I'm in Florida. My condo association is asking me for a copy of my key. Can they force me to give them one? What can they do if I refuse?
Thank you,
Steve
I'm in Florida. My condo association is asking me for a copy of my key. Can they force me to give them one? What can they do if I refuse?
Thank you,
Steve
Fish out your condo association papers, the agreement you signed when you bought the condo.
What does it say about keys? If the papers you signed did not specifically require that you give the association your key, tell them NO. To the best of my knowledge, the association has no standing to ask for your key.
What is their reasoning for demanding a key?
The condo documents say "It is the responsibilty of the unit owner to allow Board of Directors, agents or employees to enter for the purpose of inspection, repair..." It further says the Association may retain a passkey.
I have no problem letting them in if need be with my permission but they told me they tried to get in a few months ago to inspect the fire alarms and noticed the locks were changed. What I don't like is they tried to get in without calling me. So I don't want to give them a key now.
What can they do if I refuse?
It does not have to be in the documents.
Florida law states that the association, by statute, has the irrevocable right of access to each individual condominium unit. There are restrictions such as it has to be during reasonable hours for the purpose of maintenac,e repair or replacement of common elements. The association needs access to affect emergency repairs.
Florida statutes 718,106 (3) and 718.111 (5) grants this access. You must be key-coded to a master key at the very least.