Senate Bill sb1796

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796

    By Senator Geller





    29-1446-01                                              See HB

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to community associations;

  3         amending s. 26.012, F.S.; clarifying

  4         jurisdiction of the circuit court to exclude

  5         certain matters; amending s. 34.01, F.S.;

  6         providing that judges of county courts may hear

  7         certain matters in equity concerning certain

  8         condominium, cooperative, and homeowner cases;

  9         amending s. 95.11, F.S.; providing a time

10         limitation on legal or equitable actions to

11         enforce the provisions of community association

12         governing documents; amending s. 702.09, F.S.;

13         revising the definitions of the terms

14         "mortgage" and "foreclosure proceedings";

15         amending s. 713.135, F.S.; revising the form

16         for a building permit application to include

17         reference to communities regulated by a private

18         community association; amending s. 718.104,

19         F.S.; revising provisions governing

20         declarations for the creation of a condominium;

21         amending s. 718.106, F.S.; revising provisions

22         with respect to appurtenances that pass with a

23         condominium unit; amending s. 718.110, F.S.;

24         revising provisions governing amendments to a

25         declaration of condominium; amending s.

26         718.111, F.S.; revising provisions with respect

27         to the association; amending s. 718.112, F.S.;

28         revising provisions with respect to bylaws;

29         amending s. 718.113, F.S.; revising provisions

30         with respect to material alterations of common

31         elements or association real property operated

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1         by a multicondominium association; amending s.

  2         718.115, F.S.; revising provisions with respect

  3         to common expenses; amending s. 718.405, F.S.;

  4         revising provisions with respect to

  5         multicondominiums and multicondominium

  6         associations; amending s. 718.504, F.S.;

  7         revising provisions with respect to the

  8         prospectus or offering circular; providing an

  9         effective date.

10

11  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

12

13         Section 1.  Subsection (2) of section 26.012, Florida

14  Statutes, is amended to read:

15         26.012  Jurisdiction of circuit court.--

16         (2)  They shall have exclusive original jurisdiction:

17         (a)  In all actions at law not cognizable by the county

18  courts;

19         (b)  Of proceedings relating to the settlement of the

20  estates of decedents and minors, the granting of letters

21  testamentary, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, the

22  determination of incompetency, and other jurisdiction usually

23  pertaining to courts of probate;

24         (c)  In all cases in equity including all cases

25  relating to juveniles except traffic offenses as provided in

26  chapters 316 and 985 and except as set forth in s. 34.01(4);

27         (d)  Of all felonies and of all misdemeanors arising

28  out of the same circumstances as a felony which is also

29  charged;

30

31

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1         (e)  In all cases involving legality of any tax

  2  assessment or toll or denial of refund, except as provided in

  3  s. 72.011;

  4         (f)  In actions of ejectment; and

  5         (g)  In all actions involving the title and boundaries

  6  of real property.

  7         Section 2.  Subsection (4) of section 34.01, Florida

  8  Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         34.01  Jurisdiction of county court.--

10         (4)  Judges of county courts may hear all matters in

11  equity involved in any case within the jurisdictional amount

12  of the county court, except as otherwise restricted by the

13  State Constitution or the laws of Florida. Judges of county

14  courts may hear all matters in equity in cases arising under

15  ss. 718.303, 719.303, and 720.305, or to enforce an

16  arbitrator's award under s. 718.1255 where no monetary damages

17  are sought. It is the intent of this subsection to provide the

18  circuit courts and county courts with concurrent jurisdiction

19  over condominium, cooperative, and homeowner cases seeking

20  solely injunctive relief, declaratory relief, or other

21  equitable relief where no claim for damages is asserted.

22         Section 3.  Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of

23  section 95.11, Florida Statutes, and paragraph (a) of

24  subsection (5) of that section is amended, to read:

25         95.11  Limitations other than for the recovery of real

26  property.--Actions other than for recovery of real property

27  shall be commenced as follows:

28         (2)  WITHIN FIVE YEARS.--

29         (d)  A legal or equitable action to enforce the

30  provisions of community association governing documents,

31  including deed restrictions, declaration of covenants,

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  declaration of condominium, cooperative ownership agreements,

  2  articles of incorporation, bylaws, and association rules and

  3  regulations.

