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Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Daniel Vasquez On Condos column [Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.]
(South Florida Sun Sentinel (FL) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 31--As a Boca Raton homeowner, Chandra Doucette uses an iPhone app to pull up state laws during association board meetings. As a shared community lawyer, she relies on it when out of the office to respond to client cell phone calls as fast as they come in.
Thanks to the latest technologies, it has never been easier to access information about Florida condo, homeowners and co-op association law through mobile devices, smart phone applications and state-sponsored Websites.
"I use this app for my own association meetings when questions about the law come up. And when clients text me or call me with questions," said Doucette, who does not serve on her HOA board. "Of course, I wouldn't need an app like this if I could memorize all the laws, but I now I have the statutes with me whenever I need them without having to carry a huge law book."
For Floridians, finding out whether your condominium association election was legal or your ex-convict neighbor qualifies to serve on the board can be as simple as grabbing an Apple iPhone, an Acer Netbook or a Barnes & Noble e-reader.
Here are some technologies worth checking out:
FLCondo and FLHOA iPhone apps, $2.99 each at Apple App Store: These are the apps Doucette uses almost daily. "Our motto is 'Take the law in your own hands,' " said David Koretzky, owner of Boca Raton-based Spanware, the software development company that released the apps. While optimized for iPhone and iPod Touch, they also work on iPad. No immediate plans are in place for Blackberry or Android versions, Koretzsky said. The apps now reflect 2009 laws but will be automatically updated in the next couple of weeks with recently-passed laws.
By phone: "Of course [owners] can call our office," said Bill Raphan, supervisor of the South Florida branch of the Florida Office of the Condominium Ombudsman. "Although we cannot interpret the law or give legal advice, we can provide them with helpful educational information." Contact the office by calling 954-202-3234 or 850-922-7671 or via e-mail at ombudsman@dbpr.state.fl.us. Raphan also recommends attending free classes at Broward College (954-201-7800) or Palm Beach Community College (561-868-3599).
Websites and other resources: The Florida Statutes are available at http://www.flsenate.gov. Go into view statutes and you can look through the appropriate statute and print what you want. You can also find out your corporate information at http://www.sunbiz.org. If you search under name, you will get all your associations info including your official corporate name, address, registered agent, and a list of all board members and officers. To see what bills are being considered or passed by the legislature visit http://www.myfloridahouse.gov and click on "Bill Finder."
The Division of Florida Condominiums, Mobile Homes and Timeshares also offers a helpful website at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/lsc/index.html. You'll find helpful links and downloads related to state law and rules, as well as online forms for condo complaints. Florida does not have a similar regulatory agency for homeowners associations.
Books: If tech is not for you, here are some worthy book titles. "The Condominium Concept" 12th edition with current law updates, $21.95, and "The Law of Florida Homeowners Associations," 8th edition with current law updates to be available within weeks, $16.95, are both authored by Peter M. Dunbar of Tallahassee-based Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson, Bell & Dunbar, which represents associations and owners across the state. Both books break down state law in common language. "It is definitely easier to find help today than it was a decade ago and the housing concepts are not overly complicated if one takes the time to familiarize oneself with them," said Dunbar. Another fast read is "New Neighborhoods: The Consumer's Guide To Condominium, Co-Op and HOA Living," $16.95, written by Gary A. Poliakoff, of Fort Lauderdale-based Becker & Poliakoff, and son Ryan, a condo and HOA law writer. All of these books are available at local libraries, including main libraries in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. Call ahead at your local branch to make sure they are in stock. You can also purchase at major retailers including, Amazon.com, Borders and Barnes & Noble.
Daniel Vasquez can be reached at condocolumn@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4219 or 561-243-6686. His condo column runs Wednesdays in Your Money and at sunsentinel.com/condos. Check out Daniel's Condos & HOAs blog for news, information and tips related to life in community associations at sunsentinel.com/condoblog. You can also read his consumer column Mondays in Your Money and at sunsentinel.com/vasquez.
To see more of the Sun Sentinel or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sun-sentinel.com/.
Copyright (c) 2010, Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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