1200 Park Central Blvd. South, Pompano Beach, FL 33064
9121 North Military Trail, Suite 200, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
855 E SR 434., Suite 2209, Winter Springs (Orlando area), FL 32708
1211 North Westshore Blvd., Suite 409 Tampa, FL 33607
Offices in Miami-Dade (by appointment)
Reach any office: 800.974.0680

1200 Park Central Blvd. S., Pompano Bch, FL 33064
9121 N. Military Trail, Ste. 200, Palm Bch Gdns, FL 33410
855 E SR 434., Suite 2209, Winter Springs (Orlando area), FL 32708
1211 N. Westshore Blvd., Ste. 409, Tampa, FL 33607
Offices in Miami-Dade (by appointment)
Reach any office: 800.974.0680

Adopting Electronic Voting in Florida

Rembaum’s Association Roundup | Jeffrey A. Rembaum, Esq., BCS | Visit HERE

The Statutory Similarities and Differences Applicable to Condominium, Cooperative and Homeowners’ Associations

Electronic voting continues to become an increasingly attractive option for community associations. The benefits of electronic voting are many and include the following: (i) allowing members to cast their votes from an electronic device anywhere with an internet connection; (ii) helping associations achieve quorum requirements because an electronic vote counts as the member being in attendance at the meeting; (iii) automating the counting and collection of votes thereby reducing the potential for errors associated with manual counting ballots; and (iv) saving associations money by reducing costs associated with the cost of printing and mailing of paper ballots and associated paperwork.

Despite the many benefits of electronic voting, many associations still insist on voting the old-fashioned way and are reluctant to adopt electronic voting. However, as further discussed below, adopting electronic voting is not a complicated endeavor.

So, how can an association adopt electronic voting? In short, at a properly noticed board meeting, the board of directors (the board) of the association must…

Read the full article HERE

Cameras in Community Associations – Somebody’s Watching Me! | October 28, 2025

*Read Before Viewing* | This recorded video WILL NOT satisfy Florida state certification requirements for Board Members, NOR will this recorded version offer CEUs for CAMS or Board Members. It is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered as legal advice. Should you have any questions, contact your association counsel.

Led by attorney Alan Schwartzseid, BCS. Co-hosted with GRS Community Management, and Courtney Buchan, CAM in attendance.
 
Cameras (including drones) have become prevalent in Florida community associations, especially after the Florida legislature adopted statutes protecting multi-family communities from certain negligent security claims if cameras (among other proactive measures) are added. Lack of understanding regarding the limitations of this protection, the legal requirements and prohibitions pertaining to video and audio recording in Florida law community associations, and various other aspects of those recordings, can be severely damaging to community associations. Participants in this course will learn about common pitfalls in installation, maintenance, and monitoring of cameras in community associations.

Guest Restrictions & Screening Tenants and New Owners | Is It Worthwhile? | October 14, 2025

*Read Before Viewing* | This recorded video WILL NOT satisfy Florida state certification requirements for Board Members, NOR will this recorded version offer CEUs for CAMS or Board Members. It is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered as legal advice. Should you have any questions, contact your association counsel.

This webinar addresses the authority to review and approve tenants and owners, including issues related to transfer fees/security deposits, potential “good cause” to deny an applicant, restricting guest occupancy, and common pitfalls in the “screening” process. Instructors: Charles Nix, Esq. & Alan Schwartzseid, Esq. BCS.

The Pre-Suit Mediation Process | Friend or Foe?

Rembaum’s Association Roundup | Jeffrey A. Rembaum, Esq., BCS | Visit HERE

Overall, the often statutorily required pre-suit mediation process governed by §720.311, Fla. Stat., can potentially save a community association tens of thousands of dollars by providing an opportunity to resolve the dispute prior to litigation. In fact, a great many disputes resolve themselves at this stage, but not all disputes are subject to the pre-suit mediation requirements. Sometimes opting to use the process is voluntary, and sometimes it is mandatory. Condominium, homeowners’, and arguably cooperative associations can all take advantage of the pre-suit mediation process described in §720.311, Fla. Stat., though there are a few noticeable differences.

As per §720.311, Fla. Stat., election and recall disputes are not eligible for pre-suit mediation. This is because those disputes must be resolved via arbitration by the DBPR Division of Florida Condominium, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes—Arbitration Section or filed in a local court of competent jurisdiction. Other HOA disputes for which the pre-suit mediation process is not required include collection of any assessment, fine, or other financial obligation, including attorneys’ fees and costs, claimed to be due or any action to enforce a prior mediation settlement agreement between the parties.

