When Condo Boards Don’t Know Their Own Bylaws: A Lesson in Homeowner Advocacy
- Lisa Williams
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
At Safe Home Management, our role often goes far beyond routine home watch inspections. While our primary responsibility is to protect and monitor our clients’ properties, there are times when homeowners need something equally important: clarity, advocacy, and informed guidance.
Recently, we assisted a condominium owner through a prolonged and frustrating dispute that lasted nearly six months—not because the issue was complex, but because the governing body responsible for managing the community did not fully understand or follow its own bylaws or Florida condominium law.
The Issue Wasn't the Property — It Was the Governance in the Condo Board Bylaws
The homeowner was facing multiple unresolved issues involving exterior maintenance, safety concerns, budgeting discrepancies, and responsibility disputes. Despite repeated communications, the board and its representatives provided conflicting answers, delayed responses, and at times attempted to shift responsibility to the homeowner—without proper support from the governing documents.
What made the situation especially difficult was that many of the matters being debated were clearly addressed in the condominium’s Declaration and Bylaws, as well as in Florida Statute Chapter 718. Unfortunately, those documents were either misunderstood, overlooked, or misapplied.
This lack of clarity resulted in:
Months of unnecessary back-and-forth
Escalating frustration for the homeowner
Delayed maintenance and unresolved safety concerns
Confusion over financial and budgeting procedures
All of which could have been avoided with a proper understanding of the governing documents.
The Turning Point:
Reading the Bylaws and the Law
At Safe Home Management, we believe that knowledge is protection.
Once we reviewed the condominium’s governing documents in detail—alongside applicable Florida law—it became clear where responsibilities actually lay and what procedures were required. The answers were already there, written plainly in black and white.
By helping the homeowner:
Understand unit boundaries versus common elements
Identify what the association is legally required to maintain
Recognize statutory notice and budgeting requirements
Properly request records and documentation
the dispute began to shift from emotion and confusion to facts, documentation, and accountability.
Why This Matters for Condo Owners
Many condo owners assume that boards, managers, and associations always know their governing documents. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. When boards act without fully understanding their bylaws—or when responsibilities are blurred—it is the homeowner who often bears the stress, delays, and uncertainty.
This experience reinforces an important lesson: Never assume—verify. Reading the bylaws and understanding Florida condominium law can save months of frustration and protect your rights as an owner.
How Safe Home Management Helped
Our involvement was not about confrontation—it was about education and resolution. By carefully reviewing the governing documents and applicable laws, we helped the homeowner approach the situation informed, confident, and prepared.
In the end, the homeowner was able to:
Clearly document the association’s obligations
Communicate effectively and professionally
Push toward resolution without unnecessary escalation
Our Commitment to Homeowners
At Safe Home Management, our focus extends beyond simply monitoring homes—we look out for homeowners.
From grasping maintenance duties to handling HOA or condo conflicts, and ensuring properties receive proper care, we hold that knowledgeable homeowners are safeguarded homeowners. Condo board bylaws
If you own a condo or estate property and feel stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed, sometimes the solution starts with one simple step: reading the bylaws and knowing the law
.
And if you need help doing that, we’re here.
Comments