  4         (5)  WITHIN ONE YEAR.--

  5         (a)  An action for specific performance of a contract.

  6  Legal or equitable actions to enforce the provisions of

  7  community association governing documents, as set forth in

  8  paragraph (2)(d), shall not be considered actions involving

  9  specific performance of contract.

10         Section 4.  Section 702.09, Florida Statutes, is

11  amended to read:

12         702.09  Definitions.--For the purposes of ss. 702.07

13  and 702.08 the words "decree of foreclosure" shall include a

14  judgment or order rendered or passed in the foreclosure

15  proceedings in which the decree of foreclosure shall be

16  rescinded, vacated, and set aside; the word "mortgage" shall

17  mean any written instrument securing the payment of money or

18  advances and shall include liens to secure payment of

19  assessments arising under chapters 718, 719, and 720; the word

20  "debt" shall include promissory notes, bonds, and all other

21  written obligations given for the payment of money; the words

22  "foreclosure proceedings" shall embrace every action in the

23  circuit or county courts of this state wherein it is sought to

24  foreclose a mortgage and sell the property covered by the

25  same; and the word "property" shall mean and include both real

26  and personal property.

27         Section 5.  Subsection (6) of section 713.135, Florida

28  Statutes, is amended to read:

29         713.135  Notice of commencement and applicability of

30  lien.--

31

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1         (6)  In addition to any other information required by

  2  the authority issuing the permit, the building permit

  3  application must be in substantially the following form:

  4

  5                                           Tax Folio No.........

  6                   BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION

  7

  8  Owner's Name..................................................

  9  Owner's Address...............................................

10  Fee Simple Titleholder's Name (If other than owner)...........

11  Fee Simple Titleholder's Address (If other than owner)........

12  City..........................................................

13  State............ Zip............

14  Contractor's Name.............................................

15  Contractor's Address..........................................

16  City..........................................................

17  State............ Zip............

18  Job Name......................................................

19  Job Address...................................................

20  City................                        County............

21  Legal Description.............................................

22  Bonding Company...............................................

23  Bonding Company Address.......................................

24  City................ State............

25  Architect/Engineer's Name.....................................

26  Architect/Engineer's Address..................................

27  Mortgage Lender's Name........................................

28  Mortgage Lender's Address.....................................

29

30         Application is hereby made to obtain a permit to do the

31  work and installations as indicated.  I certify that no work

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a

  2  permit and that all work will be performed to meet the

  3  standards of all laws regulating construction in this

  4  jurisdiction.  I understand that a separate permit must be

  5  secured for ELECTRICAL WORK, PLUMBING, SIGNS, WELLS, POOLS,

  6  FURNACES, BOILERS, HEATERS, TANKS, and AIR CONDITIONERS, etc.

  7

  8  OWNER'S AFFIDAVIT:  I certify that all the foregoing

  9  information is accurate and that all work will be done in

10  compliance with all applicable laws regulating construction

11  and zoning.

12

13         WARNING TO OWNER:  YOUR FAILURE TO RECORD A

14         NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT MAY RESULT IN YOUR

15         PAYING TWICE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO YOUR PROPERTY.

16

17         IF YOU INTEND TO OBTAIN FINANCING, CONSULT WITH

18         YOUR LENDER OR AN ATTORNEY BEFORE RECORDING

19         YOUR NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT.

20

21         IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN A CONDOMINIUM,

22         COOPERATIVE, SUBDIVISION, OR OTHER COMMUNITY

23         REGULATED BY A PRIVATE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION,

24         OR IF IT IS SUBJECT TO COVENANTS OR

25         RESTRICTIONS, THE BUILDING PERMIT YOU OBTAIN

26         WITH THIS APPLICATION DOES NOT AFFECT ANY

27         SEPARATE PRIVATE OBLIGATION YOU MAY HAVE TO

28         SATISFY THOSE COVENANTS OR RESTRICTIONS OR TO

29         OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM A COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

30         BEFORE UNDERTAKING THE PROPOSED WORK.

31

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1                     ...(Signature of Owner or Agent)...

  2                            ...(including contractor)...

  3  STATE OF FLORIDA

  4  COUNTY OF ....

  5

  6

  7         Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this

  8  .... day of ...., ...(year)..., by ...(name of person making

  9  statement)....

