Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes

Frequently Asked Questions - Division Information

Annual Fees

110. What does the division do with the annual $4 per unit fees it collects?

Complaints

111. What is the process for filing a complaint?

Education Materials/Publications

112. Where can I obtain a copy of Chapter 718, the Condominium Act or Chapter 719, the Cooperative Act?

110. What does the division do with the annual $4 per unit fees it collects?
The division is partially funded by an annual fee of $4 for each residential unit operated by the association. These fees and all other fees collected by the division are deposited into the division's trust fund. The fees are used to support a variety of functions. For example, the division has the responsibility to enforce and ensure compliance with the provisions of the chapter and rules promulgated pursuant thereto relating to the development, construction, sale, lease, ownership, operation, and management of residential condominium and cooperative units. The division accomplishes its responsibility by providing many services to the condominium and cooperative industry.

• The division may make investigations to determine if violations of the Condominium or Cooperative Acts or the applicable Florida Administrative Code Rules have occurred. If the division has reasonable cause to believe that a violation has occurred, it may institute enforcement proceedings against any developer, association, officer, or member of the board of administration, or its assignees or agents.
• The division provides responses to both telephone and written inquires received from persons requesting its services. A toll free telephone line is provided to assist customers. The division develops and maintains printed materials that are available to its customers. The materials are also made available on the Internet. The division also contracts for the provision of educational courses for condominium and cooperative unit owners and board members.
• The division employs full-time attorneys to act as arbitrators to conduct mandatory nonbinding arbitration of disputes. Further, among other responsibilities, the division receives, reviews and maintains filings received from developers.
  Condominium: Sections 718.501(1)&(2)(b), F.S.
  Cooperative: Section 719.501(1)&(2)(b), F.S.

111. What is the process for filing a complaint?
If you believe that violations of Chapter 718 or 719 have occurred, you may file a complaint with the division. A complaint must be received by the division in writing, and may be submitted in letter form or on the division complaint form. Complaint forms are available through the Bureau of Customer Service at 850/488-1122 or may be accessed online at the division’s web page
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/lsc/condominiums/index.shtml.
Generally, when a complaint is made, the division will conduct an inquiry to determine whether the complaint is within its jurisdiction. Within 30 days after receipt of the complaint, the division will notify the complainant whether the complaint is within the jurisdiction of the division and whether additional information is needed. If appropriate, the division will then conduct an investigation.
The division can investigate only alleged violations of the provisions in Chapter 718, Florida Statutes, and Chapters 61B-15 through 61B-24, Florida Administrative Code, pertaining to condominiums, and Chapter 719, Florida Statutes, along with Chapters 61B-75 through 61B-79, Florida Administrative Code, pertaining to cooperatives. As a result, the division does not generally investigate issues involving:

- maintenance of the common elements or common areas;
- alterations or additions to the common elements or common areas; or
- violations of the condominium (or cooperative) documents.

The division does not investigate issues involving:

- contractual disputes;
- criminal matters; or
- discrimination pertaining to age, race, special needs, et cetera; and internal disputes (for example, most issues involving noise, pets, and parking).

Condominium: Section 718.501(1)(m), F.S.
Cooperative: Section 719.501(1)(m), F.S.

112. Where can I obtain a copy of Chapter 718, the Condominium Act or Chapter 719, the Cooperative Act?
Copies of Chapters 718 or 719, Florida Statutes, may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Customer Service at: 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1032, or by telephone toll free at 800-226-9101 (from within Florida only) or 850-488-1122 or by the Internet at: mailto: Call Center@dbpr.state.fl.us
Additionally, the Florida Legislature maintains copies of the Florida Statutes on the Internet at: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?Tab=statutes&submenu=-1&CFID=18072977&CFTOKEN=18993911
Condominium: Section 718.501, F.S.
Cooperative: Section 719.501, F.S.