Regarding HOA disputes that must follow the pre-suit mediation process before the dispute is filed in court, the aggrieved party must follow the pre-suit mediation when the dispute meets one of the following criteria:

Read the full article HERE

HOA Financial Literacy & Transparency | Recorded October 3, 2025

*Read Before Viewing* | This recorded video WILL NOT satisfy Florida state certification requirements for Board Members, NOR will this recorded version offer CEUs for CAMS or Board Members. It is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered as legal advice. Should you have any questions, contact your association counsel.

A comprehensive view of the statutory requirements for financial operations and financial transparency. At the end of the course the students will be able to demonstrate (a) their obligations to maintain and allow access to financial records, (b) year-end financial reporting requirements, (c) restrictions against use of debit cards and criminal penalties for improper use, (d) requirements to furnish parcel owners with an accounting upon request, (e) budgeting and collection of assessments, (f) criminal penalties for kickbacks and other wrongful acts, and (g) conflict disclosures. Led by attorney Kerstin Henze.

Elections for Community Associations | Recorded September 24, 2025

*Read Before Viewing* | This recorded video WILL NOT satisfy Florida state certification requirements for Board Members, NOR will this recorded version offer CEUs for CAMS or Board Members. It is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered as legal advice. Should you have any questions, contact your association counsel.

Led by attorney Kerstin Henze. Co-hosted by Rizzetta & Company. Learn about about election law and procedures for condominiums, cooperatives and homeowners’ associations, including eligibility requirements and terms of directors, best practices for remote meetings, vacancies between elections, and election disputes. The panel will also cover the requirements and procedures necessary for properly conducting electronic voting (with Frank Valdes of GetQuorum).

Navigating the FFHA – Assistance Animal or Pet? | Recorded September 18, 2025

*Read Before Viewing* | This recorded video WILL NOT satisfy Florida state certification requirements for Board Members, NOR will this recorded version offer CEUs for CAMS or Board Members. It is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered as legal advice. Should you have any questions, contact your association counsel.

Led by attorneys Charles Nix and Alan Schwartzseid, BCS. Learn about HUD regulations and Florida Legislation pertaining to assistance animals, as well as common issues concerning assistance animals and addressing requests by residents for reasonable accommodations. Co-hosted by GRS Community Management.

Construction Defects | From the Frying Pan into the Fire

Rembaum’s Association Roundup | Jeffrey A. Rembaum, Esq., BCS | Visit HERE

At times the law can be quite cruel. A recent appellate case from Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal, Vuletic Group LLC d/b/a Concept Construction v. Malkin, Case No. 4D2024-1589 (Fla. 4th DCA July 16, 2025), reminds us all of this salient fact.

In Vuletic Group, the parties contracted with one another in 2018 for a house remodeling project. Around November 2019, the homeowners terminated the contract and stopped paying the contractor. As a result, the contractor sued the homeowners for nonpayment. The homeowners then made a counterclaim against the contractor for breach of contract and construction defects. In the counterclaim the homeowners alleged that the contractor breached its contract by failing to supervise, coordinate, schedule, and/or manage a significant number of subcontractors and vendors working on the renovation project which ultimately led to multiple construction defects and deficiencies.

In January 2023 a bench trial (a non-jury trial) was held during which the homeowners presented expert testimony regarding the anticipated costs to repair and remedy all the issues allegedly caused by the contractor’s breach of contract, amounting to $414,372 in damages. Ultimately, the trial court ruled in favor of the homeowners and awarded them damages in the amount of $499,250, which also included pre-judgment interest. After the trial court’s ruling,

Read the full article HERE

Association Leadership: S6, E11 | Cyber-Security

Castle Group hosts Season 6, Episode 11 of Association Leadership: Cyber-Security

The webinar was moderated by Craig Vaughan, Castle Group, and includes  Michael Bender, Esq. BCS and Jeffrey A. Rembaum, Esq. BCS of Kaye Bender Rembaum.

Note: Viewing this video will not satisfy any Florida State requirement for CAMs or Board Members. This is strictly informational and for review.

Covenant Enforceability for HOAs and Condominiums | Recorded August 27, 2025

*Read Before Viewing* | This recorded video WILL NOT satisfy Florida state certification requirements for Board Members, NOR will this recorded version offer CEUs for CAMS or Board Members. It is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered as legal advice. Should you have any questions, contact your association counsel.

We discuss steps and suggestions your community association should consider and/or implement to help ensure your projects, from planning to completion, flow smoothly and with minimal financial loss. Led by Christopher Posner, Esq. of Kaye Bender Rembaum, P.L. Hosted by ACE (Association Community Education).