Glossary
Florida HOA and condo terms, explained plainly.
A plain-language glossary of terms Florida condominium, homeowners association, and cooperative board members encounter. This is general information, not legal advice.
Annual meeting
The yearly members meeting where owners gather and usually elect the board.
Assessments
The recurring charges owners pay to fund the association budget.
Board member certification
The certification or class a new board member must complete after being elected.
Board of directors
The elected owners who govern the association between member meetings.
Bylaws
The rules governing how the association operates internally.
Declaration
The recorded document that creates the community and binds every owner.
Estoppel certificate
A signed statement of what a unit owes the association, used at a sale or refinance.
Fine hearing
The process an association must follow before a fine or suspension takes effect.
Milestone inspection
A phased structural inspection required for taller aging Florida condo and co-op buildings.
Official records
The records an association must keep and make available to owners.
Proxy
A written authorization letting someone vote on a member behalf.
Quorum
The minimum share of members needed for a meeting to conduct business.
Records request
An owner request to inspect or copy the association official records.
Reserve study
An analysis that projects long-term repair costs to set reserve funding.
Reserves
Money set aside for large future repairs and replacements.
Special assessment
A one-time charge, beyond regular assessments, for a specific expense.
Structural integrity reserve study (SIRS)
A required reserve study for the structural parts of many Florida condo and co-op buildings.
Turnover
The handoff of association control from the developer to the owners.
See the obligations that apply to your board.
Answer a few factual questions to build a cited obligation calendar. No login to start.
Start the free assessment →