Last week marked the 3rd annual Florida-FriendlyLandscaping (FFL) in the Planned Community information session organized by Claire Lewis, UF/IFAS FFL Statewide Coordinator.
The Issue
UF/IFAS research has well established that homeowner
association (HOA)-controlled communities often face internal obstacles when it comes to
implementing resource-efficient practices. HOAs encouraging excessive watering for perfect lawns is one thing, but bringing landscaping disputes to court is quite another.
Believe it or not this happens rather often around Florida and this FFL event was
aimed at bringing together stakeholders to review case studies and consider
alternatives to costly court proceedings when choosing to make your yard
Florida-friendly.
Experts Afoot
“Make sure that you’ve gone through the covenants and
restrictions of your community so you know what they expect,” said real estate
broker Jeannette Moore.
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| Jeannette Moore presents on homeowner vs. HOA case studies |
Ms. Moore reviewed several case studies during the
event to offer insight into what exactly happens when homeowners take on HOAs.
Ms. Moore also maintains a popular FFL-oriented Facebook page.
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| "Most associations are smart enough to realize this isn't a good case to litigate." - Barbara Stage, ESQ. |
Orlando-based attorney Barbara Stage also attended. Ms.
Stage underscored how litigation should be the last resort in FFL disputes, as
cases can drag on for years and costs can be exorbitant.
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| The 9 Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles |
The Takeaway
