By Sherwin Lewis / Published May 2024 As acclaimed author Deniece Schofield describes the importance of proactive maintenance, “Don’t start today by doing yesterday’s work.” There are many steps Florida community managers and association board members should implement now to bolster their community’s value and curb appeal. On-site team members have many daily needs to address to keep communities fully operational, so creating processes can ensure the team stays on track and is prepared to address any future issues that come up. Establishing a written maintenance checklist can empower team members to spring into action faster and anticipate the community’s needs. Create sections that cover the “daily run” checklist that encompasses everything the team does during the day; the “always” checklist for building rules and permanent settings for lights, thermostats, and alarms; and the “special” checklist for emergencies or big events. Important considerations when developing a community checklist include the

Springtime means rising water temperatures in an Atlantic Ocean that is already warmer than usual and with it, a rising hurricane risk to match. Colorado State University (CSU) released its annual hurricane forecast for this upcoming storm season, calling it “extremely active” with a record-breaking 11 hurricanes predicted for the season that officially starts on June 1 and runs through November 30. It is predicting a whopping 23 named storms this season compared to the average 14.4 storms that have occurred annually from 1991 to 2020. Five of these storms could reach major hurricane status through their development and possibly threaten landfall in the US. CSU forecasters say conditions have been exacerbated by especially warm waters and reduced wind shear from La Niña. Philip Klotzbach, a senior research scientist in CSU’s Department of Atmospheric Science, spoke recently at the National Tropical Weather Conference in Texas. “Pretty much the entire Atlantic

With hurricane season quickly approaching, and as the old saying goes, “chance favors the prepared.” Hurricane season starts on June 1st and extends through November 30th. Here are some tips to help prepare your 2023 hurricane preparedness guide, as well as provide actions that you can take before a hurricane makes landfall. The time is now to prepare your community for every possibility! First things first: Make sure that you and your board members know when to sound the alarm. Brush up on your “hurricane terms”: Hurricane Watch – This is a first notice and means that the eye of a hurricane may threaten within thirty-six (36) hours. Preparations should begin for coping with storm impacts and possible evacuation, if necessary. Hurricane Warning – This warning indicates that the dangerous effects of a hurricane are expected in a specified area within 24 hours or less. Storm Surge – This is

By Jeffrey A. Rembaum, Esq. / Published March 2024 Pursuant to their relevant statutory provisions, election disputes that take place in condominium, homeowners’, and cooperative associations are subject to mandatory nonbinding arbitration before the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes (the “Division,” for short). It is referred to as “nonbinding” because the arbitrator’s order is not final until 30 days after its issuance, which provides time for either party in the dispute to challenge the decision to their local circuit court, which hears the case de novo (anew). As you will read, not every election dispute will be heard by the Division. As a threshold matter of importance, the Division will not hear election disputes within 60 days prior to an election or 60 days after the election has taken place. In order to bring an election challenge, Florida Statutes require prior written notice to the other party