10

11           ...(Signature of Notary Public - State of Florida)...

12           ...(Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary

13  Public)...

14

15         Personally Known .... OR Produced Identification ....

16

17         Type of Identification Produced............

18                                 ...(Signature of Contractor)...

19

20

21  STATE OF FLORIDA

22  COUNTY OF ....

23

24

25         Sworn to (or affirmed) and subscribed before me this

26  .... day of ...., ...(year)..., by ...(name of person making

27  statement)....

28

29           ...(Signature of Notary Public - State of Florida)...

30           ...(Print, Type, or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary

31  Public)...

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1

  2         Personally Known .... OR Produced Identification ....

  3

  4         Type of Identification Produced............

  5

  6                (Certificate of Competency Holder)

  7

  8  Contractor's State Certification or Registration No.....

  9

10  Contractor's Certificate of Competency No.........

11

12  APPLICATION APPROVED BY

13  ................Permit Officer

14

15         Section 6.  Paragraph (h) of subsection (4) and

16  subsection (5) of section 718.104, Florida Statutes, are

17  amended to read:

18         718.104  Creation of condominiums; contents of

19  declaration.--Every condominium created in this state shall be

20  created pursuant to this chapter.

21         (4)  The declaration must contain or provide for the

22  following matters:

23         (h)  If a developer reserves the right, in a

24  declaration recorded on or after July 1, 2000, to create a

25  multicondominium, the declaration must state, or provide a

26  specific formula for determining, the fractional or percentage

27  shares of liability for the common expenses of the association

28  and of ownership of the common surplus of the association to

29  be allocated to the units in each condominium to be operated

30  by the association.  If a the declaration recorded on or after

31  July 1, 2000, for a condominium operated by a multicondominium

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  association, as originally recorded, fails to so provide, the

  2  share of liability for the common expenses of the association

  3  and of ownership of the common surplus of the association

  4  allocated to each unit in each condominium operated by the

  5  association shall be a fraction of the whole, the numerator of

  6  which is the number "one" and the denominator of which is the

  7  total number of units in all condominiums operated by the

  8  association.

  9         (5)  The declaration as originally recorded, or as

10  amended pursuant to the procedures provided therein, may

11  include covenants and restrictions concerning the use,

12  occupancy, and transfer of the units permitted by law with

13  reference to real property. With the exception of amendments

14  that materially modify unit appurtenances as defined in s.

15  718.110(4), amendments may be applied to owners of units

16  existing as of the effective date of the amendment. This

17  section is intended to clarify existing law and applies to

18  associations existing on the effective date of this act.

19  However, the rule against perpetuities shall not defeat a

20  right given any person or entity by the declaration for the

21  purpose of allowing unit owners to retain reasonable control

22  over the use, occupancy, and transfer of units.

23         Section 7.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section

24  718.106, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         718.106  Condominium parcels; appurtenances; possession

26  and enjoyment.--

27         (2)  There shall pass with a unit, as appurtenances

28  thereto:

29         (b)  The exclusive right to use such portion of the

30  common elements as may be provided by the declaration,

31  including the right to transfer such right to other units or

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  unit owners to the extent authorized by the declaration as

  2  originally recorded, or amendments to the declaration adopted

  3  pursuant to the provisions contained therein under s.

  4  718.110(2). Amendments to declarations of condominium

  5  providing for the transfer of use rights with respect to

  6  limited common elements are not amendments which materially

  7  modify unit appurtenances as described in s. 718.110(4). This

  8  section is intended to clarify existing law and applies to

  9  associations existing on the effective date of this act.

10  However, in order to be effective, the transfer of use rights

11  with respect to limited common elements must be effectuated in

12  conformity with the procedures set forth in the declaration as

13  originally recorded or as amended. Further, such transfers

14  must be evidenced by a written instrument which must be

15  executed with the formalities of a deed and recorded in the

16  land records of the county in which the condominium is located

17  in order to be effective. Such instrument of transfer must

18  also specify the legal description of the unit which is

19  transferring use rights, as well as the legal description of

20  the unit obtaining the transfer of such rights.

