Category: Q&A

Q We live in a small tract called Mayfield, which consists of 51 houses, each of them being approximately 1,200 square feet to around 1,500 square feet. We originally bought our home in 1992; it was the first lot in the development. We…

Q In our association in Florida, as it is in many others, I’m sure, we are having an awful time getting people to serve on the board. We have a small condo association and it is difficult, if not impossible, to attract and retain good …

Q I live in a condo community where owners tend to be apathetic and not get involved. The board consists of three people who serve because no one els e will. At issue is the property manager, who does not believe in communication or fo…

Q How do I get rid of a lackluster maintenance person? This person is non-unionized. Are we allowed to terminate underperforming in-house staff personnel? What recourse do we have? —Helpless in Hollywood A “I am assumin…

Q I live in a Florida HOA and we have had reserve accounts for our roofs/painting since our 1986 inception. Approximately $4.00 of every homeowner's maintenance fee goes into the reserve account that we have set up. However, at a recen…

Q I live in a development that was built in 1983. The developers turned the property over in 1989 to become a homeowners association (HOA). Since then, the association has maintained the building exterior and fences. When the real estate …

Q Our association recently hired a new management company. An announcement was sent to the homeowners announcing the change. A new board initiated this action with no input from the homeowners and no discussion. I have specifically reques…

Returning Surplus Funds Q We are a 56-unit condominium. Our bylaws require that end-of-year excess funds be returned to unit owners either in a lump sum or credited to monthly installments until exhausted. Bylaws define excess funds…

Water, Water Everywhere Q Our condo was built in the early ‘80s. The developer didn’t have the foresight to include a slope or pitch when constructing the balconies. (My building has 6 floors, for example). Needless to say, when it …

Error of Omission? Q Our association recently had to replace a pool safety cover. It was 14 years old and just could not be patched anymore. We got quotes for the cover and selected a vendor. Thinking this replacement would be funde…