Florida · Chapter 719
Cooperative Act — Plain-English Summary
Official title: Cooperatives. Translated into plain English for board members and homeowners.
General Provisions
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§719.101
Names Chapter 719 the 'Cooperative Act.'
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§719.102
Recognizes the cooperative form of ownership and sets purposes for the chapter.
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§719.103
Defines key terms used in Chapter 719.
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§719.1035
Sets formation requirements for a cooperative.
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§719.104
Required access to units, owner access to official records, financial reporting, and assessment procedures.
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§719.105
Sets owner rights of possession and quiet enjoyment subject to the cooperative documents.
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§719.1055
Sets the procedure to amend cooperative documents and to alter or acquire association property.
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§719.106
Required and permitted bylaw content.
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§719.1064
If vacancies leave the board below quorum, any member may petition the circuit court to appoint a receiver.
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§719.1065
Anyone acting under power of attorney must still comply with Chapter 719.
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§719.107
Defines common expenses and how the association assesses unit owners.
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§719.108
Establishes the association's lien for unpaid rents and assessments, priority, interest, and the safe harbor capping first mortgagee liability.
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§719.1085
Association must issue an estoppel certificate within 10 business days.
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§719.109
Owners have the right to assemble peaceably and speak at meetings.
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§719.110
Cooperatives are classified as residential property for local zoning ordinances.
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§719.111
Structure, board powers and duties, records, budgets, financial reporting, insurance, and meeting procedures.
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§719.112
Limits when construction liens can attach to a unit for work on common elements.
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§719.1124
If vacancies leave the board below quorum, any owner may petition the circuit court to appoint a receiver.
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§719.114
Lists association powers including entering into agreements, acquiring property, and making rules.
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§719.115
Requires annual financial reports with level depending on revenue thresholds.
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§719.1255
Sets mandatory presuit mediation and binding arbitration for election and recall disputes.
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§719.127
Requires notification to members within 10 business days when a receiver is appointed.
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§719.128
When the governor declares an emergency, the board can hold meetings with less notice and contract for emergency repairs.
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§719.129
Authorizes online voting if the board adopts a resolution, owners opt in, and the system meets security requirements.
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§719.131
Bars associations from prohibiting law enforcement officers from parking their assigned vehicles at their unit.
Rights and Obligations of Developers
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§719.202
Sets escrow rules for sales or reservation deposits.
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§719.203
Implied warranties from the developer and contractor.
Rights and Obligations of Association
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§719.301
Triggers turnover of board control and authorizes the association to bring construction defect claims after turnover.
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§719.303
Sets owner obligations. Fines require notice and committee approval.
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§719.304
Procedure for recalling a board member.
Special Types of Cooperatives
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§719.401
Sets requirements for cooperatives where the land is leased.
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§719.403
Procedures for converting existing rental improvements into a cooperative.
Regulation and Disclosure
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§719.501
The Division regulates cooperatives, with investigation, enforcement, and rulemaking authority.
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§719.503
Required developer disclosures to buyers before sale.
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§719.504
Required contents of the developer's prospectus or offering circular.
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§719.508
Filing and enforcement powers of the Division over cooperative developers and associations.
Conversions to Cooperative
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§719.604
Applies Part VI to conversions of existing rental property to a cooperative.
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§719.622
Requires the converter to disclose building condition and estimated replacement costs.
Frequently asked about Chapter 719
- What is Florida Chapter 719?
- Florida Chapter 719 — the Cooperative Act — is the body of law that governs how every Florida co-op is structured, operated, and held accountable. It covers governance, voting, records, assessments, fining, and most of the day-to-day legal questions a board will face.
- How many sections are in Chapter 719?
- Chapter 719 contains 38 sections in this reference. Each is summarized in plain English on its own page, with links to the official text at flsenate.gov.
- Is the summary on this site legal advice?
- No. These pages are plain-English summaries prepared by SoShiny for board members and managers. For binding legal advice or interpretation of how a section applies to your specific situation, consult a Florida-licensed attorney.
- How often does Florida Chapter 719 change?
- The Florida Legislature can amend any chapter in any session. We update these summaries when we re-import the official text — see the 'Last updated' date on each section page.
- Does SoShiny enforce Chapter 719 for me?
- No software 'enforces' a statute — but SoShiny is built around it. Voting, meeting minutes, records access, fining workflow, and audit trails are designed to meet this body of law's requirements out of the box, so the board can demonstrate good-faith compliance if challenged.
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