Property Manager
Florida Condo Property Manager, LCAM
Florida condo property managers, sometimes called LCAMs or licensed community association managers, include the companies and individuals hired by condo associations to manage condominium property.
Duties of a property manager can vary and often include:
- Managing association vendors
- Ordering maintenance and repair work for association property and assets
- Finding qualified and licensed contractors for the association
- Meeting Management
- Handling accounting functions such as collection of assessments, payment of bills, preparation of financial reports
- Sending emails to unit owners about association events, repairs, and other association news
- Handling association paperwork
- Inspecting association assets
- Dealing with unit owner compliance with governing documents, rules, and regulations
It's important to note that the specific duties of an LCAM can vary depending on the size and complexity of the condominium association and the terms of their contract with the association's board. Also, regulations and requirements may change over time, so it's a good idea to check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for the most up-to-date information on the roles and responsibilities of LCAMs in Florida.
Services For The Association or Individual Unit Owners?
It is important for condo owners to understand that property managers, generally, are contracted to provide services to the condo association rather than any specific condo owner.
It is not uncommon for the contract between the association and property manager to specify that the property manager will only take direction from the board of directors or a designated member of the board of directors.
Also, it is common for property managers to not provide "concierge" types of services directly to unit owners. This point is sometimes a surprise to new Florida condo owners who believe that the property manager will help them care for their condo unit.
Condo Associations vs Homeowner Associations (HOAs)
LCAMS can work with both condo associations and homeowner associations. While sometimes similar, the Florida statutes often differ between condo associations and homeowners associations. It is not uncommon for LCAMS to confuse which laws apply to each type of association so condo members, especially board members, may want to do additional research or hire additional services, when dealing with critical decisions.
Some Florida condo buyers wish they had better understood the types of service available or not available from property managers. This seems to be particularly true for first time condo owners or buyers that are looking for assisted living types of services.
Prospective Florida condo buyers should, if they don't understand property management services, engage licensed and reputable attorneys and advisors to guide their buying decision.
