How Florida Homeowners’ Associations Can Safely Manage Coronavirus-related Legal Concerns
How Florida Homeowners’ Associations Can Safely Manage Coronavirus-related Legal Concerns Apr 23, 2020 Increasing issues associated with COVID-19, the coronavirus, have caused a number of issues in Florida to the point where Governor DeSantis had to declare a State of Emergency. At this point, there is not only an increased risk to the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, but to everyone, as we know so little about the transmission of the virus and how it operates. As a result, we are receiving a number of questions from parties with concerns surrounding the coronavirus; one of them being homeowners’ associations and boards that are concerned about how the virus might affect their residential communities and what can be done to protect them, as well as any management issues that could arise as a result. Consult an HOA Attorney & Maintain Balance by Taking Precautions but Not Overreacting It is important that associations do not take drastic measures such as prohibiting anyone who has traveled to certain areas from returning to their homes or pursuing emergency statutory powers without first consulting a homeowners’ association attorney. Instead, it would be better to try and strike a balance between ensuring that associations are not negligent in ignoring the threats that the virus poses – especially when it comes to certain communities with open layouts, whereby residents are constantly coming into contact with each other in common areas – and overly restrictive protocols that unnecessarily restrict residents’ freedom, which could lead to legal challenges. Suggested Safety Measures Below, we discuss some suggested points and protocols that could be discussed and pursued in terms of basic preventative and safety measures to protect residents in homeowners’ associations: Ask residents to limit all guests and be on the lookout for any short-term rental activities that could be violating governing documents, such as Airbnb rentals Place hand sanitizer stations in areas with high traffic Educate residents about travel-related exposure After meeting with counsel and your board to discuss any emergency powers that the board may need to utilize in order to protect residents, also discuss any rules or actions that should be taken concerning the use of common areas, including any social events that need to be canceled in order to protect residents’ health. If there are concerns about how to hold board meetings given concerns over the virus, note that you may be able to explore the use of in-house cable channels to broadcast the meetings so that residents can view them in their homes, instead, more safely Make sure that you have updated emergency contact information for all residents Let residents know that if they have any questions or concerns, they can contact the Florida Department of Health hotline at 813-253-5333 Contact Our Florida HOA Attorneys with Any Questions or Concerns Homeowners’ associations play important roles in not only managing the operations and upkeep in these communities, but also in ensuring that residents are properly protected. At HD Law Partners, our Tampa homeowners’ association attorneys provide knowledgeable, proactive legal representation that associations can count on. Contact us today to find out more. Resource: insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2020/03/11/560811.htm miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article240916146.html Court Allows Tenant Harassed by Another Tenant to Hold Landlord Liable Posted in Homeowners Association | No Comments » Connect with us Archives May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 July 2025 June 2025 January 2025 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 November 13 Categories Alimony Appellate Arbitration Auto Accidents Auto Insurance Business Corporate Business Insurance Law Child Custody Child Support Criminal Law Divorce Family Law FEMA Insurance Payments Florida’s Mandatory 2‑Hour Legal Professionalism CLE: Foreclosure Defense Fort Myers Hurricane Insurance Attorney General Guardianship HD Law Partners Service HOA/Property Management Homeowners Association Homeowners Insurance Hurricane Claims Hurricane Insurance Insurance Bad Faith Insurance Claims Insurance Defense Insurance Litigation Landlord Tenant Law Enforcement Liability Loan Modifications Mold Water Damage Parental Rights Paternity Personal Injury Premises Liability Law Prenuptial Agreements Private Security Property Distribution Property Owner Law Sarasota Insurance Litigation Attorney Slip Fall Tampa Business and Corporate Attorneys tampa family attorney Tampa Insurance Attorneys Timeshare Timesharing Uncategorized HD Law Partners is proud to be your trusted full-service law firm Quick Links Property & Casualty Business & Corporate Litigation Family Law Contact Us Careers Get In Touch 2002 North Lois Avenue Suite 510 Tampa, FL 33607 813-253-5333 Contact Us