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Florida Statute 718.115 - Full Text and Legal Analysis
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The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title XL
REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
Chapter 718
CONDOMINIUMS
View Entire Chapter
F.S. 718.115
718.115 Common expenses and common surplus.
(1)(a) Common expenses include the expenses of the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, or protection of the common elements and association property, costs of carrying out the powers and duties of the association, and any other expense, whether or not included in the foregoing, designated as common expense by this chapter, the declaration, the documents creating the association, or the bylaws. Common expenses also include reasonable transportation services, insurance for directors and officers, road maintenance and operation expenses, in-house communications, and security services, which are reasonably related to the general benefit of the unit owners even if such expenses do not attach to the common elements or property of the condominium. However, such common expenses must either have been services or items provided on or after the date control of the association is transferred from the developer to the unit owners or must be services or items provided for in the condominium documents or bylaws. Unless the manner of payment or allocation of expenses is otherwise addressed in the declaration of condominium, the expenses of any items or services required by any federal, state, or local governmental entity to be installed, maintained, or supplied to the condominium property by the association, including, but not limited to, firesafety equipment or water and sewer service where a master meter serves the condominium, shall be common expenses whether or not such items or services are specifically identified as common expenses in the declaration of condominium, articles of incorporation, or bylaws of the association.
(b) The common expenses of a condominium within a multicondominium are the common expenses directly attributable to the operation of that condominium. The common expenses of a multicondominium association do not include the common expenses directly attributable to the operation of any specific condominium or condominiums within the multicondominium. This paragraph is intended to clarify existing law and applies to associations existing on the effective date of this act.
(c) The common expenses of a multicondominium association may include categories of expenses related to the property or common elements within a specific condominium in the multicondominium if such property or common elements are areas in which all members of the multicondominium association have use rights or from which all members receive tangible economic benefits. Such common expenses of the association shall be identified in the declaration or bylaws as originally recorded or as amended under the procedures provided therein of each condominium within the multicondominium association. This paragraph is intended to clarify existing law and applies to associations existing on the effective date of this act.
(d) If provided in the declaration, the cost of communications services as defined in chapter 202, information services, or Internet services obtained pursuant to a bulk contract is a common expense. If the declaration does not provide for the cost of such services as a common expense, the board may enter into such a contract, and the cost of the service will be a common expense. The cost for the services under a bulk rate contract may be allocated on a per-unit basis rather than a percentage basis if the declaration provides for other than an equal sharing of common expenses, and any contract entered into before July 1, 1998, in which the cost of the service is not equally divided among all unit owners, may be changed by vote of a majority of the voting interests present at a regular or special meeting of the association, to allocate the cost equally among all units. The contract must be for at least 2 years.
1. Any contract made by the board on or after July 1, 1998, may be canceled by a majority of the voting interests present at the next regular or special meeting of the association. Any member may make a motion to cancel the contract, but if no motion is made or if such motion fails to obtain the required majority at the next regular or special meeting, whichever occurs first, following the making of the contract, such contract shall be deemed ratified for the term therein expressed.
