Leadership in a condominium association has a direct impact on the safety and success of the entire community. While experience is valuable, staying in a leadership role too long can sometimes hinder growth, transparency and innovation. That’s where term limits come in.
Florida’s Condominium Act recognizes the value of fresh leadership and introduced term limit laws in 2018 to help encourage broader participation and prevent stagnation. Let’s dive into why term limits are important for condo associations and what benefits they bring to your community.
What Are Term Limits?
Under Fla. Stat. §718.112(2)(d)2., board members may serve no more than eight consecutive years, unless there are not enough eligible candidates to fill open seats or the member is re-elected by at least two-thirds of the total votes cast.
This law applies to condominium associations (not HOAs) and aims to balance experience with accountability and renewal.
Why Term Limits Are Beneficial to Condo Associations
It can be easy to think of limitations as a negative thing, but limitations are in place for many leadership roles because they provide benefits to the given community. For Florida condo association in particular, this includes:
- Promotion of new ideas and fresh perspectives – Long-term leadership can sometimes result in “business as usual” thinking. Term limits encourage new voices to step forward, and this in turn brings different experiences, ideas and priorities to the fold that may better reflect the current needs of the community.
- Increased owner engagement – When board seats open regularly, homeowners feel more encouraged to get involved. Term limits help boost owner participation and prevent the perception of a board being “closed off” or dominated by a small inner circle.
- Power imbalance prevention – Without term limits, long-serving board members can gain disproportionate control over decision-making, which could lead to governance issues or even conflicts of interest. Rotating leadership helps keep power in check and fosters transparency.
- Better succession planning – Knowing that board terms are limited, associations are more likely to train and mentor future leaders, and this helps strengthen long-term governance and resilience.
- Reduced burnout – Even the most dedicated board members can burn out. Term limits give volunteers a natural off-ramp to rest, recharge and possibly return later with renewed energy.
Balancing Continuity and Change
Term limits don’t mean experienced board members are lost forever; they simply encourage healthy turnover. Longtime members can still contribute by serving on committees, mentoring new directors or even running again after taking a break.
By ensuring regular rotation on the board, your community can stay adaptable, engaged and better prepared for the challenges ahead. If you have questions about how term limits apply in your community or updating your bylaws to reflect Florida law, contact the team at Dania Fernandez & Associates, P.A. today.
