Specificity prevails over tired boilerplate.
Attorneys’ fees incurred performing appellate work will not be awarded to the prevailing party if the contract or document forming the basis for an attorneys’ fee award does not provide for appellate attorney’s fees.
Regardless of whether the sender intended to target Florida residents, an email sent to a group, some of whose members are residents of Florida, confers long arm jurisdiction under Fla. Stat. § 48.193 (1)(b). In turn, a Florida resident can file a lawsuit against the sender of the e-mail in Florida. Price v. Kronenberger, — So.3d —-, 2009 WL 5150236 (Fla. 5th DCA 2009).
Gerstin & Associates is available for all of your commercial title insurance needs. From development, construction, refinancing or purchasing our experienced attorneys will quickly and efficiently close your commercial real estate transaction. Contact Joshua Gerstin, Esq. (561) 750-3456 to discuss your commercial real estate title insurance needs.
Below is an updated 2011 Real Estate Dictionary to use a reference tool.
Accretion — The slow build-up of lands by natural forces such as wind or water.
Acknowledgment — The act by which a party executing a legal document goes before an authorized officer or notary public and declares the same to be his or her voluntary act and deed.
Acre — A tract of land 208.71 feet square and containing 43,560 square feet of land.
Administrator — A person appointed by a probate court to settle the affairs of an individual dying without a will. The term is “administratrix” if such a person is a woman.
Adverse Possession — A claim made against the lands of another by virtue of open and notorious possession of said lands by the claimant.
Affidavit — A sworn statement in writing.
Agent — A person or company that has the power to act on behalf of another or to transact business for another, e.g., a title agent under contract with Old Republic Title to issue policies of title insurance.
Air Rights — The right to ownership of everything above the physical surface of the land.
ALTA — American Land Title Association, a national association of title insurance companies, abstractors and attorneys specializing in real property law. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
Appurtenance — Anything so annexed to land or used with it that it will pass with the conveyance of the land.
ARM — Adjustable Rate Mortgage. See “Variable Rate Mortgage.”
Assessment — The imposition of a tax, charge or levy, usually according to established rates.
Assessor — A public official who evaluates property for the purpose of taxation.
Assignee — One to whom a transfer of interest is made. For example, the assignee of a mortgage or contract.
Assignor — One who makes an assignment. For example, the assignor of a mortgage or contract.
Assumable Mortgage — A mortgage which, by its terms, allows a new owner to take over its obligations.
Attachment —Legal seizure of property to force payment of a debt.
Attorney in Fact — One who holds a power of attorney from another allowing him or her to execute legal documents such as deeds, mortgages, etc., on behalf of the grantor of the power.
– B –
Balloon Mortgage — A mortgage that is amortized over a specific period of years, but requires a lump sum payment in full at an earlier date.
Bankruptcy — A federal court proceeding in which debtors are relieved of liability for their debts after surrender of their assets to a court appointed trustee .
Bureau of Land Management — The branch of government in charge of surveying and managing public lands.
– C –
C & R ’ s — Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions.
See “Conditions and Restrictions .”
Chain — A term of land measurement that is 66 feet in length.
Chain of Title — A term applied to the past series of transactions and documents affecting the title to a particular parcel of land.
Clear Title — One which is not encumbered or burdened with defects.
Closing — Also known as “escrow” or “settlement.” The process of executing legally binding documents, such as deeds and mortgages most commonly associated with the purchase of real estate and the borrowing of money to assist in the purchase .
Clouded Title — An encumbered title.
Commitment to Insure — A report issued by a title insurance company, or its agent, committing the title insurance company to issue the form of policy designated in the commitment upon compliance with and satisfaction of requirements set forth in the commitment.
Common Interest Community (CIC) — Ownership characterized by mutual ownership of common areas, either jointly or through membership in an association, e.g., condominiums, planned unit developments, and townhomes.
Company Loan — Loan by employer to facilitate relocation of employee. Usually short term .
Condemnation — Taking private property for public use through court proceedings .
Condition or Conditions — A proviso in a deed or will that, upon the happening or failure to happen of a certain event, limits, enlarges, changes or terminates the title of the purchaser or devisee.