2. Such contract must provide, and is deemed to provide if not expressly set forth, that any hearing-impaired or legally blind unit owner who does not occupy the unit with a non-hearing-impaired or sighted person, or any unit owner receiving supplemental security income under Title XVI of the Social Security Act or food assistance as administered by the Department of Children and Families pursuant to s. 414.31, may discontinue the cable or video service without incurring disconnect fees, penalties, or subsequent service charges, and, as to such units, the owners are not required to pay any common expenses charge related to such service. If fewer than all members of an association share the expenses of cable or video service, the expense shall be shared equally by all participating unit owners. The association may use the provisions of s. 718.116 to enforce payment of the shares of such costs by the unit owners receiving cable or video service.
(e)1. Except as provided in s. 718.113(5)(d), if the installation of hurricane protection is the responsibility of the unit owners pursuant to the declaration of condominium or a vote of the unit owners under s. 718.113(5), the cost of the installation of hurricane protection by the association is not a common expense and must be charged individually to the unit owners based on the cost of installation of hurricane protection appurtenant to the unit. The costs of installation of hurricane protection are enforceable as an assessment and may be collected in the manner provided under s. 718.116.
2. Notwithstanding s. 718.116(9), and regardless of whether the declaration requires the association or unit owners to install, maintain, repair, or replace hurricane protection, the owner of a unit in which hurricane protection that complies with the current applicable building code has been installed is excused from any assessment levied by the association or shall receive a credit if the same type of hurricane protection is installed by the association. A credit is applicable if the installation of hurricane protection is for all other units that do not have hurricane protection and the cost of such installation is funded by the association’s budget, including the use of reserve funds. The credit must be equal to the amount that the unit owner would have been assessed to install the hurricane protection. However, such unit owner remains responsible for the pro rata share of expenses for hurricane protection installed on common elements and association property by the board pursuant to s. 718.113(5) and remains responsible for a pro rata share of the expense of the replacement, operation, repair, and maintenance of such hurricane protection. Expenses for the installation, replacement, operation, repair, or maintenance of hurricane protection on common elements and association property are common expenses.
(f) Common expenses include the costs of insurance acquired by the association under the authority of s. 718.111(11), including costs and contingent expenses required to participate in a self-insurance fund authorized and approved pursuant to s. 624.462.
(g) If any unpaid share of common expenses or assessments is extinguished by foreclosure of a superior lien or by a deed in lieu of foreclosure thereof, the unpaid share of common expenses or assessments are common expenses collectible from all the unit owners in the condominium in which the unit is located.
(2) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, funds for payment of the common expenses of a condominium shall be collected by assessments against the units in that condominium in the proportions or percentages provided in that condominium’s declaration. In a residential condominium, or mixed-use condominium created after January 1, 1996, each unit’s share of the common expenses of the condominium and common surplus of the condominium shall be the same as the unit’s appurtenant ownership interest in the common elements.
(3) Common surplus is owned by unit owners in the same shares as their ownership interest in the common elements.
(4)(a) Funds for payment of the common expenses of a condominium within a multicondominium shall be collected as provided in subsection (2). Common expenses of a multicondominium association shall be funded by assessments against all unit owners in the association in the proportion or percentage set forth in the declaration as required by s. 718.104(4)(h) or s. 718.110(12), as applicable.
(b) In a multicondominium association, the total common surplus owned by a unit owner consists of that owner’s share of the common surplus of the association plus that owner’s share of the common surplus of the condominium in which the owner’s unit is located, in the proportion or percentage set forth in the declaration as required by s. 718.104(4)(h) or s. 718.110(12), as applicable.
History.s. 1, ch. 76-222; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 7, ch. 84-368; s. 1, ch. 88-148; s. 11, ch. 90-151; s. 8, ch. 91-103; s. 3, ch. 91-116; ss. 5, 8, ch. 91-426; s. 5, ch. 92-49; s. 9, ch. 94-350; s. 3, ch. 96-396; s. 4, ch. 98-322; s. 55, ch. 2000-302; s. 11, ch. 2002-27; s. 5, ch. 2007-80; s. 10, ch. 2008-28; s. 4, ch. 2008-240; s. 11, ch. 2010-174; s. 40, ch. 2010-209; s. 5, ch. 2013-188; s. 283, ch. 2014-19; s. 11, ch. 2024-244; s. 34, ch. 2025-175.

