Most of the condo stories and tips presented on this website have a connection to Florida Statutes 718 or to an association's governing documents. When governing docs conflict with the Florida Statutes, Florida law takes precedence.
Common Governing Docs are outlined below:
Sometimes a condo association falls under one or more other associations or similar entities. For example, a condo property may physically exist inside the boundary of another association, sometimes called a "master" association. That master association may have it's own declaration or other governing docs.
Community Development Districts, CDDs, may also be part of the governmental or community structure around a condo association
Sometimes condo association governing documents change. Prospective buyers should ensure that they review the latest governing documents, including all amendments and updates.
Many condo owners, and especially those who have served on the board of directors, believe that understanding an association's governing documents is extremely important, perhaps most important, to knowing whether a condominium property matches desired lifestyle preferences.
The article What Are Florida Condominium Governing Documents, by a Florida law firm The Law Office of Ryan S. Shipp, PLLC, provides more information including an overview of the hierarchy of condominium governing documents.
Some Florida condo buyers wish they had read an association governing documents before making an offer to buy a condo or before closing on the purchase of a condo.
Prospective Florida condo buyers should, if they don't understand condo association governing documents or how to obtain the most recent governing documents, engage licensed and reputable attorneys and advisors to guide their buying decision.