21         Section 8.  Subsection (4) of section 718.110, Florida

22  Statutes, is amended to read:

23         718.110  Amendment of declaration; correction of error

24  or omission in declaration by circuit court.--

25         (4)  Unless otherwise provided in the declaration as

26  originally recorded, no amendment may change the configuration

27  or size of any unit in any material fashion, materially alter

28  or modify the appurtenances to the unit, or change the

29  proportion or percentage by which the unit owner shares the

30  common expenses of the condominium and owns the common surplus

31  of the condominium unless the record owner of the unit and all

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  record owners of liens on the unit join in the execution of

  2  the amendment and unless all the record owners of all other

  3  units in the same condominium approve the amendment.  The

  4  acquisition of property by the association, and material

  5  alterations or substantial additions to such property or the

  6  common elements by the association in accordance with s.

  7  718.111(7) or s. 718.113, amendments providing for the

  8  transfer of use rights in limited common elements pursuant to

  9  s. 718.106(2)(b), and amendments restricting or modifying the

10  right to lease condominium units, shall not be deemed to

11  constitute a material alteration or modification of the

12  appurtenances to the units. With the exception of amendments

13  that materially modify unit appurtenances as defined in this

14  section, amendments may be applied to owners of units existing

15  as of the effective date of the amendment. This section is

16  intended to clarify existing law and applies to associations

17  existing on the effective date of this act. A declaration

18  recorded after April 1, 1992, may not require the approval of

19  less than a majority of total voting interests of the

20  condominium for amendments under this subsection, unless

21  otherwise required by a governmental entity.

22         Section 9.  Subsection (4), paragraph (a) of subsection

23  (7), and subsection (13) of section 718.111, Florida Statutes,

24  are amended to read:

25         718.111  The association.--

26         (4)  ASSESSMENTS; MANAGEMENT OF COMMON ELEMENTS.--The

27  association has the power to make and collect assessments and

28  to lease, maintain, repair, and replace the common elements or

29  association property; however, the association may not charge

30  a use fee against a unit owner for the use of common elements

31  or association property unless otherwise provided for in the

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  declaration of condominium or by a majority vote of the

  2  association or unless the charges relate to expenses incurred

  3  by an owner having exclusive use of the common elements or

  4  association property.

  5         (7)  TITLE TO PROPERTY.--

  6         (a)  The association has the power to acquire title to

  7  property or otherwise hold, convey, lease, and mortgage

  8  association property for the use and benefit of its members.

  9  The power to acquire personal property shall be exercised by

10  the board of administration. Except as otherwise permitted in

11  subsections (8) and (9) and in s. 718.114, no association may

12  acquire, convey, lease, or mortgage association real property

13  except in the manner provided in the declaration, and if the

14  declaration does not specify the procedure, then approval of

15  75 percent of the total voting interests shall be required.

16         (13)  FINANCIAL REPORTING.--Within 90 days after the

17  end of the fiscal year, or annually on a date provided in the

18  bylaws, the association shall prepare and complete, or

19  contract for the preparation and completion of cause to be

20  prepared and completed by a third party, a financial report

21  for the preceding fiscal year.  Within 21 days after the final

22  financial report is completed by the association or received

23  by the association from the third party, but in no event later

24  than 120 days from the end of the fiscal year, or such other

25  date as is provided in the bylaws, the association shall mail

26  to each unit owner at the address last furnished to the

27  association by the unit owner, or hand deliver to each unit

28  owner, a copy of the financial report or a notice that a copy

29  of the financial report will be mailed or hand delivered to

30  the unit owner, without charge, upon receipt of a written

31  request from the unit owner.  The division shall adopt rules

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  setting forth uniform accounting principles and standards to

  2  be used by all associations and shall adopt rules addressing

  3  financial reporting requirements for multicondominium

  4  associations.  In adopting such rules, the division shall

  5  consider the number of members and annual revenues of an

  6  association.  Financial reports shall be prepared as follows:

  7         (a)  An association that meets the criteria of this

  8  paragraph shall prepare or cause to be prepared a complete set

  9  of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted

10  accounting principles.  The financial statements shall be

11  based upon the association's total annual revenues, as

12  follows:

13         1.  An association with total annual revenues of

14  $100,000 or more, but less than $200,000, shall prepare

15  compiled financial statements.

16         2.  An association with total annual revenues of at

17  least $200,000, but less than $400,000, shall prepare reviewed

18  financial statements.