F.S. 718.115 on Google Scholar

F.S. 718.115 on CourtListener

Amendments to 718.115


Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 718.115

Total Results: 29

Ocean Trail Unit Owners Ass'n v. Mead

650 So. 2d 4, 1994 WL 620851

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Nov 10, 1994 | Docket: 1346470

Cited 11 times | Published

against unit owners to pay for common expenses. § 718.115(2), Fla. Stat. (1987). Common expenses of the

Scudder v. Greenbrier C. Condo. Ass'n

663 So. 2d 1362, 1995 WL 701010

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 29, 1995 | Docket: 1313679

Cited 10 times | Published

Florida Legislature adopted an amendment to section 718.115(1), Florida Statutes, which became effective

Clearwater Key Ass'n-South Beach, Inc. v. Thacker

431 So. 2d 641

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 20, 1983 | Docket: 456153

Cited 8 times | Published

the common elements. ... . (Emphasis added) Section 718.115(2) reads in full: 718.115 Common expenses and

Suntide Condo. v. Div. of Fla. Land Sales Etc.

463 So. 2d 314, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 19

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 21, 1984 | Docket: 449018

Cited 7 times | Published

equally against each unit owner, in violation of section 718.115, Florida Statutes (1983). This is the second

Rothenberg v. Plymouth No. 5 Condo. Ass'n

511 So. 2d 651, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 1848

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 29, 1987 | Docket: 1338304

Cited 4 times | Published

owners. We answer in the negative and reverse. Section 718.115(1), Florida Statutes (1983), defines common

Suntide Condominium, Etc. v. Division, Etc.

409 So. 2d 65

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 12, 1982 | Docket: 151213

Cited 4 times | Published

prior to July 1, 1975, when the statute [now § 718.115] was amended to provide that common expenses must

Scudder v. GREENBRIER C CONDO. ASS'N, INC.

566 So. 2d 359, 1990 WL 126381

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 5, 1990 | Docket: 547504

Cited 3 times | Published

transportation may be included among common expenses. Section 718.115(1), Florida Statutes, provides: Common expenses

Island Manor Apts. v. Div. of Land Sales

515 So. 2d 1327, 1987 WL 1687

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 18, 1987 | Docket: 1749301

Cited 3 times | Published

Sales, Condominiums and Mobile Homes, that section 718.115(2), Florida Statutes (1985), which became effective

SUNTIDE CONDO. ASS'N, INC. v. Div. of Fla. Land Sales

504 So. 2d 1343, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 856

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 27, 1987 | Docket: 453623

Cited 3 times | Published

ownership interest in the common elements. See § 718.115(2), Fla. Stat. (1975). Subsequent litigation confirmed

In Re Spa at Sunset Isles Condominimum Ass'n, Inc.

454 B.R. 898, 2011 Bankr. LEXIS 2867, 55 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 66

United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | Filed: Jul 13, 2011 | Docket: 2062327

Cited 2 times | Published

718.115 and 718.303 of the Condominium Act. Section 718.115 provides in relevant part that "funds for payment

Coral Way Condominium Investments, Inc. v. 21/22 Condominium Ass'n

66 So. 3d 1038, 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 12098, 2011 WL 3300233

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 3, 2011 | Docket: 2361238

Cited 1 times | Published

expense by the association's declaration or bylaws. § 718.115(1), Fla. Stat. (2009). The common elements of

Cali v. Meadowbrook Lakes View Conominium Ass'n "B"

59 So. 3d 363, 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 6343, 2011 WL 1661408

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 4, 2011 | Docket: 60299703

Cited 1 times | Published

entitled to use the limited common elements. ... Section 718.115(l)(a) defines “Common expenses”: (l)(a) Common

Marco Island Cable, Inc. v. Comcast Cablevision of the South, Inc.

509 F. Supp. 2d 1158, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16597, 2007 WL 779108

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Mar 8, 2007 | Docket: 310153

Cited 1 times | Published

installation of the wiring. Additionally, Fla. Stat. § 718.115(1)(d) provides: If so provided in the declaration

KAREEN LECORPS AND JOHN BAPTISTE v. STAR LAKES ASSOCIATION, INC.

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 25, 2022 | Docket: 63335806

Published

upon unit owners to pay for common expenses. § 718.115(2), Fla. Stat. “Common expenses” are statutorily

Edward Michael Kelly v. Julie Duggan

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 23, 2019 | Docket: 16368643

Published

the shares of liability for common expenses); § 718.115(2), Fla. Stat. (2017) (providing that funds for

United States v. Forest Hill Gardens East Condominium Ass'n

990 F. Supp. 2d 1344, 2014 WL 28723, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 488

District Court, S.D. Florida | Filed: Jan 3, 2014 | Docket: 65996629

Published

term “common expenses” is defined broadly in section 718.115(l)(a) to encompass costs which benefit the

Colony Beach & Tennis Club, Ltd. v. Colony Beach & Tennis Club Ass'n

456 B.R. 545, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82225, 2011 WL 3169486

District Court, M.D. Florida | Filed: Jul 27, 2011 | Docket: 2067980

Published

expenses without a vote of the unit members. Section 718.115(1)(a), Florida Statutes, states that, "Common

In Re Maison Grande Condominium Ass'n, Inc.

