718.303 Obligations of owners; waiver; levy of
fine against unit by association. ---
(1) Each unit owner, each tenant and other invitee, and each
association shall be governed by, and shall comply with the provisions of,
this chapter, the declaration, the documents creating the association, and the
association bylaws and the provisions thereof shall be deemed expressly
incorporated into any lease of a unit. Actions for damages or for injunctive
relief, or both, for failure to comply with these provisions may be brought by
the association or by a unit owner against:
(a) The association.
(b) A unit owner.
(c) Directors designated by the developer, for actions taken by them
prior to the time control of the association is assumed by unit owners other
than the developer.
(d) Any director who willfully and knowingly fails to comply with
these provisions.
(e) Any tenant leasing a unit, and any other invitee occupying a
unit.
The prevailing party in any such action or in any action in which the
purchaser claims a right of voidability based upon contractual provisions as
required in s. 718.503(1)(a) is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's
fees. A unit owner prevailing in an action between the association and the
unit owner under this section, in addition to recovering his reasonable
attorney's fees, may recover additional amounts as determined by the court to
be necessary to reimburse the unit owner for his share of assessments levied
by the association to fund its expenses of the litigation. This relief does
not exclude other remedies provided by law.
(2) A provision of this chapter may not be waived if the waiver
would adversely affect the rights of a unit owner or the purpose of the
provision, except that unit owners or members of a board of administration may
waive notice of specific meetings in writing if provided by the bylaws. Any
instruction given in writing by a unit owner or purchaser to an escrow agent
may be relied upon by an escrow agent, whether or not such instruction and the
payment of funds thereunder might constitute a waiver of any provision of this
chapter.
(3) If the declaration or bylaws so provide, the association may
levy reasonable fines against a unit for the failure of the owner of the unit,
or its occupant, licensee, or invitee, to comply with any provision of the
declaration, the association bylaws, or reasonable rules of the association.
No fine will become a lien against a unit. No fine may exceed $100 per
violation. However, a fine may be levied on the basis of each day of a
continuing violation, with a single notice and opportunity for hearing,
provided that no such fine shall in the aggregate exceed $1,000. No fine may
be levied except after giving reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing
to the unit owner and, if applicable, its licensee or invitee. The hearing
must be held before a committee of other unit owners. If the committee does
not agree with the fine, the fine may not be levied. The provisions of this
subsection do not apply to unoccupied units.
History: s. 1, ch. 76-222; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 12, ch. 84-368; s. 16, ch.
90-151; s. 14, ch. 91-103; s. 5, ch. 91-426; s. 11, ch.
92-49.