to that |
1365 | section, to read: |
1366 | 720.305 Obligations of members; remedies at law or in |
1367 | equity; levy of fines and suspension of use rights.- |
1368 | (2) The association If a member is delinquent for more |
1369 | than 90 days in paying a monetary obligation due the |
1370 | association, an association may suspend, until such monetary |
1371 | obligation is paid, the rights of a member or a member's |
1372 | tenants, guests, or invitees, or both, to use common areas and |
1373 | facilities and may levy reasonable fines of up to $100 per |
1374 | violation, against any member or any member's tenant, guest, or |
1375 | invitee for the failure of the owner of the parcel, or its |
1376 | occupant, licensee, or invitee, to comply with any provision of |
1377 | the declaration, the association bylaws, or reasonable rules of |
1378 | the association. A fine may be levied for each day of a |
1379 | continuing violation, with a single notice and opportunity for |
1380 | hearing, except that the a fine may not exceed $1,000 in the |
1381 | aggregate unless otherwise provided in the governing documents. |
1382 | A fine of less than $1,000 may not become a lien against a |
1383 | parcel. In any action to recover a fine, the prevailing party is |
1384 | entitled to collect its reasonable attorney's fees and costs |
1385 | from the nonprevailing party as determined by the court. |
1386 | (a) If the governing documents so provide, an association |
1387 | may suspend, for a reasonable period of time, the rights of a |
1388 | member or a member's tenant, guest, or invitee, to use common |
1389 | areas and facilities for the failure of the owner of the parcel, |
1390 | or its occupant, licensee, or invitee, to comply with any |
1391 | provision of the declaration, the association bylaws, or |
1392 | reasonable rules of the association. The provisions regarding |
1393 | the suspension-of-use rights do not apply to the portion of |
1394 | common areas that must be used to provide access to the parcel |
1395 | or utility services provided to the parcel. |
1396 | (b)(a) A fine or suspension may not be imposed without at |
1397 | least 14 days' notice to the person sought to be fined or |
1398 | suspended and an opportunity for a hearing before a committee of |
1399 | at least three members appointed by the board who are not |
1400 | officers, directors, or employees of the association, or the |
1401 | spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister of an officer, |
1402 | director, or employee. If the committee, by majority vote, does |
1403 | not approve a proposed fine or suspension, it may not be |
1404 | imposed. If the association imposes a fine or suspension, the |
1405 | association must provide written notice of such fine or |
1406 | suspension by mail or hand delivery to the parcel owner and, if |
1407 | applicable, to any tenant, licensee, or invitee of the parcel |
1408 | owner. |
1409 | (3) If a member is more than 90 days delinquent in paying |
1410 | a monetary obligation due the association, the association may |
1411 | suspend the rights of a member, or a member's tenant, guest, or |
1412 | invitee, to use common areas and facilities until the monetary |
1413 | obligation is paid. The subsection does not apply to that |
1414 | portion of common areas used to provide access to the parcel or |
1415 | to utility services provided to the parcel. |
1416 | (b) Suspension does of common-area-use rights do not |
1417 | impair the right of an owner or tenant of a parcel to have |
1418 | vehicular and pedestrian ingress to and egress from the parcel, |
1419 | including, but not limited to, the right to park. The notice and |
1420 | hearing requirements under subsection (2) do not apply to a |
1421 | suspension imposed under this subsection. |
1422 | (4)(3) If the governing documents so provide, An |
1423 | association may suspend the voting rights of a member for the |
1424 | nonpayment of any monetary obligation that is more than regular |
1425 | annual assessments that are delinquent in excess of 90 days |
1426 | delinquent. The notice and hearing requirements under subsection |
1427 | (2) do not apply to a suspension imposed under this subsection. |
1428 | The suspension ends upon full payment of all obligations |
1429 | currently due or overdue the association. |
1430 | (5) All suspensions imposed pursuant to subsection (3) or |
1431 | subsection (4) must be approved at a properly noticed board |
1432 | meeting. Upon approval, the association must notify the parcel |
1433 | owner and, if applicable, the parcel's occupant, licensee, or |
1434 | invitee by mail or hand delivery. |
1435 | Section 16. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection |
1436 | (8) of section 720.3085, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
1437 | 720.3085 Payment for assessments; lien claims.- |
1438 | (1) When authorized by the governing documents, the |
1439 | association has a lien on each parcel to secure the payment of |
1440 | assessments and other amounts provided for by this section. |
1441 | Except as otherwise set forth in this section, the lien is |
1442 | effective from and shall relate back to the date on which the |
1443 | original declaration of the community was recorded. However, as |
1444 | to first mortgages of record, the lien is effective from and |
1445 | after recording of a claim of lien in the public records of the |
1446 | county in which the parcel is located. This subsection does not |
1447 | bestow upon any lien, mortgage, or certified judgment of record |
1448 | on July 1, 2008, including the lien for unpaid assessments |
1449 | created in this section, a priority that, by law, the lien, |
1450 | mortgage, or judgment did not have before July 1, 2008. |
1451 | (a) To be valid, a claim of lien must state the |
1452 | description of the parcel, the name of the record owner, the |
1453 | name and address of the association, the assessment amount due, |
1454 | and the due date. The claim of lien secures shall secure all |
1455 | unpaid assessments that are due and that may accrue subsequent |
1456 | to the recording of the claim of lien and before entry of a |
1457 | certificate of title, as well as interest, late charges, and |
1458 | reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred by the association |
1459 | incident to the collection process. The claim of lien also |
1460 | secures any reasonable expenses for collection services relating |
1461 | to the delinquent account which the association incurred before |
1462 | filing a claim. The person making the payment is entitled to a |
1463 | satisfaction of the lien upon payment in full. |
1464 | (8) If the parcel is occupied by a tenant and the parcel |