Conditions and Restrictions — A common term used to designate conditions and restrictions on the use of land. Includes penalties for failure to comply. Commonly used by land subdividers on newly platted areas.
Condominium — A system of individual fee ownership of units in a multi-unit structure, combined with joint ownership of common areas of the structure and land.
Conservator — See “Guardian . ”
Contract for Deed — An agreement to sell and purchase under which title is held as security by the seller until such time as the required payments to the seller have been completed.
Convey — The act of deeding or transferring title to another.
Conveyance — An instrument by which title is transferred; a deed. Also, the act of transferring title.
Cooperative — A residential multi-unit building owned by a corporation in which each unit is occupied by a member of the corporation pursuant to a lease or occupancy agreement .
Covenant — An agreement written into deeds and other instruments promising performance or non-performance of certain acts, or stipulating certain uses or non-uses of the property.
Cul-de-Sac — The terminus of a street or alley. Usually laid out by modern engineers to provide a circular turn around for vehicles.
– D –
Deed — A written document by which the ownership of land is transferred from one person to another.
Deed of Trust — See ” Mortgage.”
Delivery — The final and absolute transfer of a deed from seller to buyer in such a manner that it cannot be recalled by the seller. A necessary requisite to the transfer of title.
Devise — The disposition of real property by will.
Due on Sale Clause — Provision in a mortgage or deed of trust which requires loan to be paid in full if property is sold or transferred.
– E –
Earnest Money — Advance payment of part of the purchase price to bind a contract for property.
Easement — An interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited use, such as laying a sewer, putting up electric power lines, or crossing the property.
Egress — The right to leave a tract of land. Often used interchangeably with “access.”
Eminent Domain — The power of the state to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation.
Encroachment — A trespass or intrusion onto another’s property, usually by a structure, wall or fence.
Encumber — To burden a parcel of land with a lien or charge, e.g., a mortgage.
Encumbrance — A lien, liability or charge upon a parcel of land.
Escheat — A reversion of property to the state in those cases where an individual dies without heirs or devisees, and, in some states, without a will.
Escrow — A pro c e d u re whereby a disinterested third party handles legal documents and funds on behalf of a seller and buyer, and delivers them upon performance by the parties.
Estate — A person’s possessions. The extent of a person’s interest in real property.
Examination of Title — The investigation and interpretation of the record title to real property based on the title search or abstract.
Exception — In legal descriptions, that portion of land to be deleted or excluded. The term often is used in a different sense to mean an objection to title or encumbrance on title.
Executor — A person appointed by the probate court to carry out the terms of a will. The term is “executrix” if that person is a woman.
Extended Mortgage — One in which the due date of a mortgage is extended for a longer period, often at a higher interest rate than the original mortgage.
– F –
Fannie Mae — Federal National Mortgage Association (also FNMA) is a private corporation, federally chart e re d to provide financial products and services that increase the availability and affordability of housing by purchasing mortgage loans.
Fee Simple Estate — The greatest interest in a parcel of land that it is possible to own. Sometimes designated simply as “Fee.”
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Guarantee — An insurance contract in which HUD through FHA insures that the named lender will recover a specific percentage of the loan amount from the insurer (FHA) in the event that the loan goes bad.
Financing Statement — A document filed with the Register of Deeds or Secretary of State securing the title to personal property.
Fixtures — Any item of property so attached to real property that it becomes a part of the real property.
Flood Certification — A common term for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form (SFHDF). This determines whether land or a building is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area for purposes of flood insurance requirements under the National Flood Insurance Pro g r a m .
Forfeiture of Title — Provision in a deed creating a condition which will cause title to be passed to another should certain circumstances occur.
Freddie Mac — Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (also FHLMC) is a stockholder owned corporation chartered by Congress that purchases mortgage loans.
– G –
Ginnie Mae — Government National Mortgage Association (also GNMA) is a wholly-owned United States corporation that guarantees privately issued securities backed by pools of mortgages insured by FHA (Federal Housing Administration), FMHA (Farm e r s Home Administration) or VA (Veterans Administration).
