Counsel for HOA and Condo Association Boards
HD Law Partners represents community associations and their boards across Tampa Bay.
We act for the association. We do not represent owners in disputes with their own association.
What boards bring us
Homeowners associations under Chapter 720 and condominium associations under Chapter 718, from routine governance to litigation.
- Covenant and rule enforcement
- Delinquent assessment collections and lien foreclosure
- Disputes with owners, vendors, and management companies
- Construction defect claims against developers and contractors
- Governing document review and amendments
- Board meeting and election questions
- Insurance claim disputes on association property
Why boards choose a trial firm
Most association matters settle. A delinquent owner pays once a lien is recorded, a vendor dispute resolves once the contract is read closely, and a covenant violation is corrected after a proper notice. The ones that do not settle need counsel who tries cases.
HD Law Partners is a trial firm. We prepare association matters so the board has a clear position if the dispute goes to court, and that preparation is usually what brings the other side to a resolution first. Founding partner Raymond A. Haas leads the firm.
For property managers
Community association managers bring most board matters to us and stay in the loop from the first call through resolution. We work through the manager on scheduling, documents and owner communications, and we report to the board on the decisions that are the board's to make. The association is the client.
How we start
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Send the governing documents and the issue
The declaration, bylaws and rules, plus a short description of what the board is facing. A few paragraphs is enough to begin.
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We run a conflicts check
We confirm we can act for the association before any substantive discussion. If we cannot, we say so promptly.
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Engagement terms go to the board
The engagement letter and fee terms go to the board for approval. The association, not any individual director or manager, is the client.
Common questions
Do you represent homeowners against their association?
No. This practice represents community associations and their boards.
Can the board recover attorney fees from a delinquent owner?
Often, yes. The governing documents and Florida law frequently allow an association to recover its collection costs and attorney fees from an owner who has not paid. Whether and how that applies to your association depends on your documents, which we review before any collection action starts.
Who at the association should contact us?
A board officer or the community association manager acting for the board. We take direction from the board as a body, so an engagement is approved by the board even when one person makes the first call. Individual owners should not contact us about association matters.
How are fees structured for associations?
Most association work is billed hourly, and we discuss the retainer with the board before engagement. For defined tasks such as a document amendment or a routine collection file, flat fees may be appropriate. The terms are set out in writing and approved by the board before work begins.
Do you work with our management company?
Yes. Managers usually bring the matter to us and remain the day-to-day point of contact. We copy the manager on correspondence the board wants shared and report to the board directly on decisions that are the board’s to make.