Quick Tip: Check the Approval Date on a Special Assessment Notice

Homeowners commonly review the approval date listed on a special assessment notice as part of understanding the charge, along with other details in the notice.

Why it helps

The approval date and method on a special assessment notice is one detail homeowners commonly review, since depending on the community's governing documents it may relate to whether a charge was approved at a board meeting, a membership meeting, or by written consent. Declarations and bylaws typically set out the approval method required for assessments in a community, and homeowners commonly compare that method against what a notice describes as part of understanding their situation.

How to do it

• Notices of this kind often include a line stating when and how the assessment was approved, which homeowners commonly review.
• Homeowners commonly request the board meeting minutes covering the relevant date to review what was discussed and approved.
• Homeowners commonly ask for the notice of that meeting, including information on how and when it was posted or delivered, since Florida law on HOAs (Chapter 720) generally addresses meeting notice requirements.
• Homeowners commonly review their declaration and bylaws to understand which approval process applies to their community, since these documents and the current statute can vary.
• Keeping copies of notices and related correspondence, including any written questions, is a practice many homeowners find useful for their own records.

For a full section-by-section breakdown of what else to look for on a special assessment notice, read the full guide.

Official sources and further reading

Statutes change, so homeowners may want to confirm the current text on the official site and review their own governing documents; because assessment and lien matters can involve deadlines and legal consequences, speaking with a licensed Florida attorney can help clarify specific rights and options.

• Florida Statutes, Chapter 720 (Homeowners' Associations)
• Florida DBPR, Division of Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes

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This article is general information for Florida homeowners, not legal advice. HOA Crimes is not a law firm, and reading this creates no attorney-client relationship. Laws and your governing documents change and depend on your facts. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed Florida attorney.