Graduated Payment Mortgage — A loan in which monthly payments are relatively small in the beginning and gradually increase in dollar amount over the life of the mortgage.
Grantee — A person who acquires an interest in land by deed, grant, or other written instrument.
Grantor — A person, who, by a written instrument , transfers to another an interest in land.
Guardian — One appointed by the court to administer the affairs of an individual not capable of administering his or her own affairs.
– H –
Harbor Line — An arbitrary line set by authorities on navigable rivers, beyond which wharves and other structures may not be built. Also designated as line of navigation.
Heir — One who might inherit or succeed to an interest in land of an individual who dies without leaving a will (intestate).
Hiatus — A gap or space unintentionally left, when attempting to describe adjoining parcels of land.
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage — A reverse or reverse annuity mortgage in which HUD through FHA guarantees that the borrower will receive monthly payments from the insurer (FHA) in the event the lender is unable to make payments to the borrower.
Home Repair Loan — Used for repairs and additions to existing structures without affecting existing mort g a g e . Typically 10 years or less in length.
HUD 1 — A form settlement (closing) statement required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where federally related mortgages are being made on residential properties. It is a balance sheet showing the source of funds and the distribution of funds in connection with the purchase and/or mortgaging of residential property.
– I –
Improvements — Those additions to raw lands tending to
Inchoate Dower — The imperfect interest which the law gives a wife in the lands of her husband. This is an interest which upon the death of the husband may ripen into possession and use. Most states have abolished dower rights.
Inchoate Curtesy — The imperfect interest which the law gives a husband in the lands of his wife. This is an
Indemnify — To make payment for a loss.
Ingress — The right to enter a tract of land. Often used
Insurance — A contract of indemnity against specified perils.
Insurance Loan — When cash value of a life insurance policy is borrowed by the insured.
Interim Financing — Temporary or short term loans. Often used with new construction. Usually replaced with a permanent long-term mortgage.
Intestate — Designates the estate or condition of failing to leave a will at death. “To die intestate.”
– J –
Joint Tenancy — An estate where two or more persons hold real estate jointly for life, the survivors to take the
Judgment — A decree of a court. In practice this is the lien or charge upon the lands of a debtor resulting from the Court ’s award of money to a creditor.
See “Judgment Lien.”
Judgment Docket — The record book of a County Clerk where a judgment is entered in order that it may become a lien upon the property of the debtor.
Judgment Lien — The charge upon the lands of a debtor resulting from the decree of a court properly entered into the judgment docket.
– K –
There are no items in this category.
– L –
Land Contract — See “Contract for Deed .”
Landmark — Any conspicuous object that helps establish land boundaries.
Lease — A grant of the use of lands for a term of years in consideration of the payment of a monthly or annual rental.
Lender’s Policy — A form of title insurance policy which insures the validity, enforceability and priority of a lender’s lien. This form does not provide protection for the owner.
Lessee — One who takes lands upon a lease.
Lessor — One who grants lands under a lease.
Lien — A hold, claim, or charge allowed a creditor upon the lands of a debtor. Some examples are mortgage liens, judgment liens, mechanics’ liens.
Life Estate — A grant or reservation of the right of use, occupancy and ownership for the life of an individual.
Link — A term of land measurement being 1/100th of a chain or 66/100ths of a foot.
Lis Pendens — A notice recorded in the official records of a county to indicate that a suit is pending affecting the lands where the notice is recorded.
Loan Policy — See ” Lender’s Policy .”
Loss Payable Clause — Provision added to a Fire and Casualty Policy which says any loss will be paid to two or more parties as their interest may appear. Usually the owner and the mortgage lender.
Lot — A part of a subdivision or block having fixed boundaries ascertainable by reference to a plat or survey.
– M –
Majority — The age at which a person is entitled to handle his or her own affairs.
Marketable Title — A good title about which there is no fair or reasonable doubt.
Mechanic’s Lien — A lien allowed by statute to contractors, laborers and material suppliers on buildings or other structures upon which work has been performed or materials supplied.
Metes and Bounds — A description of land by courses and distances.
Minor — One who because of insufficient age or status is legally incapable of making contracts.
