So the FL city says the condo board is responsible for the collapse.

[pnwmom]

Why would anyone want to be on a condo board if they would be held personally responsible for a disaster like this? Are members of these boards paid substantial, or any, compensation?

[karynnj]

1. Not that I know of.

I suspect the city is playing hot potato, passing blame they could get because they did inspect.

Not to mention which condo board? People likely were voted on and off every year.

[hlthe2b]

2. Those that I'm familiar with are very much like home owner's associations. They meet to make

decisions, but the day-to-day management is typically contracted out. They are voted in by all the homeowners. They will have insurance against personal liability as a group, most likely and be covered UNLESS there is evidence of fraud or intentional negligence.

[HUAJIAO]

4. This is the way our small (36 townhouses) works.

I am on the HOA board of directors. We used to do the management ourselves, but we now contract out the actual management work. We individually are not liable unless, as you say there is evidence of fraud or intentional negligence.

[JenniferJuniper]

13. You can still be sued as an individual

Because you can sue anyone in this country for any reason.

Someone on a condo board will typically be covered by the association's master insurance policy for liability. Not sure about HOAs.

[Phoenix61]

3. Typically it's a volunteer position. The manager may

be paid. Technically, they are correct. The same way it’s your fault if your house falls down. That being said, the lack of regulated oversight is criminal. My guess is this is an attempt by the city to minimize their exposure. It’s clear there needs to be state regulations to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
Sadly, the current members most likely perished. Most boards have a requirement to be a full-time resident.

[Effete Snob]

5. It very well may be

[FakeNoose]

6. Insurance companies will be declaring Chapter 11 over this

Get your claims in quickly folks, the insurance companies will be DOA before you know it. Makes me wonder which banks are holding mortgages on those condos?

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Not when I was on one.

It's a thankless job with more political infighting than your average city council meeting.

There needs to be regulations requiring associations to keep a contingency fund to do emergency/major repairs. And more regulations for more frequent inspections.

But regulation is a dirty word to the GQP so good luck on that happening. Even if another one of these concrete house of cards pancakes and kills more people.

[AZ_Latina]

8. Condo Board should not be personally...

...responsible. The board is elected by the members of the association. The responsibility falls on the association and its membership, the homeowners. Homeowners pay assessments to cover operating expenses (i.e., insurance, utilities, landscape maintenance, pool maintenance, etc.). A portion of the assessments should be placed in a Reserve account to cover future capital expenses (i.e., replacement of pool equipment, re-roofing, building infrastructure, etc.). Having a Reserve Study helps the board make informed decisions when preparing the annual budget. Please keep in mind that responsibility is determined in the governing documents (CC&R, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, etc.). Homeowners should take the time to read the documents when considering the purchase of property in a Homeowners association.

[stillcool]

9. Napoleon-complex

give someone a little power, and sometimes they can't help themselves. But I don't think anyone knows where the blame lies, yet. Maybe not ever. Paid to say spokespeople for all parties will have dueling accusations.

[FelineOverlord]

10. So the FL city says the condo board is responsible for the collapse

Link to tweet

[Baitball Blogger]

11. I don't know about condo boards, but HOAs around here are very political.

The condominiums have much stricter rules. The HOA rules are worthless to protect the homeowners, if there is a political force in the community.

[Chicago1980]

12. Is the condo board alive?

[atreides1]

14. Interesting

Are they still responsible if they were following the letter of the law?

I've been watching the news about the building collapse...and I've noticed that there has been very little said about the laws that are in place!

[Ritabert]

15. Surfside is trying to deflect attention

...from their former head building official who downplayed condo board concerns over the 2018 report from Morabito as to serious deficiencies. Everybody involved will be trying to deflect responsibility.