1465 | owner is delinquent in paying any monetary obligation due to the |
1466 | association, the association may demand that the tenant pay all |
1467 | unpaid rent due to the association the future monetary |
1468 | obligations related to the parcel until all the monetary |
1469 | obligations of the parcel owner related to the parcel have been |
1470 | paid. The demand is continuing in nature, and upon demand, the |
1471 | tenant must continue to pay the rent to the association the |
1472 | monetary obligations until the association releases the tenant |
1473 | or the tenant discontinues tenancy in the parcel. A tenant who |
1474 | acts in good faith in response to a written demand from an |
1475 | association is immune from any claim by from the parcel owner. |
1476 | Any payment received from a tenant by the association must be |
1477 | applied to the parcel owner's most delinquent monetary |
1478 | obligation. |
1479 | (a) If the tenant prepaid rent to the parcel owner before |
1480 | receiving the demand from the association and provides written |
1481 | evidence of prepaying paying the rent to the association within |
1482 | 14 days after receiving the demand, the tenant shall receive |
1483 | credit for the prepaid rent for the applicable period but and |
1484 | must make any subsequent rental payments to the association to |
1485 | be credited against the monetary obligations of the parcel owner |
1486 | to the association. The association shall, upon request, provide |
1487 | the tenant with written receipts for payments made. The |
1488 | association shall mail written notice to the parcel owner of the |
1489 | association's demand that the tenant pay monetary obligations to |
1490 | the association. |
1491 | (b) The tenant is not liable for increases in the amount |
1492 | of the monetary obligations due unless the tenant was notified |
1493 | in writing of the increase at least 10 days before the date on |
1494 | which the rent is due. The tenant shall be given a credit |
1495 | against rents due to the parcel owner in the amount of |
1496 | assessments paid to the association. |
1497 | (c) The association may issue notices under s. 83.56 and |
1498 | may sue for eviction under ss. 83.59-83.625 as if the |
1499 | association were a landlord under part II of chapter 83 if the |
1500 | tenant fails to pay a monetary obligation. However, the |
1501 | association is not otherwise considered a landlord under chapter |
1502 | 83 and specifically has no obligations duties under s. 83.51. |
1503 | (d) The tenant does not, by virtue of payment of monetary |
1504 | obligations, have any of the rights of a parcel owner to vote in |
1505 | any election or to examine the books and records of the |
1506 | association. |
1507 | (e) A court may supersede the effect of this subsection by |
1508 | appointing a receiver. |
1509 | Section 17. Section 720.309, Florida Statutes, is amended |
1510 | to read: |
1511 | 720.309 Agreements entered into by the association.- |
1512 | (1) Any grant or reservation made by any document, and any |
1513 | contract that has with a term greater than in excess of 10 |
1514 | years, that is made by an association before control of the |
1515 | association is turned over to the members other than the |
1516 | developer, and that provides which provide for the operation, |
1517 | maintenance, or management of the association or common areas, |
1518 | must be fair and reasonable. |
1519 | (2) If the governing documents provide for the cost of |
1520 | communication services as defined in s. 202.11, information |
1521 | services, or Internet services obtained pursuant to a bulk |
1522 | contract shall be deemed an operating expense of the |
1523 | association. If the governing documents do not provide for such |
1524 | services, the board may contract for the services and the cost |
1525 | shall be deemed an operating expense of the association but must |
1526 | be allocated on a per-parcel basis rather than a percentage |
1527 | basis notwithstanding that the governing documents provide for |
1528 | other than an equal sharing of operating expenses. Any contract |
1529 | entered into before July 1, 2011, in which the cost of the |
1530 | service is not equally divided among all parcel owners may be |
1531 | changed by a majority of the voting interests present at a |
1532 | regular or special meeting of the association in order to |
1533 | allocate the cost equally among all parcels. |
1534 | (a) Any contract entered into may be canceled by a |
1535 | majority of the voting interests present at the next regular or |
1536 | special meeting of the association, whichever occurs first. Any |
1537 | member may make a motion to cancel such contract, but if no |
1538 | motion is made or if such motion fails to obtain the required |
1539 | vote, the contract shall be deemed ratified for the term |
1540 | expressed therein. |
1541 | (b) Any contract entered into must provide, and shall be |
1542 | deemed to provide if not expressly set forth therein, that a |
1543 | hearing-impaired or legally blind parcel owner who does not |
1544 | occupy the parcel with a non-hearing-impaired or sighted person, |
1545 | or any parcel owner receiving supplemental security income under |
1546 | Title XVI of the Social Security Act or food stamps as |
1547 | administered by the Department of Children and Family Services |
1548 | pursuant to s. 414.31, may discontinue the service without |
1549 | incurring disconnect fees, penalties, or subsequent service |
1550 | charges, and may not be required to pay any operating expenses |
1551 | charge related to such service for those parcels. If fewer than |
1552 | all parcel owners share the expenses of the communication |
1553 | services, information services, or Internet services, the |
1554 | expense must be shared by all participating parcel owners. The |
1555 | association may use the provisions of s. 720.3085 to enforce |
1556 | payment by the parcel owners receiving such services. |
1557 | (c) A resident of any parcel, whether a tenant or parcel |
1558 | owner, may not be denied access to available franchised, |
1559 | licensed, or certificated cable or video service providers if |
1560 | the resident pays the provider directly for services. A resident |
1561 | or cable or video service provider may not be required to pay |
1562 | anything of value in order to obtain or provide such service |
1563 | except for the charges normally paid for like services by |
1564 | residents of single-family homes located outside the community |
1565 | but within the same franchised, licensed, or certificated area, |
1566 | and except for installation charges agreed to between the |
1567 | resident and the service provider. |
1568 | Section 18. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011. |