MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM

To help Floridians strengthen their homes against hurricanes, the florida Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program will offer matching grants of up to $5,000 for specific home improvements identified in a free State home inspection report.  To be eligible for a free State inspection, you must have: (1) a single-family, site-built home, (2) valid homestead exemption and (3) your home must have an insured value of not more than $500,000. Mobile and manufactured homes are not eligible.  The progam is also available to unit owners in a residential building of up to four units, but all homeowners must agree to participate in the program. If interested, please go to the State's Website at www.mysafefloridahome.com. The State only set aside enough money to serve 12,000 homes this year and hopes to serve up to 50,000 homes next year. The early bird gets the hurricane shutter. 

Courtesy of the Law Offices of Kevin T. Wells, P.A. 22 S. Links Avenue, Suite 301 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-9191  FAX: 941-366-9292, (kevinwells@mindspring.com) from The Board's Bulletin. The information set forth in the Bulletin is general and summary in nature. The bulletin is not intended as specific legal advice applicable to your association or issue.  If you have questions concerning the content of the above information as it applies to your facts or situation, please contact Kevin T. Wells, Esq. In addition, the principles of law cited in this bulletin are subject to change from time to time.

CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY INSURANCE REFUNDS

Citizens Insurance will introduce a rate reduction of at least 5 percent (due to Cat(astrophe) Fund changes) for personal and commercial (condominium) residential policies beginning in March 2007.  Citizens' policyholders who paid a higher rate in 2007 (new or renewal business) prior to the rate reduction will receive a refund check or premium credit.  How this refund check or premium credit is going to be calculated for commercial (condominium) residential policies is not known at this time. 

A personal residential insurance policy provides coverage for risks including condominium unit owners.

The new legislation (Emergency Rule 69OER07-1) requires a rollback to rates Citizens was charging on December 31, 2006 (increased rates were effective January 1, 2007) personal residential policyholders but NOT commercial residential (condominium) policies. Commercial residential (condominium) policies are promised to be eligible for AT LEAST a 5 percent rate reduction.  In other words, there will be a rate reduction for condominium policies but the amount is not known at this time.                              Charles W. Harris, Director, Contracts Administration

CHINCH BUG TREATMENT

It is reported that commercial landscapers are restricted from using Durzban, the most powerful chemical for Chinch Bug, as it has been banned from commercial use.  However, homeowners can use it but must apply it themselves. Most nurseries or agricultural supply stores should carry Durzban.  The proper way to apply any chemical for Chinch Bug is as soon as you see the brown dead grass, apply chemical to the spot and in an area ten feet around the infected area.  This will help kill the bugs as they attempt to escape.  

Last year was the worst outbreak for Chinch Bug in history.  The best policy is treating them at once to keep them from spreading. There is no guarantee when it comes to these pests but by working together, we can hope to control the spread of a problem and keep it small rather than letting it spread any further.

05/23/07  Jim Zerilla, Maintenance Mgr. Design Scapes of ManaSota, Inc. (with permission)