19         3.  An association with total annual revenues of

20  $400,000 or more shall prepare audited financial statements.

21         (b)1.  An association with total annual revenues of

22  less than $100,000 shall prepare a report of cash receipts and

23  expenditures.

24         2.  An association which operates less than 50 units,

25  regardless of the association's annual revenues, shall prepare

26  a report of cash receipts and expenditures in lieu of

27  financial statements required by paragraph (a).

28         3.  A report of cash receipts and disbursements must

29  disclose the amount of receipts by accounts and receipt

30  classifications and the amount of expenses by accounts and

31  expense classifications, including, but not limited to, the

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  following, as applicable: costs for security, professional and

  2  management fees and expenses, taxes, costs for recreation

  3  facilities, expenses for refuse collection and utility

  4  services, expenses for lawn care, costs for building

  5  maintenance and repair, insurance costs, administration and

  6  salary expenses, and reserves accumulated and expended for

  7  capital expenditures, deferred maintenance, and any other

  8  category for which the association maintains reserves.

  9         (c)  An association may prepare or cause to be

10  prepared, without a meeting of or approval by the unit owners:

11         1.  Compiled, reviewed, or audited financial

12  statements, if the association is required to prepare a report

13  of cash receipts and expenditures;

14         2.  Reviewed or audited financial statements, if the

15  association is required to prepare compiled financial

16  statements; or

17         3.  Audited financial statements if the association is

18  required to prepare reviewed financial statements.

19         (d)  If approved by a majority of the voting interests

20  present at a properly called meeting of the association, an

21  association may prepare or cause to be prepared:

22         1.  A report of cash receipts and expenditures in lieu

23  of a compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statement;

24         2.  A report of cash receipts and expenditures or a

25  compiled financial statement in lieu of a reviewed or audited

26  financial statement; or

27         3.  A report of cash receipts and expenditures, a

28  compiled financial statement, or a reviewed financial

29  statement in lieu of an audited financial statement.

30

31

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  Such meeting and approval must occur prior to the end of the

  2  fiscal year and is effective only for the fiscal year in which

  3  the vote is taken. With respect to an association to which the

  4  developer has not turned over control of the association, all

  5  unit owners, including the developer, may vote on issues

  6  related to the preparation of financial reports for the first

  7  2 fiscal years of the association's operation, beginning with

  8  the fiscal year in which the declaration is recorded.

  9  Thereafter, all unit owners except the developer may vote on

10  such issues until control is turned over to the association by

11  the developer.

12         Section 10.  Subsection (3) of section 718.112, Florida

13  Statutes, is amended to read:

14         718.112  Bylaws.--

15         (3)  OPTIONAL PROVISIONS.--The bylaws as originally

16  recorded, or as amended pursuant to the procedure provided

17  therein, may provide for the following:

18         (a)  A method of adopting and amending administrative

19  rules and regulations governing the details of the operation

20  and use of the common elements.

21         (b)  Restrictions on and requirements for the use,

22  maintenance, and appearance of the units and the use of the

23  common elements.

24         (c)  Other provisions which are not inconsistent with

25  this chapter or with the declaration, as may be desired. This

26  subsection is intended to clarify existing law and applies to

27  associations existing on the effective date of this act.

28         Section 11.  Subsection (2) of section 718.113, Florida

29  Statutes, is amended to read:

30         718.113  Maintenance; limitation upon improvement;

31  display of flag; hurricane shutters.--

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1         (2)(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this section,

  2  there shall be no material alteration or substantial additions

  3  to the common elements or to real property which is

  4  association property, except in a manner provided in the

  5  declaration.  If the declaration does not specify the

  6  procedure for approval of material alterations or substantial

  7  additions, 75 percent of the total voting interests of the

  8  association must approve the alterations or additions.

  9         (b)  There shall not be any material alteration of, or

10  substantial addition to, the common elements of any

11  condominium operated by a multicondominium association unless

12  approved in the manner provided in the declaration of the

13  affected condominium or condominiums as originally recorded,

14  or as amended pursuant to the procedures provided therein. If

15  a declaration as originally recorded or amended does not

16  specify a procedure for approving such an alteration or

17  addition, the approval of 75 percent of the total voting

18  interests of each affected condominium is required. This

19  subsection does not prohibit a provision in any declaration,

20  articles of incorporation, or bylaws as originally recorded or

21  amended requiring the approval of unit owners in any

22  condominium operated by the same association or requiring

23  board approval before a material alteration or substantial

24  addition to the common elements is permitted. This paragraph

25  is intended to clarify existing law and applies to

26  associations existing on the effective date of this act.

