Tag: Florida

Honolulu Condo fire stirs controversy over sprinkler retrofits

July 18, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Fire fighters in Hawaii and other states say that fire sprinklers would have prevented loss of life and property in the recent fire at Marco Polo highrise condominium in Honolulu. Unfortunately, the fire that started on the 26th floor resulted in three fatalities, at least a dozen people injured, … More Honolulu Condo fire stirs controversy over sprinkler retrofits

FL DBPR doubles down on requirements for new Poinciana elections

July 13, 2017

Order for new elections has been amended in favor of homeowner Martin Negron.   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Following events in Poinciana, Florida, one of America’s largest homeowners associations, it is encouraging to see that the tide is turning – finally, state agencies are beginning to acknowledge the assault on private property … More FL DBPR doubles down on requirements for new Poinciana elections

Condo industry investors unhappy about new consumer protections

July 10, 2017

New Florida statutes make it more difficult to force condo termination and apartment conversions upon unwilling owners By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Part of the mission here at IAC is to educate housing consumers by exposing the true agenda of the real estate industry. Hint: it is not to serve the needs of … More Condo industry investors unhappy about new consumer protections

Poinciana 2017 HOA election ruled invalid by State

June 25, 2017

FL Division of Business and Professional Regulation orders new Village elections in August. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   The Orlando Sentinel reports that a homeowner has prevailed in an election dispute with Association of Poinciana Villages in an Arbitration ruling last week. The ruling represents a victory for homeowners, and a step toward … More Poinciana 2017 HOA election ruled invalid by State

Poinciana owners say developer cast thousands of invalid votes in HOA election

June 19, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Conflicts over who should control Poinciana, one of Florida’s largest homeowners associations with 26,000 homes, have been ongoing for years. At the heart of the matter is the fact that the 44 year old planned community – a Census designate place near Orlando – remains primarily under the control … More Poinciana owners say developer cast thousands of invalid votes in HOA election

FL Legislature passes condo bill including criminal penalties

May 1, 2017

HB 1237 substituted for SB 1682, passes Senate unanimously. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Updated 7:45 PM Despite strong opposition by indsutry trade group Community Associations Institute and at least one member of the Florida Bar, the Legislature in the Sunshine State managed to pass HB 1237 this afternoon. Reference: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/01237/?Tab=BillHistory The bill makes … More FL Legislature passes condo bill including criminal penalties

HOA Legislation updates – March 2017 (CO and FL)

March 29, 2017

by Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Colorado Construction Defects debate heats up, but is compromise possible? A new compromise bill has been introduced in the House, in the hopes that Colorado legislators can finally address the state’s highly controversial construction defect laws pertaining to common interest, association-governed communities. In past blogs, I have criticized the … More HOA Legislation updates – March 2017 (CO and FL)

Florida condo bills address Grand Jury report and condo terminations

March 13, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities In Florida, more than a dozen bills related to Association Governed Communities have been submitted for consideration this Legislative session. I highlighted a few of them in an earlier blog.  But on the heels of the recent Miami-Dade Grand Jury report, blasting the Department of Business and Professional Regulation … More Florida condo bills address Grand Jury report and condo terminations

HOA Justice is elusive without enforcement of laws and high ethical standards

February 25, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Things are really heating up in Florida, and it’s not just because of the weather. A recent Miami-Dade Grand Jury report blasts the Department of Professional and Business Judgment (DBPR) for its failure to address an epidemic of corruption and dysfunction in condominium associations in the Sunshine State. … More HOA Justice is elusive without enforcement of laws and high ethical standards

Family loses $270K home over $150 missed HOA payment (FL)

February 24, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities I’ve been following this story for months. Kudos to Kendra Conlon and WTSP for reporting on HOA foreclosure injustice in Florida. There’s definitely something very wrong with our social values when we allow our legal system to take away a family’s home and 11 years’ worth of equity, all … More Family loses $270K home over $150 missed HOA payment (FL)