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Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry.

Florida passed the statewide Condominium Safety Bill in Wake of the Surfside Building Collapse back in June of 2021. This is a major, positive change moving forward in the safety of the condominiums.

Posted: May 27, 2022
By: Admin SFPMA
Comments: Comments Off on Florida passed the statewide Condominium Safety Bill in Wake of the Surfside Building Collapse back in June of 2021. This is a major, positive change moving forward in the safety of the condominiums.

Florida passed the statewide Condominium Safety Bill in Wake of the Surfside Building Collapse back in June of 2021. This is a major, positive change moving forward in the safety of the condominiums.

What does this bill entail?

Recertification is now required after 30 years, or 25 years if the building is within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the coast, and every 10 years thereafter.
Condominium associations would be required to maintain sufficient reserves to cover major repairs, and to conduct a study of the reserves every 10 years. Inspection reports would be provided to owners by the condominium association, and if structural repairs are required, owners would be notified and work must start within a year of the report given.
If the building’s certificate of occupancy was issued on or before July 1, 1992, the building’s initial milestone inspection must be performed before December 31, 2024.

The structural integrity reserve study at a minimum, must include:

Roof.
Load-bearing walls or other primary structural members.
Floor.
Foundation.
Fireproofing and fire protection systems.
Plumbing.
Electrical systems.
Waterproofing and exterior painting.
Windows.
Any other item that has a deferred maintenance expense or replacement cost that exceeds $10,000 and the failure to replace or maintain such item negatively affects the items listed in subparagraphs a.-i., as determined by the licensed engineer or architect performing the visual inspection portion of the structural integrity reserve study.

Looking ahead:

The State of Florida Property Management Association (sfpma.com) and the many members are offering their services. On our members directory Condo & HOA’s all over the state can find the top rated companies to handle their buildings inspections, engineering, fire safety inspections, roofers, painting and waterproofing, plumbers and electricians for all of your Building Maintenance repairs.

On top of these are the Law Firms, that help with making sure your buildings are legaly ready for the changes.

We understand with all of these changes each condo and hoa will need help with funding the reserves into the future, so we did not forget this: Our industry members include the top financial companies, ie: Banks and Loan companies ready to help wth your investments. Act now start saving and growing your reserves, at times you will also need to get your accounting and bookkeeping with the added help from our collections members to make sure you cn get the funding to perform the many needed repairs.

SFPMA MEMBERS DIRECTORY IN FLORIDA FIND MEMBER COMPANIES FROM TALLAHASSEE TO THE KEYS.

Largest Florida Directory of Companies working with Property Management, Condo and HOA properties.

If you are not listed become a member today!

Florida passes condominium safety bill in wake of Surfside

Posted: May 27, 2022
By: Admin SFPMA
Comments: Comments Off on Florida passes condominium safety bill in wake of Surfside

A bill has been sent to Florida’s governor that would require statewide recertification of condominiums over three stories tall, in response to the Surfside building collapse that killed 98 people

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida would require statewide recertification of condominiums over three stories tall under a bill sent Wednesday to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis by lawmakers, their legislation a response to the Surfside building collapse that killed 98 people.

The House unanimously passed the bill during a special session originally called to address skyrocketing property insurance rates. The condominium safety bill was added to the agenda Tuesday after an agreement was reached between the House and Senate.

Recertification would be required after 30 years, or 25 years if the building is within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the coast, and every 10 years thereafter. The Champlain Towers South was 40 years old and was going through the 40-year-recertification process required by Miami-Dade County when it collapsed last June.

At the time, Miami-Dade and Broward counties were the only two of the state’s 67 that had condominium recertification programs.

“We have actually made positive change knowing that condominiums will be safer moving forward,” said Republican Rep. Daniel Perez.

The bill would require that condominium associations have sufficient reserves to pay for major repairs and conduct a study of the reserves every decade. It would also require condominium associations to provide inspection reports to owners, and if structural repairs are needed, work must begin within a year of the report.

Similar legislation failed during the regular session that ended in March.

The condominium measure was attached to a bill that would forbid insurers from automatically denying coverage because of a roof’s age if the roof is less than 15 years old. Homeowners with roofs 15 years or older would be allowed to get an inspection before insurers deny them coverage.

While some Democratic lawmakers complained that the special session on insurance didn’t go far enough to help relieve homeowners, they did praise the addition of the condominium safety legislation.

