In a recent decision Williams v. Salt Springs Resort Association, Inc., Case No. 5D18-3913 (Fla. 5th DCA, June 12, 2020), Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal receded from its own longstanding precedent in holding that condominium assessments may be considered “debts” within the meaning of Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act, Chapter 559, Florida Statutes (“FCCPA”).
On April 2, 2020, Governor DeSantis executed Executive Order 20-94 suspending mortgage foreclosures and residential evictions for non-payment of rent for 45 days from the date of the Order, including any extensions. Additionally, properties with federally backed mortgages have additional restrictions for mortgage foreclosures and evictions as set forth in the CARES Act executed by
The collection of consumer debts is regulated both by the federal law under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (the “FDCPA”), and state law under the Florida Consumer Collections Practices Act (the “FCCPA”). The FDCPA and the FCCPA are not identical, but the FCCPA specifically acknowledges the continued applicability of the FDCPA. This means coming
In today’s lien foreclosure market, most community associations benefit from competitive bidding at their lien foreclosure sale. Since the great recession a cottage industry sprouted of investors competitively bidding at these sales. Investors then renovate the properties and rent them until the mortgagee completes its own foreclosure action. This is generally a win/win situation as
The First District Court of Appeal decision in Coastal Creek Condominium Association, Inc. v Fla Trust Services, LLC, Case No. 1D18-1457 (Fla. 1st DCA, July 16, 2019) addressed whether a current condominium unit owner is jointly and severally liable for delinquent assessments accruing during the ownership of a remote owner. Having found that the joint
After the foreclosure of a mortgage that results in payment of funds in excess of the judgment amount, junior lienholders may file claims asserting rights to the surplus funds. The process for asserting a claim to surplus proceeds following a judicial sale is found in section 45.031, Florida Statute. The statute requires that a claim
The ability to collect interest for delinquent assessments is found in a community associations governing documents and is also recognized in Fl. Stat. Chapters 718 for condominium associations and 720 for homeowner associations. Specifically, section 718.116(3), Florida Statutes for condominium associations provides in part that unpaid assessments shall bear interest from the due date until