27         (c)  There shall not be any material alteration or

28  substantial addition made to association real property

29  operated by a multicondominium association, except as provided

30  in the declaration, articles of incorporation, or bylaws as

31  said documents are originally recorded, or as amended pursuant

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  to the procedures provided therein. If the declaration,

  2  articles of incorporation, or bylaws do not specify the

  3  procedure for approving an alteration or addition to

  4  association real property, the approval of 75 percent of the

  5  total voting interests of the association is required. This

  6  paragraph is intended to clarify existing law and applies to

  7  associations existing on the effective date of this act.

  8         Section 12.  Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1)

  9  of section 718.115, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

10         718.115  Common expenses and common surplus.--

11         (1)

12         (b)  The common expenses of a condominium within a

13  multicondominium are the common expenses directly attributable

14  to the operation of that condominium. The common expenses of a

15  multicondominium association do not include the common

16  expenses directly attributable to the operation of any

17  specific condominium or condominiums within the

18  multicondominium. This paragraph is intended to clarify

19  existing law and applies to associations existing on the

20  effective date of this act.

21         (c)  The common expenses of a multicondominium

22  association may include categories of expenses related to the

23  property or common elements within a specific condominium in

24  the multicondominium if such property or common elements are

25  areas in which all members of the multicondominium association

26  have use rights or from which all members receive tangible

27  economic benefits. Such common expenses of the association

28  shall be identified in the declaration or bylaws of each

29  condominium within the multicondominium association. This

30  paragraph is intended to clarify existing law and applies to

31  associations existing on the effective date of this act.

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1         Section 13.  Subsections (1) and (4) of section

  2  718.405, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

  3         718.405  Multicondominiums; multicondominium

  4  associations.--

  5         (1)  An association may operate more than one

  6  condominium. For multicondominiums created on or after July 1,

  7  2000, if the declaration for each condominium to be operated

  8  by that association shall provide provides for participation

  9  in a multicondominium, in conformity with this section, and

10  disclose discloses or describe describes:

11         (a)  The manner or formula by which the assets,

12  liabilities, common surplus, and common expenses of the

13  association will be apportioned among the units within the

14  condominiums operated by the association, in accordance with

15  s. 718.104(4)(g) or (h), as applicable.

16         (b)  Whether unit owners in any other condominium, or

17  any other persons, will or may have the right to use

18  recreational areas or any other facilities or amenities that

19  are common elements of the condominium, and, if so, the

20  specific formula by which the other users will share the

21  common expenses related to those facilities or amenities.

22         (c)  Recreational and other commonly used facilities or

23  amenities which the developer has committed to provide that

24  will be owned, leased by, or dedicated by a recorded plat to

25  the association but which are not included within any

26  condominium operated by the association. The developer may

27  reserve the right to add additional facilities or amenities if

28  the declaration and prospectus for each condominium to be

29  operated by the association contains the following statement

30  in conspicuous type and in substantially the following form:

31

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  RECREATIONAL FACILITIES MAY BE EXPANDED OR ADDED WITHOUT

  2  CONSENT OF UNIT OWNERS OR THE ASSOCIATION.

  3         (d)  The voting rights of the unit owners in the

  4  election of directors and in other multicondominium

  5  association affairs when a vote of the owners is taken,

  6  including, but not limited to, a statement as to whether each

  7  unit owner will have a right to personally cast his or her own

  8  vote in all matters voted upon.

  9         (4)  This section does not prevent or restrict the

10  formation of a multicondominium by the merger or consolidation

11  of two or more condominium associations. Mergers or

12  consolidations of associations shall be accomplished in

13  accordance with this chapter, the declarations of the

14  condominiums being merged or consolidated, and chapter 617.

15  Section 718.110(4) does not apply to amendments to

16  declarations necessary to effect a merger or consolidation.

17  This section is intended to clarify existing law and applies

18  to associations existing on the effective date of this act.