“This bill makes this trip worth it, at least for me,” said Democratic Rep. Michael Grieco, whose district borders Surfside. “I know folks who lost people in that building.”

Recertification would be required after 30 years — or 25 years if the building is within three miles of the coast — and every 10 years thereafter.

The House sent the bill to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday.

The House unanimously passed the legislation during a special session on skyrocketing property insurance rates.

Recertification would be required after 30 years — or 25 years if the building is within three miles of the coast — and every 10 years thereafter.

Nearly a year after the catastrophic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation that will require condominium association boards to set aside money in reserves to cover future repairs starting in 2025. Current law allows them to waive the requirement.

“They are allowed to do that, and most of them are doing that today. They’re doing that because they are kicking the can down the road and not wanting the cost,” said state Rep. Danny Perez, R-Miami. “So moving forward, the structural integrity of a condominium will be reserved, they will be maintained, and they will be kept up to par so that future condominiums never have to worry about another Surfside taking place.”

The measure, which was approved by the House on a 110-0 vote and now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, would also require condo boards to conduct reserve studies every decade to make sure they have the resources to finance needed structural repairs. The proposal would also open up condo board members — many of them volunteers — to lawsuits if they ignore inspection requirements.

At play in Florida will be how to mandate reserves and maintenance to prevent tragedy and prepare associations who will need to make decisions that will likely cost homeowners more money.

“The compliance timeline is a few years away to afford an opportunity to smoothly transition,” the Senate sponsor of the bill, Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said. “Additionally, the Legislature will remain engaged as condos and associations work to implement these changes.”

Bradley said she knows the changes to the state’s condo law will be a disruption to the status quo for many condos, but she says, “the safety of Floridians must come first.”

‘First-of-its-kind’ inspection requirements

“The creation of a first-of-its-kind statewide system of milestone inspections for our aging condos and providing transparency and disclosure to local officials, unit owners, and renters are significant measures that will save lives,” Bradley said.

There would be two phases to inspections. If a visual inspection by a licensed architect or engineer authorized to practice in Florida reveals no signs of substantial structural deterioration, no further action is necessary until the next required inspection. If structural deterioration is detected, a second phase of testing is required to determine whether the building is structurally sound.

The changes to the state’s condo laws emerged on Tuesday afternoon during a special session that Gov. Ron DeSantis called to address Florida’s failing property insurance market. The deal came after months of negotiations between lawmakers.

On Wednesday, Perez said the reserves provision was “the most important” part of the bill. House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, thanked him for standing his ground, telling him that “people in the state of Florida are safer because of your efforts.”

Tags: state news

Attn: Our internet and phone systems are down due to construction next to our Main Office.

Posted: May 16, 2022
By: Admin SFPMA
Comments: Comments Off on Attn: Our internet and phone systems are down due to construction next to our Main Office.

Again we find ourselves without Internet and Phone System.

Our Offices were again impacted by a severed communication line, the neighboring construction has cut through a communication line four times in the last 2 months. This morning speaking with the construction foremen he stated they would do everything they can to get the building back on line……but they have to have this repairs done by the communications company / Comcast.

Please contact us by Email: membership@sfpma.com

all phone lines (voip) are down through the internet.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

SFPMA

Is your community association prepared to raise dues 10-15% or more in 2023?

Posted: May 04, 2022
By: Admin SFPMA
Comments: Comments Off on Is your community association prepared to raise dues 10-15% or more in 2023?

Is your community association prepared to raise dues 10-15% or more in 2023?

Inflation is currently at its highest level in 40 years. And it does not appear to be going down anytime soon. Last year, the inflation rate hit 7% and by February of this year it increased to 7.9%. Consumers have seen prices of everything from gas to groceries increase.

As you can see from the chart below, we have been very fortunate with inflation rates hovering around 2% for the last 10 years, as represented by the green line. While in the last 30 years, we have rarely exceeded 4%, as represented by the red line. Now, we are faced with 8%, which again, we have not seen in over 40 years.

Inflation has already affected many community associations with many raising their dues between 3-5% for the 2022 budget year. But that increase was not enough especially with the continued impact of insurance, labor, and material increases. Most community associations need to be prepared to raise dues 10-15% in 2023 to combat inflation.