Monument of Survey — Visible marks or indications left on natural or other objects indicating the lines and boundaries of a survey. May be posts, pillars, stones, cairns, and other such objects. May also be fixed natural objects, blazed trees, roads and even a water course.
Mortgage —An instrument used to encumber land as security for a debt.
Mortgage-Backed Security — A security evidencing either the ownership of an interest in a mortgage loan or pools of mortgage loans, or a separate obligation secured by a mortgage loan or pool of mortgage loans.
Mortgage Banker — A specialized lending institution that lends money solely with respect to real estate and secures its loans with mortgages on the real estate.
Mortgage Broker — A person or company that buys and sells mortgages for another on commission or who arranges for and negotiates mortgage contracts.
Mortgage Revenue Bonds — Issued by communities as a means of providing lower cost mortgage funds to certain qualified borrowers.
Mortgagee — The mortgage lender.
Mortgagee’s Policy — See “Lender’s Policy .”
Mortgagor — The mortgage borrower.
– N –
Negative Amortization — An actual increase in the principal amount of real estate loan because of the addition of matured but unpaid interest to the loan balance. Usually the result of monthly payments which a re temporarily set at a lower than needed level.
Notary — One authorized to take acknowledgments.
See “Acknowledgment.”
Note — The instrument evidencing the indebtedness secured by a security instrument such as a mortgage or deed of trust.
– O –
Owner’s Policy — A policy of title insurance which
Ownership — The right to possess and use property to the exclusion of others.
– P –
Patent — A document or grant by which the federal or state government originally transferred title to public lands to an individual. The first in the series of transfers by which title comes down to present owners.
Personal Representative — A person appointed by the probate court to administer a decedent’s estate.
See also “Executor” or “Administrator.”
Plat or Plot — A map representing a piece of land subdivided into lots with streets shown there on.
P.M.I. — Private Mortgage Insurance. An insurance contract which insures that the named lender will re cover a specific percentage of the loan amount from the insurer in the event the loan goes bad. Many lenders require this on higher percentage loans.
Points — A one-time special fee or extra charge paid to a lender in order to secure a loan. Expressed as a percentage of face amount of mortgage.
Policy — A written contract of title insurance.
Policyowner — The insured on a title insurance policy.
Power of Attorney — An instrument authorizing another to act on one’s behalf as his or her agent or attorney.
Power of Sale — A clause in a will, mortgage, deed of trust or trust agreement authorizing the sale or transfer of land in accordance with the terms of the clause.
Prorate — To allocate between seller and buyer their proportionate share of an obligation paid or due. For example, a proration of real property taxes or fire insurance premiums.
– Q –
Quiet Title — An action in a proper Court to remove record defects or possible claims of other parties named in the action.
– R –
Range — A part of the government survey, being a strip of land six miles in width, and numbered east or west of the principal meridian.
Real Property — Land, together with fixtures, improvements and appurtenances.
Realtor® —A federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors ® a n d subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Realty — A brief term for real property.
Redeem — Literally “to buy back.” The act of buying back lands after a mortgage foreclosure, tax foreclosure, or other execution sale.
Registered Land — See ” Torrens Ti t l e .”
Reinsurance — To insure again by transferring to another insurance company all or part of an assumed liability, thus spreading the loss risk any one company has to carry.
REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust. A product of federal tax legislation formed as a business trust, under a special state REIT statute or as a corporation for the purpose of investing in real estate or mortgages on real estate.
REMIC — Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit. A product of 1986 federal tax legislation in which a business entity such as a corporation, partnership, or trust in which substantially all of the assets consist of qualified mortgages and permitted investments, elects to be treated as a REMIC. Qualification avoids treatment as a corporation for tax purposes.
Reverse or Reverse Annuity Mortgage — A mortgage for which the borrower pledges home equity in return for regular (monthly) payments, rather than a lump sum distribution of loan proceeds. Repayment is usually not required until the home is sold or the borrower’s estate is settled, provided the borrower continues to live in the home and keeps current all taxes and insurance.
See also “Home Equity Conversion Mortgage.”
Right – of – Way — The right which one has to pass across the lands of another. An easement.