19         Section 14.  Subsection (15) of section 718.504,

20  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

21         718.504  Prospectus or offering circular.--Every

22  developer of a residential condominium which contains more

23  than 20 residential units, or which is part of a group of

24  residential condominiums which will be served by property to

25  be used in common by unit owners of more than 20 residential

26  units, shall prepare a prospectus or offering circular and

27  file it with the Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums,

28  and Mobile Homes prior to entering into an enforceable

29  contract of purchase and sale of any unit or lease of a unit

30  for more than 5 years and shall furnish a copy of the

31  prospectus or offering circular to each buyer.  In addition to

                                  19

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1  the prospectus or offering circular, each buyer shall be

  2  furnished a separate page entitled "Frequently Asked Questions

  3  and Answers," which shall be in accordance with a format

  4  approved by the division and a copy of the financial

  5  information required by s. 718.111.  This page shall, in

  6  readable language, inform prospective purchasers regarding

  7  their voting rights and unit use restrictions, including

  8  restrictions on the leasing of a unit; shall indicate whether

  9  and in what amount the unit owners or the association is

10  obligated to pay rent or land use fees for recreational or

11  other commonly used facilities; shall contain a statement

12  identifying that amount of assessment which, pursuant to the

13  budget, would be levied upon each unit type, exclusive of any

14  special assessments, and which shall further identify the

15  basis upon which assessments are levied, whether monthly,

16  quarterly, or otherwise; shall state and identify any court

17  cases in which the association is currently a party of record

18  in which the association may face liability in excess of

19  $100,000; and which shall further state whether membership in

20  a recreational facilities association is mandatory, and if so,

21  shall identify the fees currently charged per unit type.  The

22  division shall by rule require such other disclosure as in its

23  judgment will assist prospective purchasers. The prospectus or

24  offering circular may include more than one condominium,

25  although not all such units are being offered for sale as of

26  the date of the prospectus or offering circular.  The

27  prospectus or offering circular must contain the following

28  information:

29         (15)  If a the condominium created on or after July 1,

30  2000, is or may become part of a multicondominium, the

31  following information must be provided:

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1         (a)  A statement in conspicuous type in substantially

  2  the following form:  THIS CONDOMINIUM IS (MAY BE) PART OF A

  3  MULTICONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT IN WHICH OTHER CONDOMINIUMS WILL

  4  (MAY) BE OPERATED BY THE SAME ASSOCIATION. Immediately

  5  following this statement, the location in the prospectus or

  6  offering circular and its exhibits where the multicondominium

  7  aspects of the offering are described must be stated.

  8         (b)  A summary of the provisions in the declaration,

  9  articles of incorporation, and bylaws which establish and

10  provide for the operation of the multicondominium, including a

11  statement as to whether unit owners in the condominium will

12  have the right to use recreational or other facilities located

13  or planned to be located in other condominiums operated by the

14  same association, and the manner of sharing the common

15  expenses related to such facilities.

16         (c)  A statement of the minimum and maximum number of

17  condominiums, and the minimum and maximum number of units in

18  each of those condominiums, which will or may be operated by

19  the association, and the latest date by which the exact number

20  will be finally determined.

21         (d)  A statement as to whether any of the condominiums

22  in the multicondominium may include units intended to be used

23  for nonresidential purposes and the purpose or purposes

24  permitted for such use.

25         (e)  A general description of the location and

26  approximate acreage of any land on which any additional

27  condominiums to be operated by the association may be located.

28         Section 15.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2001.

29

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    Florida Senate - 2001                                  SB 1796
    29-1446-01                                              See HB




  1            *****************************************

  2                       LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

  3
      Revises various provisions of law affecting community
  4    associations to:
           1.  Provide that judges of county courts may hear
  5    described matters in equity concerning certain
      condominium, cooperative, and homeowner cases.
  6         2.  Provide a 5-year time limitation on legal or
      equitable actions to enforce the provisions of community
  7    association governing documents.
           3.  Revise the definitions of the terms "mortgage"
  8    and "foreclosure proceedings."
           4.  Revise the form for a building permit
  9    application to include reference to communities regulated
      by a private community association.
10         5.  Revise various provisions with respect to
      condominiums and cooperatives.
11

12    (See bill for details.)

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