Homeowners are usually not happy when dues go up. However, as expenses for communities increase, so does the need for an increase in the dues. Now is the time to prepare your residents for an increase in dues in 2023 so they are not blindsided.

Here are some of the items in most community associations that are increasing in cost:

Landscaping costs – Prices for materials, gas and fertilizer have all increased causing landscape companies to raise prices. Supply shortages fueled by the Ukraine-Russia conflict (Russia is one of the main suppliers of fertilizer around the world) have caused fertilizer prices to go up 30%.
Property Management – Labor shortages for maintenance, janitorial and even admin and property manager positions mean the cost of labor has gone up as property management companies try to attract talent with higher salaries and better benefits.
Labor costs – The great resignation has played a major role in the rising cost of labor. Legions of workers, especially those in low-wage positions leaving their jobs means employers need to pay more to get workers to show up.
Maintenance and repair costs – As a direct result of the global supply chain shortages, prices have soared. Associations need to factor in higher costs for the regular maintenance of their communities. Outside vendors such as pool companies have raised their prices and many parts are simply much more expensive than they used to be.
Premiums for insurance – Insurance increases are on the rise; where there is an incumbent on the deal, we are seeing 15-30% increases on insurance. And, where there is a replacement carrier required, we have seen rate increases in the 50-100%+ range. Click here to view a recent webinar we held on the current insurance market.
Project costs – There is no doubt that any large projects your community needs to get done are going to cost more. Material prices overall are up 20.3% since 2021. Add in the labor shortages and supply chain constraints and not only are projects going to cost your association more, they are also going to take longer to complete.

For most community associations, the budget for 2023 will reflect higher anticipated expenses, which means dues will need to increase. Now is the time to prepare your residents for this increase. This year is unlike any other year. You CAN NOT rely on “standard” budget raises and expect to be able to pay your bills in 2023. You should NOT wait until the end of the year, hoping this will change. You need to start planning NOW and letting your owners know NOW.

Throughout the remainder of 2022, we will have a blog post each month discussing this inflation storm and offer tips for your association to ride it out.

by Ashley Dietz Gray, VP Marketing

ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

Posted: Apr 22, 2022
By: Admin SFPMA
Comments: Comments Off on ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

by VANDELAY COMMUNICATIONS LLC

2022 is looking to be the year of the Electric Vehicle. Whether you like the idea of switching from ICE (internal Combustion Engines) to EV (Electric Vehicles) or not….they are coming and in droves.

Almost every major auto manufacturer is bringing an EV to market this coming year and from the looks of it, the wave will be small at first, but tremendous by 2023. What this means for Residential Condos and apartments, especially in High Rise buildings with limited parking, is you must be planning for it now.

Our company is already working with several Florida Management companies to bring state of the art EV charging equipment to their properties. Up until lately a lot of buildings have been allowing residents to add their own “outlet” or charger to their parking space. What this has done has taxed the electric panel to full capacity as well as contributed to a much higher electric bill because there is no control over demand charges as well as the inability to know exactly what someone is using by way of kilowatt hours.

The equipment today can offer several huge advantages to circumvent all the problems and headaches associated with EV charging as well as bring a new revenue stream to your property. the units today offer the capability to have a totally hands off approach and allow for this new stream of revenue. 90% of all EV vehicles are charging from home. Having this ability, brings value to the property by way of higher rents, higher sales prices of units and no drain on the HOAs funds except for the initial buildout which is paid back over time through correct set up of the systems financial utilities tools.

For more information or a personal presentation please contact us.

STEVEN T. MILANA
Executive Vice President of Development
Vandelay Communications LLC
“Veteran Owned Small Business”

Office: 480-805-1962
Cell: 954-214-2590
steve@vandelaycommunications.com

Tags: Board of Directors, Common Area Issues

Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

Posted: Apr 22, 2022
By: Admin SFPMA
Comments: Comments Off on Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

When you’re in the service industry, nothing is more important than keeping your clients happy. Entrepreneurs are married to their business, right? Well, your clients are your wife, and a happy wife is a happy life. Some people naturally excel in customer service. They have more empathy, listen better, and were born kind to the core. God bless them. Others, like me, have to develop a knack for customer service and find ways to fight the urge to… well, punch someone in the face.

