Don't get caught off guard: The importance of association record-keeping in Florida.

Every business has records, and the rules around keeping and maintaining those records vary from business to business and from place to place. Condo and homeowner associations are no different. New laws in Florida aim to hold associations more accountable by expanding the list of official records for condominiums, requiring homeowners associations with 100 or more parcels to make official records available on a website, and adding penalties for failure to provide record access or damaging records.

“Associations are obligated to keep accurate and complete records of all official association activities, transactions, and decisions,” explains Anthony Gragnano, a vice president in FirstService Residential's high-rise division. “Meticulous recordkeeping is imperative to ensure regulatory compliance and transparency. Some board members may unintentionally overlook the rules due to a lack of understanding or oversight.”