Riparian — Rights to use of water and waterways in adjoining lakes or rivers.
– S –
Second Mortgage — A second loan on real estate that a l ready has a mortgage. It is subordinate to the first mortgage. Usually of shorter term and often at a higher interest rate.
Section or Section of Land — A parcel of land comprising one square mile or 640 acres.
Set Back Lines — Those lines which delineate the required distances for the location of structures in relation to the perimeter of the property.
Sub-surface Right — The right of ownership to things lying beneath the physical surface of the property.
Survey — The process of measuring land to determine its size, location and physical description and the resulting drawing or map.
– T –
Tenancy by the Entirety — Ownership by married persons where each owns the entire estate, with the survivor taking the whole upon the other’s death.
Tenancy in Common — An estate or interest in land held by two or more persons, each having equal rights of possession and enjoyment, but without any right of succession by survivorship between the owners.
Tenant — Any person occupying real property with the owner’s permission.
Testament — Another term for a will. Commonly referred to as “last will and testament.”
Testate — The estate or condition of leaving a will at death. “To die testate.”
Testator — A man who makes or has made a testament or will.
Testatrix — A woman who makes or has made a testament or will.
Title — The evidence of right which a person has to the ownership and possession of land. Commonly considered as a history of rights.
Title Defect — Any legal right held by others to claim property or to make demands upon the owner.
Title Insurance — Insurance against loss or damage resulting from defects or failure of title to a particular parcel of real property.
Title Plant — The total facilities — records, equipment, fixtures, and personnel — required to function as a title insurance operation. Technically, the organization of official records affecting real property into a system which allows quick and efficient recovery of title information.
Title Search — An examination of public records, laws, and court decisions to disclose the current facts regarding ownership of real estate.
Torrens Title — A system whereby, after court proceedings, a certificate is issued setting forth the extent of the applicant’s estate in land subject to the exceptions shown. Most popular in the early 1900’s, the system was adopted in 19 states. It is presently used only in parts of six states.
Township — A division of territory six miles square, containing 36 sections or 36 square miles.
Tract — A particular parcel of land.
Trust — A property right held by one as a fiduciary for the benefit of another.
Trustee — A person holding property in trust as a fiduciary for the benefit of another.
– U –
There are no items in this category.
– V –
VA Guarantee — An insurance contract in which the Veterans Administration (VA) insures that the named lender will recover a specific percentage of the loan amount from the insurer in the event the loan goes bad.
Variable Rate Mortgage — A loan in which the interest rate fluctuates with the cost of funds or some other index.
Vendee — A purchaser of real property under land contract.
Vendor — A seller of real property under land contract.
Vest — To pass to a person an immediate right or interest. Title may be said to vest in John Smith.
Vestee — A nonlegal term used by title insurers to indicate the owner of real property in a policy or report.
– W –
Warranty — A promise by the grantor of real property that he or she is the owner and will be responsible to the buyer if title is other than as represented.
Will —A written document providing for the distribution of property owned by a person after his or her death.
– X –
There are no items in this category.
– Y –
There are no items in this category.
– Z –
Zoning — The right of a municipality to regulate and determine the compatible character and use of property.
– Note –
The terms contained in this booklet are defined in their most commonly used form. Should more precise interpretations of these terms be necessary, we advise you to seek the counsel of an attorney.
Did Florida’s Supreme Court render laws governing condominium and homeowner association declarations useless and unenforceable?
Florida’s community associations across the state are becoming increasingly concerned the legislature can no longer pass laws that affect Florida’s condominium and homeowner associations after the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Cohn v. Grand. Florida’s community associations should be concerned and need to take action, but as explained below all hope is far from lost.
The Facts:
1. The Grand was a condo hotel.
2. When owner Cohn purchased a unit the Grand the Declaration stated “unit owners would governed by the “the Condominium Act of the State of Florida in effect as of the date of recording this Declaration.”
3. The Declaration did not include the phrase, “as amended from time to time.”
4. The dispute specifically arose as to whether the unit owners are afforded voting rights in accordance with the Condominium Act in effect at the time the Declaration was recorded or were said voting rights altered over time by each amendment made to legislation relating to condominium associations and in particular voting.