Remember YOU can send SFPMA Articles, Sales, Projects We will send to Clients all over Florida. A a member of SFPMA you should get involved and make the most of your membership. ideas: post articles, share your membership page, Log into the members portal for your own marketing ( Use the listed Managers List and let them also know what you do and how you can help them, We send to them all the time (over 230,000 emails sent in our weekly Email Blast to clients/members all over Florida, Is your information part of them?.)

1. Under Promise, Over Deliver

Topping off the list is this old adage, I’m sure you’ve heard it before. Humans naturally overestimate themselves when it comes to doing work. They see a task or think about how long it will take and respond in kind. What we fail to think about are all the other things we need to get done, or the distractions we face on a regular basis. If you think you can get something done in one day, tell them it will take one week. If you finish in a day, they will be pleasantly surprised.

2. Manage Expectations

This is related to #1, but I’d like to focus more on the process. Having a process and explaining this to your clients from the start is the best way to manage expectations. If you don’t want your clients to call you every day or every hour, you should tell them from the beginning how client communication works — that you will have weekly or bi-weekly calls and other questions can be submitted via email. If you don’t want to go back and forth over design changes forever, tell them from the beginning that they have 2 rounds of feedback, and anything above that will be billed hourly.

3. Be Transparent: Don’t be afraid to say “I Don’t Know”

Everyone thinks that your clients come to you because you’re the expert. You should have all the answers, and that’s why they hired you. The truth is, you may be great at what you do, but you do not have all the answers. Things are constantly changing and your client may learn about something before you do. That’s okay. If you’re ever in a situation where you don’t know something, say “I don’t know, but let me do my research and get back to you.”

4. Mo’ Money, Less Problems

My grandmother used to say, “If it’s a problem that can be solved with money, it’s not really a problem.” Growing up I’d hear this a lot, but it took me 8 years in business to really grasp what this meant. It took experience.

Early on, if a client was unhappy or didn’t feel that I was adding enough value, I’d say something like “Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, I’ll try and do better, but I did the work so pay me”. I know you’ve been there, but believe me when I tell this will create friction in the relationship and potentially lose you a client for life. The better response is “I’m sorry you feel that way. I’m happy to refund you your money for the last month and we can find someone that may be a better fit.” Chances are they will appreciate the humility and decide to keep working with you. It works like a charm.

5. Get To Know Your Clients on a Personal Level

Becoming friends with my clients is something I’ve put a lot of emphasis on because I’ve witnessed the power of this first hand. Nearly all of my clients would call me a friend today, and that’s because I stay up on what’s going on in their personal lives. Are they taking a trip? Do they have a girlfriend, or are they married with kids? What other projects are they working on? When you know this information, you can start every call or meeting with a personal touch, immediately changing the tone of the conversation from a business meeting, to a relaxed conversation between partners.

“How you think about your customers influences how you respond to them.” — Marilyn Suttle

6. Share Valuable Content and Information

One of my personal favorite client interactions is sharing valuable content from credible sources with my clients. If I learn something new in one of the email digests I receive (Product Hunt, Launch, Morning Brew) that relates to their market or industry, I share it with them. It lets them know that a) I’m always learning about my industry, and b) I’m thinking about them. It could spark a conversation that could lead to new work or a shift in strategy, but either way, it brings you a little closer together.

7. Call Your Clients Regularly

The key to a positive relationship is communication. I like to schedule calls with all of my clients either every week or every month, and set some touch points to reach out to them randomly to catch up. We even tried creating an app for this call KIT List (Keep In Touch), which send you reminders to call your clients. Ask them how they feel about the service you’re providing, on a scale from 1–10, and if it’s not a 10, ask what you can do to make it a 10.

Tags: SFPMA Articles

6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

Posted: Apr 22, 2022
By: Admin SFPMA
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6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

by Holly Bunch on Apr 19, 2022 1:00:00 PM

A Homeowners Association (HOA) is a private body made up of members of society who own property within a common area, led by an elected board of volunteers. The association’s main objective is to grow and add value to the property by protecting communal regions and setting rules and regulations.

Different organizations have rules that members must adhere to regarding architectural amusements like fences, swimming pools, entrances, exterior home designs, and HOA.

The HOA makes homeowners and buyers appreciate their surroundings and ensures that lawns are cut and home exteriors remain attractive. Although some rules and regulations may seem challenging, members who comply with them reap significant rewards from the association.