425 B.R. 684, 72 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 575, 22 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. B 257, 63 Collier Bankr. Cas. 2d 872, 2010 Bankr. LEXIS 185, 52 Bankr. Ct. Dec. (CRR) 197

United States Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Florida. | Filed: Jan 13, 2010 | Docket: 2557905

Published

is an asset of the unit owners. See Fla. Stat. § 718.115(3) (renumbered from Fla. Stat. § 711.14(3) (1971))

Comcast of Florida, L.P. v. L'Ambiance Beach Condominium Ass'n

17 So. 3d 839, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 12525, 2009 WL 2601635

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 26, 2009 | Docket: 60249245

Published

maintained the system that it installed.3 Further, section 718.115(1)(d), Fla. Stat. (2002), provides that the

Carr v. Old Port Cove Property Owners Ass'n

8 So. 3d 403, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 2209, 2009 WL 690807

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 18, 2009 | Docket: 60305473

Published

the Agency was whether under § 718.111(2) and § 718.115 a Property Owners Association may engage in lobbying

Ago

Florida Attorney General Reports | Filed: Feb 23, 2009 | Docket: 3258192

Published

services is section 718.115, Florida Statutes, relating to common expenses. Pursuant to section 718.115(1)(a)

Eden Isles Condominium Ass'n v. Department of Business & Professional Regulations, Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums & Mobile Homes

1 So. 3d 291, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 196, 2009 WL 78015

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 14, 2009 | Docket: 1653630

Published

Declaration of Condominium, in violation of section 718.115(2), Florida Statutes (2005). The Administrative

Daytona Commercial I, L.C. v. Daytona Inn Beach Resort Condominium

911 So. 2d 273, 2005 Fla. App. LEXIS 15475, 2005 WL 2396627

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 30, 2005 | Docket: 64840450

Published

to the trial court’s attention, including section 718.115(2) and section 718.110(11), Florida Statutes

Shechtman v. Jockey Club III Ass'n

622 So. 2d 481, 1993 Fla. App. LEXIS 6207, 1993 WL 191956

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 8, 1993 | Docket: 64698132

Published

1986), review denied, 509 So.2d 1118 (Fla.1987); § 718.115(1), Fla. Stat. (1981).

Chmil v. Mediterranean Manors Ass'n

516 So. 2d 1109, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 2923, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 11638, 1987 WL 2885

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 18, 1987 | Docket: 64631540

Published

an interpretation is also consistent with section 718.115(2), Florida Statutes (1985), which provides

Chmil v. Mediterranean Manors Ass'n

516 So. 2d 1109, 12 Fla. L. Weekly 2923, 1987 Fla. App. LEXIS 11638, 1987 WL 2885

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 18, 1987 | Docket: 64631540

Published

an interpretation is also consistent with section 718.115(2), Florida Statutes (1985), which provides

Elbadramany v. Oceans Seven Condominium Ass'n

461 So. 2d 1001, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 3, 1984 Fla. App. LEXIS 16143

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 20, 1984 | Docket: 64609171

Published

not collectible from all the unit owners. Section 718.115(2) of the Florida Statutes (1983) requires

Point Management, Inc. v. Department of Business Regulation, Division of Florida Land Sales & Condominiums

449 So. 2d 306, 1984 Fla. App. LEXIS 12182

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 14, 1984 | Docket: 64604431

Published

and held the Associations in violation of Section 718.-115(2), Florida Statutes (1981), by paying the

Gallagher v. Seagate of Gulfstream Condominium Ass'n

423 So. 2d 640, 1983 Fla. App. LEXIS 18642

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 12, 1983 | Docket: 64594035

Published

expense pursuant to the definition stated in Section 718.115, Florida Statutes (1981). In the initial stage