Per Florida law, a condominium association is not allowed to charge applicants any more than $100 when they are applying to purchase or rent a unit yet condo associations are doing just that: violating the law. When a person applies for a unit, the application fee—which is nonrefundable—is meant to cover the costs involved in checking an applicant’s credit score, conducting interviews, and doing a background check. Associations are choosing to gouge their tenants and future applicants by charging exorbitant fees as high as $625.
Besides the application fee, associations have also been adding on fees intended to cover so-called moving-in fees while others are charging fees of $100 if the applicant owns a pet. A quick perusal of condominium listings in Miami-Dade County alone shows over fifty percent of them are requesting application fees over $100. These buildings include luxury condos in Miami Beach to older buildings in the city of Kendall. The problem is also evident in Broward County, albeit not as rampant as it is in Miami-Dade.
All of these high fees could lead to a class-action lawsuit not only against associations but also property management companies. These high fees also possibly discriminate against low-income and low-middle-income renters unable to afford $300 fees, considering rent is high enough already and continues to climb.
This information is provided by Miami bankruptcy lawyer Alonso, Perez & Santos, LLP. Our areas of practice include bankruptcy, debt harassment, credit card defense, foreclosure defense, immigration law, condominium law, business start-ups, and more. Call 305-676-7545 to speak with one of our attorneys and receive a free consultation. We look forward to working with you.
This information is provided for educational or informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice.