Condo bill headed to Governor
by Kimberly Miller | April 28th, 2010Despite bi-partisan attempts to amend a 100-page condominium association bill, it was passed this morning with no additions _ a 107 to 4 vote that sends it to the governor.
South Florida Republicans and Democrats wanted more power to police condo associations inserted into SB 1196, but bill sponsor Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, said any amendments would force the Senate to refuse the legislation with just three days left in the session.
Several House members said that logic made no sense, referring to other bills, including the so called “jobs bill” that were amended and sent back to the Senate.
“We make decisions for this chamber. We are not a subset of the Senate,” said Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton.
The proposed law would require lenders to pay a full year’s worth of back fees when they take title to a property through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Current law requires them to pay only six months of fees.
Also, associations would be able to directly collect rent from tenants living in units of delinquent owners, something that currently requires a court order called a blanket receivership. And non-paying owners or tenants renting units of delinquent owners could be banned from common areas, such as the pool or clubhouse.
Another provision delays a requirement to install fire sprinklers in some common areas from 2014 to 2019.
Although supported by the majority of lawmakers, those on the front lines aren’t sure how much effect the bill will actually have.
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May 4th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Banks should be forced to start paying the monthly maintenance fees as well as special assessments AS SOON AS THEY FILE FOR FORECLOSURE on a condominium.
The banks sit idly by for years before they take title. Meanwhile, Associations have to pick up the tab for the lost revenue.
It is not fair to the Associations while the greedy banks have made astronomical profits during the real estate crisis and through the governmnet’s stimulus packages.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:31 am
This is helpful but barely scratches the surface of the burden left by delinquent owners and the banks, who do not want the toxic assets left behind when the flippers walked away leaving those with any moral standards, who continued to pay, being assessed these additional costs to keep functional. How about the bankruptcies? Can we sue those? They seem to walk away with only a blemish on their credit report but with new cars and new lives, go figure!
May 5th, 2010 at 9:38 am
This is an improvement however, it does not make up for the heavy burden placed on those who have had to be assessed or have been denied services because the flippers have not paid or the banks have left these “toxic assets” unattended for so long. How about the bankruptcies? They seem to walk away with new cars, new homes, new lives and only a blemish on their credit reports? Can we get something back for all the time they lived on our premises rent-free?
May 6th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
THE CONDO BILL IS BENEFICIAL IN A SMALL INCOMPLETE WAY. CONDO BOARDS HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH DELINQUENCIES IN MAINTENANCE FEES. LET’S CONSIDER THIS:
TENNANT 90 DAYS+ IN ARREARS AND A MORTGUAGE OF SAY $30,000 WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE LESSER AMOUNT OR 1% OF $30000. IN MY BOOK THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY $300. ASSUMING MAINTENANCE FEES ARE $300/MOS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THEY PAY A ONE TIME FEE OF $300 AND THEY’RE FREE AND CLEAR TO DISCONTINUE THEIR MAINTENANCE FEES. WHY BLESS THEIR PECUNIOUS LITTLE HEARTS. AND WE’RE ELECTING THESE GUYS? WE MUST BE DUMBER THAN THEY ARE.