The Legal Argument:
Unit owners’ contractual rights, defined by the terms of the Florida Condominium Act (“Act”) at a fixed point in time, do not vary when changes to the Act are made because the term “as amended from time to time” was not included in the Declaration.
Florida Law Applied to the Facts and the Legal Argument:
An overriding principle embedded in the Florida Constitution is that “state action” (legislation) that impairs a contract is unconstitutional. In determining whether legislation impairs a contract a three part test is used and the results are weighed and balanced:
1) To what extent are the contractual rights impaired;
2) Does the state have a good reason for enacting policy that changes contractual rights; and
3) Are the means the state will use to achieve this policy reasonable?
The issue in Grand related to owner voting which has long been considered a substantive right. As such, the Court gave greater weight to item # 1 above and less to item # 2.
The Court’s Decision:
The Florida Supreme Court held “The Constitution prohibits the impairment of contracts; and the statute regulating mixed-use condominiums (F.S. 718.404(2)) impaired the Grand’s unit owner’s contractual rights, which are established in the Grand’s declaration.” In other words, the law at the time the Declaration was recorded, not at the present time, was the law that applies to owners’ voting rights in the Grand.
Click here to read the Court’s full opinion
What This Means to Your Association:
The Grand decision should not be read as the end of legislative control over Florida community associations.. Surely, rules relating to enforcement of covenants would not be considered a substantive right that any legislative changes would be outweighed and nullified. Instead, each such case will be reviewed by the courts on a “case-by-case” basis, if the magic words “as amended from time to time” is not in the Declaration.
What to Do:
Check your community association’s Declaration and determine whether the drafter included the words “as amended from time to time” in relation to statutes that will be used to enforce and interpret the Declaration (Condo. Act or HOA Act.). If not, speak with your community association’s attorney and begin the process of amending your community association’s Declaration.
1. Three main types of community associations
a. Mandatory homeowner associations
b. Non mandatory homeowner associations
c. Condominium associations
2. Abandoned homes & association liability
a. Most liability cases relate to children trespassing in an abandoned home. However, other sources of liability are prevalent in Florida:
i. Open swimming pools, no pool fence and/or no outer fence
ii. Partial open construction
iii. Construction equipment on abandoned home premises
iv. Mold spreading to occupied dwellings (condo. and townhomes)
v. Unsecured holes on land
b. Florida law focuses primarily on landowner of property where an injury occurred. Same standards may apply to community associations.
i. Owner is liable for trespassers being hurt in two instances:
1. As to adults. . .owner knew of a danger that was hidden and failed to take reasonable safeguards.
2. As to children:
a. The home or premises contain a danger that may be obvious to adults but to a child the danger would not be appreciated.
b. Owners of abandoned homes are not optimal “targets” of lawsuits. Community associations are optimal targets.
3. Non Mandatory Homeowner Associations
a. If the subject home is not a member, liability rarely exists.
b. The lack of association control over common areas, maintenance of homes and the conduct of residents further support the absence of liability.
c. If the unincorporated association or a person undertakes a repair, it may be trespass.
d. Regardless of association status or if an individual undertakes a repair, if a repair is undertaken it must be done right.
4. Mandatory Homeowner Associations
a. Typically not the owner of the abandoned home or land but liability may still exist. Same standards as in 2(b) above.
b. Factors increasing liability
i. The homeowners’ association maintains and/or controls the front or back yard.
ii. The homeowners’ association controls all of the land leading up to the front or back of the home.
iii. The homeowners’ association controls certain aspects of construction such as when and how.
iv. Children living in the homeowners’ association.
v. Children are present near the association (adjoining a school).
vi. The association has undertaken similar safeguards with other homes.
vii. Is there an “attractive nuisance” or a hidden danger on an area that is traversed leading to the home and/or under the association’s control.
viii. Has the association undertaken any action with relation to safeguarding the home already.
c. Safeguards
i. Do not look for problems, typically it is unnecessary to enter an abandoned home.
ii. Once the homeowners’ association decides to act it must complete its act with diligence and responsibly. Therefore, consult your attorney to determine if action is necessary. Each instance is fact specific and not every instance of an abandoned home requires action.
iii. A broken fence adjoining association controlled land should be secured and properly marked as a danger.
iv. Obvious dangers such as open holes on the home’s premises or incomplete construction visible from the street should be secured.
v. Consider securing pools, contact both the owner and the bank, if no response. Depending on the situation, draining the pool could be dangerous.
vi. Have the association’s attorney diligently contact the bank and owner. The attorney should also track the foreclosure so the new owner can be notified immediately of the problems.