HOA Violations and How to Avoid Them

HOA violations are practices that go contrary to the set covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) set by the association. They include:

Landscaping

Having unkempt, overgrown, and heavily weeded lawns would be a crime for any property owner. They also consider using trees taller than the recommended height and color for fencing an offense.

You can avoid landscaping violations by following the set rules, such as maintaining well-kept and clean lawns and ensuring the fence trees are within the required height, such as 5 feet maximum. In addition, use drip irrigation and controlled sprinklers on lawns and along sidewalks.

Noise

It is considered a crime for group members to play loud music between the evening and early morning. Additionally, it is against the HOA rules and regulations for members to hold social gatherings between the restricted hours or even have guests in parking areas, playing deafening music and making loud noises during odd hours.

Like many cities and counties, the HOA adheres to noise ordinances enacted for the benefit of its members. Property owners should constantly refer to the rules on noise pollution management to ensure that they give their neighbors and the general community peaceful nights and calm mornings.

Vehicles and Parking

Residents will break HOA rules by parking non-permitted vessels on the streets or driveways, such as boats or commercial autos. Driving outside of designated locations or exceeding the speed limit in congested regions is also deemed a crime.

Members must follow established area speed restrictions, parking rules in defined zones, and the types of vessels permitted to park on the land and along the streets.

Pets

Residents love pets, and some consider them family. Therefore, the HOA has rules on the types of pets and areas where pets can and can’t walk, leash dogs, or pick up pets. Every resident must not violate the pet restrictions and rules. Otherwise, the HOA and neighbors may not be remorseful for such offenses.

Members need to know the number of pets per homestead, the good breeds and weights, and the law on picking up after the pets.

Undisclosed Rentals

Renting or leasing out different places on the property to get extra money may violate the association’s bylaws. State, federal, and sometimes local regulations govern and supersede HOA operations. With this in mind, they establish regulatory standards with other organizations, such as housing insurance companies.

Insurance companies determine the occupant-to-rented property ratio. As a result, property owners need to acquire written permission from the HOA before subletting their properties.

Trash

Poor waste management and careless placement of trash and dust bins on the property are considered violations. It is an HOA offense to leave the receptacle bins outside during non-collection hours, in front of people’s homes, or inconspicuous spots. They detract from the value of a property.

SFPMA Industry Articles | news, legal updates, events & education!

Florida passes condominium safety bill in wake of Surfside

Recertification would be required after 30 years — or 25 years if the building is within three miles of the coast — and every 10 years thereafter.

‘First-of-its-kind’ inspection requirements

Attn: Our internet and phone systems are down due to construction next to our Main Office.

Again we find ourselves without Internet and Phone System.

Is your community association prepared to raise dues 10-15% or more in 2023?

Is your community association prepared to raise dues 10-15% or more in 2023?

ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

1. Under Promise, Over Deliver

2. Manage Expectations

3. Be Transparent: Don’t be afraid to say “I Don’t Know”

4. Mo’ Money, Less Problems

5. Get To Know Your Clients on a Personal Level

6. Share Valuable Content and Information

7. Call Your Clients Regularly

6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

HOA Violations and How to Avoid Them

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SFPMA Industry Articles | news, legal updates, events & education!

Largest Florida Directory of Companies working with Property Management, Condo and HOA properties.

Recertification would be required after 30 years — or 25 years if the building is within three miles of the coast — and every 10 years thereafter.

‘First-of-its-kind’ inspection requirements

Again we find ourselves without Internet and Phone System.

Is your community association prepared to raise dues 10-15% or more in 2023?

The Hurricane season starts on June 1 but it’s never too early to prepare.

Take a moment to go to out web page for the top professionals /members ready to help. Remember to SAVE to your favorites, this way you will be prepared if you have damage to your buildings/HOA homes and condos.

http://FloridaAdjusting.com – A division of SFPMA

ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING ! IS YOUR PROPERTY READY?

Here are a few tips to keep those clients happy, and increase customer retention in the service industry.

1. Under Promise, Over Deliver

2. Manage Expectations

3. Be Transparent: Don’t be afraid to say “I Don’t Know”

4. Mo’ Money, Less Problems

5. Get To Know Your Clients on a Personal Level

6. Share Valuable Content and Information

7. Call Your Clients Regularly

6 HOA Violations & How to Avoid Them

HOA Violations and How to Avoid Them

Industry Articles: