In 2009, during the peak of the financial crisis, the US Congress enacted the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (“PTFA”), which required the party taking title at a foreclosure sale to provide bona fide tenants with a notice 90 days before requiring them to vacate the property and allowed the tenants with leases to occupy
Communities and local municipalities appear to be losing the battle in Tallahassee against the powerful lobbying efforts of the home sharing companies over the power to control transient rentals in residential neighborhoods.
The Florida Legislature in 2011 passed Fla. Stat. §509.032(7)(b) restricting any city or county from prohibiting, or regulating the duration or frequency of short-term
Many condominium associations have restrictions limiting an owner’s ability to lease their property. These provisions are intended to preserve property values and protect unit owner quality of life.
However, such restrictions may limit financing options for prospective purchasers. Recently the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) clarified whether certain leasing restrictions within a
Florida’s 2017 legislative session is well under way and we are already seeing a slew of bills directed at community associations. One bill in particular should alarm anyone working with or serving on condominium association boards of directors. Senate Bill 1682, filed by Senator Rene Garcia, proposes numerous changes to how condominium associations are governed
Last month, Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeals issued yet another opinion in Mackenzie v. Centex Homes, by Centex Real Estate Corp., Case No. 5D16-1254 (Fla. 5th DCA, December 22, 2016) reinforcing that a developer is obligated to contribute money to an association’s statutory reserve accounts prior to turnover, even when the developer has chosen
Online third-party rentals have become quite popular in recent years. Many unit owners see these companies as an opportunity to bring in additional income by renting out their unit on a short-term basis, sometimes even just for a weekend.
Most condominium communities do not want short-term rentals of units. Short-term rentals can reduce property values, impair
On September 13, 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) released final regulations that change how the Federal Fair Housing Act (“Act”) is applied to quid pro quo and hostile environment housing claims within community associations. The new rules, some of which went into effect on October 14, 2016, affect what community
In a highly anticipated ruling, the Florida Supreme Court has finally settled the issue of whether the statute of limitations bars a lender from foreclosing a mortgage more than five years in default. In Bartram v U.S. Bank National Association, Case No. SC14-1265, (Fla. November 3, 2016), the high Court was deciding whether to uphold
Hoarding is becoming an increasingly common disorder that carries serious consequences for the afflicted, their family, and neighbors. Hoarding has the potential to attract rodents, create fire hazards, and can threaten the health of occupants. While hoarding is dangerous for anyone, it is especially problematic for condominium associations where residents live so close together. Rather
Recent assessment disputes between condominium associations and unit owners has resulted in a clarification of a Florida law. The clarification changes the way that acceptance of money intended to be accord and satisfaction is understood by the court in the condominium context.
As background, in March 2012, a unit managed by the St. Croix at Pelican