5. Condominiums
a. Condos. have the statutory right to enter a unit if the unit’s condition is posing a danger to the other units.
b. Condo. owners are required to abide by a condo. association’s request to maintain a copy of their key.
c. If an abandoned condominium presents a danger to the other units, residents and/or the general public who may not appreciate the danger, the unit should be secured.
1. The doors and windows should be locked.
2. Mail should be not be allowed to accumulate.
3. Contact the bank and the former owner to put them on notice of the need for power to the unit to stop mold from spreading.
4. The association’s lawyer should ensure the bank’s foreclosure process is moving timely .
5. Contact the bank or new owner after the foreclosure sale and inform them of the problems.
6. With a bank’s failure to respond or a slow foreclosure process, association’s need to consider having power supplied to the unit and then back billing a new unit owner or the bank.
6. Insurance
a. Each insurance policy is different, abandoned home liability typically not covered by E & O without a rider.
b. Policy review by attorney and insurance agent recommended.
___________________________________________________________________
Below is a list of some of the most frequently used official State of Florida websites and databases. These databases can save you and your business time and money by locating the information when you need it, fast. Bookmark this page so you refer back to it when needed.
The year 2011 interest rate established pursuant to Section 55.03, Florida Statutes, has been set at 6.0% per annum or .0001644 per day.
In Eagle’s Crest, LLC v. Republic Bank, — So.3d —-, 2010 WL 3059529 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010), the court held once an expert is “qualified” by a court the expert’s opinions are admissible despite their lack of credible conclusion or methodology. However, the conclusions and methodology are subject to scrutiny by the opposing party. A/K/A a field day for an attorney skilled in cross examinations. Read case here.
In the case of Singer v. Unibilt Development Co., — So.3d —-, 2010 WL 3056030 (Fla.5th DCA 2010), the Court held continuous and systematic contact with Florida is required but. . . such contact does not have to occur contemporaneously with the filing of the lawsuit. For businesses who no longer, but once did, business in the State of Florida, being hauled into Florida’s courts is a possibility. Read the case here.
There are a growing number of advocates who feel community association pet restrictions should be illegal. These groups have internet sites complete with “sample doctor’s notes” for use by those who want to get around pet restrictions they agreed to when they bought into their community association. Pet owners have been submitting “Medically Necessary” prescriptions for their pets in large numbers. Owners that purchased in the communities that promised through their Governing Documents to restrict pets, are threatening to sue. Wanting to do the right thing and fearful of intervention by a governmental agency or a lawsuit from both the pet owner(s) and their neighbors, Board members are starting to learn the ins and outs of this potential minefield to better serve all of the people involved.
Legal Background:
Although many people cite the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) as the basis for their “anti?pet restriction” position, the ADA does not apply to community associations because they are not places of public accommodation. The law that does apply to Florida’s community associations is the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (“Act”). This law prohibits discrimination on the basis of a “handicap”, which is broadly defined in the law to include most physical or mental maladies that impair a major life function. Florida has adopted the Act; therefore, references made to other Federal Court decisions from other states are binding on Florida. The Florida Committee on Human Relations and the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) enforce the Act.
The Act requires the association to make reasonable accommodations for disabled people to fully enjoy their premises. Such reasonable accommodations include, without a doubt, an association issuing a waiver of its pet restrictions. Recently, HUD updated (and although they deny it, I believe expanded) its regulations relating to the Act and animals that provide medically necessary support for their owner’s disabilities. Following are excerpts from public comments made by HUD in their public analysis of their updates to the ACT:
Under both the Fair Housing Act and Section 504, in order for a requested accommodation to qualify as a reasonable accommodation, the requester must have a disability, and the accommodation must be necessary to afford a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. To show that a requested accommodation may be necessary, there must be an identifiable relationship, or nexus, between the requested accommodation and the person’s disability. Thus, in the case of assistance/service animals, an individual with a disability must demonstrate a nexus between his or her disability and the function the service animal provides. The Department’s position has been that animals necessary as a reasonable accommodation do not necessarily need to have specialized training. Some animals perform tasks that require training, and others provide assistance that does not require training. (Emphasis added).
