Raise without notice

Q. We just received a notice from our condo association stating that our monthly assessments just went up by $20 due to required maintenance on our clubhouse. There was no board meeting or anything. May the board arbitrarily raise the assessments?

A. It sounds like the board may have passed a special assessment for the needed repairs. In order for the board to properly pass a special assessment in a condo association, the boardmust deliver at least 14 days’ notice to the owners before the board meeting at which the board votes to pass the special assessment. Thenotice that goes to the owners must state the estimated cost of the special assessment andthepurpose of the special assessment. Michael Bogen

Q. Does the law require homeowners’ insurance in homeowners or condominium associations?

Over the past several years, the Florida Legislature has made many changes to homeowner and condominium association law. A few years ago, homeowners’ insurance was required, then it wasn’t. But now, it depends. Whether or not homeowners’ insurance is required is dependent on your association’s declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions (HOA) or your association’s declaration of condominium (condo association). If your declaration requires owners to have insurance, then you must have it. A. No.