By Solutions Property Management of Florida, Inc. - Monday, September 6, 2021
As you may be aware, the Florida legislature was quite active this year and passed several bills
affecting condominium associations. These laws took effect on July 1, 2021. The following
provides a brief summary of some of the more significant changes made of which you should take
note (this is not an exhaustive list). Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact
me.
§ 718.111(12)(a)11 and (b), Florida Statutes
Bids for work or for materials, equipment, or services must be kept at least 1 year after receipt of the
bid.
§ 718.111(12)(c)1 Florida Statutes
An association cannot mandate that unit owners provide reasons to inspect official records.
Renters must be given access to the declaration, bylaws and rules, but they have no rights to other
official records.
§ 718.112(2)(d)2, Florida Statutes
Board member 8 year terms limits shall run from the first day of any term beginning on or after July
1, 2018. Clarifies that the 8 years does not include any time served prior to July 1, 2018.
§ 718.112(2)(d)2, Florida Statutes
Members of an association’s board of directors can be disqualified only for a delinquency in the
payment of assessments instead of “any monetary obligation” (which was the previous language,
and included fines).
§ 718.112(2)(f)1, Florida Statutes
The board must adopt the association’s annual budget at least 14 days prior to the start of the
association’s fiscal year. If a board does not adopt a new budget as required, the prior budget shall
stay in effect until a new budget it adopted. Failure to timely adopt a budget twice shall be deemed
a “minor violation” and could subject the association to monetary penalties as set forth in the Florida
Administrative Code.
§ 718.112(2)(I), Florida Statutes
If authority to charge a transfer fee is set forth in the governing documents, the upper limit for the
transfer fee is raised to $150.00 per adult applicant. The amount of the fee will increase in
accordance with the Consumer Price Index every 5 years.
§ 718.116(6), Florida Statutes
Notices of an association’s intent to lien, and its intent to foreclose, must now provide 45 days to
comply instead of 30.
Before sending a delinquent account to the association attorney, a new, form 30-day courtesy notice
must be provided to the owner.
§ 718.1255, Florida Statutes
A party may now choose whether to pursue an arbitrable dispute via non-binding arbitration, or
alternatively via presuit mediation followed by a lawsuit. Previously, arbitration was the only and
mandatory choice for arbitrable disputes.
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