Housing providers are entitled to verify the existence of the disability, and the need for the accommodation—if either is not readily apparent. Accordingly, persons who are seeking a reasonable accommodation for an emotional support animal may be required to provide documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, social worker, or other mental health professional that the animal provides support that alleviates at least one of the identified symptoms or effects of the existing disability. (Emphasis added).. . .in order to qualify as a reasonable accommodation, the requester must have a disability, and there must be a relationship between the requested accommodation and that person’s disability. For example, the person with a disability who is requesting the assistance animal must demonstrate a disability–related need for the animal, such as service, or assistance, performing tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or providing emotional support that alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person’s disability. Examples of disability–related functions, include, but are not limited to, guiding individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds, providing rescue assistance, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items, alerting persons to impending seizures, or providing emotional support to persons with disabilities who have a disability–related need for such support. (Emphasis added). Based on the above guidance from HUD “each case brought to the association should be a fact–intensive, case specific determination”. Janush v. Charities Hous. Dev. Corp., 159 F. Supp. 2d 1133 (N.D. Cal. 2000); Majors v. Hous. Auth. of the County of DeKalb, Ga., 652 F.2d 454, 457– 58(5th Cir. 1981). Please note, in conducting an analysis of a possible waiver, the Board cannot share an owner’s submitted medical information to the members at large. Further, other than stating a waiver for “medical necessity” was granted, the Board should not discuss an owner’s condition with the members. Further, all evidence submitted by an owner should be kept in a separate file marked CONFIDENTIAL” and should not be released pursuant to any record requests from an owner. Violations can result in both State and Federal lawsuits.
Based on the above guidance from HUD “each case brought to the association should be a fact? intensive, case specific determination”. Janush v. Charities Hous. Dev. Corp., 159 F. Supp. 2d 1133 (N.D. Cal. 2000); Majors v. Hous. Auth. of the County of DeKalb, Ga., 652 F.2d 454, 457?58 (5th Cir. 1981). The Board’s duty of establishing that a “support animal” is necessary for an owner to use and enjoy their residence is critical. Courts have consistently held that an owner requesting an emotional support animal as a reasonable accommodation must demonstrate a relationship between his or her ability to function and the companionship of the animal. See, e.g., Majors v. Housing Authority of the County of Dekalb, 652 F.2d 454 (5th Cir. 1981); Housing Authority of the City of New London v. Tarrant, 1997 Conn.
Super. LEXIS 120 (Conn. Super. Ct. Jan. 14, 1997); Whittier Terrace v. Hampshire, 532 N.E.2d 712 (Mass. App. Ct. 1989); Durkee v. Staszak, 636 N.Y.S.2d 880 (N.Y.App.Div. 1996); Crossroads Apartments v. LeBoo, 578 N.Y.S.2d 1004 (City Court of Rochester, N.Y. 1991).
Conclusion:
Each case has to be reviewed by the Board on its own merits based upon submissions from the owner and the owner’s doctor or similar professional. In conducting an analysis of a possible waiver of pet restrictions, the Board cannot share an owner’s submitted medical information to the members at large. Further, other than stating a waiver for “medical necessity” was granted, the Board should not discuss an owner’s condition with the members. Further, all evidence submitted by an owner should be kept in a separate file marked CONFIDENTIAL” and should not be released pursuant to any record requests from an owner. Violations can result in both State and Federal lawsuits.
Although a fool proof method to avoid being sued or upsetting at least one group of owners does not exist. Understanding the requirements and working with your community’s attorney for each owner submission will go a very long way in keeping the board out of the dog house!
"The purpose of law is to prevent the strong from always having their way."
--- Ovid