Gainesville Condo and Co-op Lawyers

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Condominium and Cooperative Law in Florida

Condominiums and cooperatives are forms of "common interest" communities.

These are communities in which each resident rents or owns a residential unit. The residential units are part of a larger building, or complex of buildings, which are owned by another entity, such as a corporation or association. The residents are accountable for the upkeep of common areas, such as lawns and walkways. Rather than personally tending to these things, residents normally pay a fee that covers these necessities.

Merely viewing one of these communities from the outside (or inside) will not let you discern whether it's a cooperative or condominium community.

This is due to the fact that there are no visual or physical characteristics that can distinguish one from the other. All the differences between them lie in the ownership arrangements that the residents have. With a condominium, the residents normally own their housing unit, and collectively own the land on which it sits. In a cooperative, the residents rent the units, and the land is owned by a single entity, either a corporation or other type of business association.

Laws and Regulations Concerning Common Interest Communities in Gainesville, Florida

There are a huge number of laws in Gainesville, Florida that can affect condominiums and cooperatives, but few, if any, of them are unique to such common-interest communities. Rather, they're mostly governed by laws of general application, covering zoning, contracts, and landlord/tenant relations.

In general, the procedures of the landowner or management board will have a much greater impact on the daily lives and conduct of residents than any state or local laws controlling condominiums or cooperatives.

The owner or manager of the property on which your unit sits will likely have a considerable number of regulations concerning what can be done in and around the housing units. These rules will likely concern cleanliness, noise, and policies governing the presence of pets and long-term guests.

The power of landowners is limited, however, and there are some rules that cannot be given legal effect. For example, in Gainesville, Florida, any rule which would exclude residents based on their race is completely unenforceable. Such discrimination is clearly prohibited under federal law, private property rights notwithstanding.

Can a Gainesville, Florida Attorney Help?

If you have problems with your landlord, your homeowners association, or a neighbor, a seasoned Gainesville, Florida real estate lawyer may prove invaluable.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Gainesville

Gainesville, Florida is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida. Its population is approximately 125,000 people.

Human habitation of the area that now includes Gainesville, Florida dates back at least 12,000 years. One of the ancient structures left behind by these people is colloquially known as the "Law School Mound." It is a burial mound that sits on the University of Florida Law School's campus, and it is estimated to be over 1,000 years old.

Many Gainesville, Florida attorneys studied law at this university. These lawyers are drawn to Gainesville because of its low cost of living, and business-friendly culture. Gainesville is also known for its promotion of solar energy, which allows private property owners with solar panels on their land to supply excess electricity back into the local power grid, helping people recoup the cost of investing in solar panels, making this environmentally-friendly practice more attractive.

If you live in Gainesville, Florida and are in need of legal advice, chances are good that a local Gainesville, Florida attorney can help.

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