Chapter 719 Section 504 - 2024 Florida Statutes

2024 Florida Statutes

Title XL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY

Chapter 719 COOPERATIVES

SECTION 504Prospectus or offering circular.

719.504 Prospectus or offering circular.—Every developer of a residential cooperative which contains more than 20 residential units, or which is part of a group of residential cooperatives which will be served by property to be used in common by unit owners of more than 20 residential units, shall prepare a prospectus or offering circular and file it with the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes prior to entering into an enforceable contract of purchase and sale of any unit or lease of a unit for more than 5 years and shall furnish a copy of the prospectus or offering circular to each buyer. In addition to the prospectus or offering circular, each buyer shall be furnished a separate page entitled “Frequently Asked Questions and Answers,” which must be in accordance with a format approved by the division. This page must, in readable language: inform prospective purchasers regarding their voting rights and unit use restrictions, including restrictions on the leasing of a unit; indicate whether and in what amount the unit owners or the association is obligated to pay rent or land use fees for recreational or other commonly used facilities; contain a statement identifying that amount of assessment which, pursuant to the budget, would be levied upon each unit type, exclusive of any special assessments, and which identifies the basis upon which assessments are levied, whether monthly, quarterly, or otherwise; state and identify any court cases in which the association is currently a party of record in which the association may face liability in excess of $100,000; and state whether membership in a recreational facilities association is mandatory and, if so, identify the fees currently charged per unit type. The division shall by rule require such other disclosure as in its judgment will assist prospective purchasers. The prospectus or offering circular may include more than one cooperative, although not all such units are being offered for sale as of the date of the prospectus or offering circular. The prospectus or offering circular must contain the following information:

(1) The front cover or the first page must contain only:

(a) The name of the cooperative.

(b) The following statements in conspicuous type:

1. THIS PROSPECTUS (OFFERING CIRCULAR) CONTAINS IMPORTANT MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ACQUIRING A COOPERATIVE UNIT.

2. THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE ONLY SUMMARY IN NATURE. A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER SHOULD REFER TO ALL REFERENCES, ALL EXHIBITS HERETO, THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, AND SALES MATERIALS.

3. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING THE REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DEVELOPER. REFER TO THIS PROSPECTUS (OFFERING CIRCULAR) AND ITS EXHIBITS FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS.

(2) Summary: The next page must contain all statements required to be in conspicuous type in the prospectus or offering circular.

(3) A separate index of the contents and exhibits of the prospectus.

(4) Beginning on the first page of the text (not including the summary and index), a description of the cooperative, including, but not limited to, the following information:

(a) Its name and location.

(b) A description of the cooperative property, including, without limitation:

1. The number of buildings, the number of units in each building, the number of bathrooms and bedrooms in each unit, and the total number of units, if the cooperative is not a phase cooperative; or, if the cooperative is a phase cooperative, the maximum number of buildings that may be contained within the cooperative, the minimum and maximum number of units in each building, the minimum and maximum number of bathrooms and bedrooms that may be contained in each unit, and the maximum number of units that may be contained within the cooperative.

2. The page in the cooperative documents where a copy of the survey and plot plan of the cooperative is located.

3. The estimated latest date of completion of constructing, finishing, and equipping. In lieu of a date, a statement that the estimated date of completion of the cooperative is in the purchase agreement and a reference to the article or paragraph containing that information.

(c) The maximum number of units that will use facilities in common with the cooperative. If the maximum number of units will vary, a description of the basis for variation and the minimum amount of dollars per unit to be spent for additional recreational facilities or enlargement of such facilities. If the addition or enlargement of facilities will result in a material increase of a unit owner’s maintenance expense or rental expense, if any, the maximum increase and limitations thereon shall be stated.

(5)(a) A statement in conspicuous type describing whether the cooperative is created and being sold as fee simple interests or as leasehold interests. If the cooperative is created or being sold on a leasehold, the location of the lease in the disclosure materials shall be stated.

(b) If timeshare estates are or may be created with respect to any unit in the cooperative, a statement in conspicuous type stating that timeshare estates are created and being sold in such specified units in the cooperative.

(6) A description of the recreational and other common areas that will be used only by unit owners of the cooperative, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) Each room and its intended purposes, location, approximate floor area, and capacity in numbers of people.

(b) Each swimming pool, as to its general location, approximate size and depths, approximate deck size and capacity, and whether heated.

(c) Additional facilities, as to the number of each facility, its approximate location, approximate size, and approximate capacity.

(d) A general description of the items of personal property and the approximate number of each item of personal property that the developer is committing to furnish for each room or other facility or, in the alternative, a representation as to the minimum amount of expenditure that will be made to purchase the personal property for the facility.

(e) The estimated date when each room or other facility will be available for use by the unit owners.

(f)1. An identification of each room or other facility to be used by unit owners that will not be owned by the unit owners or the association;

2. A reference to the location in the disclosure materials of the lease or other agreements providing for the use of those facilities; and

3. A description of the terms of the lease or other agreements, including the length of the term; the rent payable, directly or indirectly, by each unit owner, and the total rent payable to the lessor, stated in monthly and annual amounts for the entire term of the lease; and a description of any option to purchase the property leased under any such lease, including the time the option may be exercised, the purchase price or how it is to be determined, the manner of payment, and whether the option may be exercised for a unit owner’s share or only as to the entire leased property.

(g) A statement as to whether the developer may provide additional facilities not described above, their general locations and types, improvements or changes that may be made, the approximate dollar amount to be expended, and the maximum additional common expense or cost to the individual unit owners that may be charged during the first annual period of operation of the modified or added facilities.

Descriptions as to locations, areas, capacities, numbers, volumes, or sizes may be stated as approximations or minimums.

(7) A description of the recreational and other facilities that will be used in common with other cooperatives, community associations, or planned developments which require the payment of the maintenance and expenses of such facilities, directly or indirectly, by the unit owners. The description shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) Each building and facility committed to be built and a summary description of the structural integrity of each building for which reserves are required pursuant to s. 719.106(1)(k).

(b) Facilities not committed to be built except under certain conditions, and a statement of those conditions or contingencies.

(c) As to each facility committed to be built, or which will be committed to be built upon the happening of one of the conditions in paragraph (b), a statement of whether it will be owned by the unit owners having the use thereof or by an association or other entity which will be controlled by them, or others, and the location in the exhibits of the lease or other document providing for use of those facilities.

(d) The year in which each facility will be available for use by the unit owners or, in the alternative, the maximum number of unit owners in the project at the time each of all of the facilities is committed to be completed.

(e) A general description of the items of personal property, and the approximate number of each item of personal property, that the developer is committing to furnish for each room or other facility or, in the alternative, a representation as to the minimum amount of expenditure that will be made to purchase the personal property for the facility.

(f) If there are leases, a description thereof, including the length of the term, the rent payable, and a description of any option to purchase.

Descriptions shall include location, areas, capacities, numbers, volumes, or sizes and may be stated as approximations or minimums.

(8) Recreation lease or associated club membership:

(a) If any recreational facilities or other common areas offered by the developer and available to, or to be used by, unit owners are to be leased or have club membership associated, the following statement in conspicuous type shall be included: THERE IS A RECREATIONAL FACILITIES LEASE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COOPERATIVE; or, THERE IS A CLUB MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COOPERATIVE. There shall be a reference to the location in the disclosure materials where the recreation lease or club membership is described in detail.

(b) If it is mandatory that unit owners pay a fee, rent, dues, or other charges under a recreational facilities lease or club membership for the use of facilities, there shall be in conspicuous type the applicable statement:

1. MEMBERSHIP IN THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES CLUB IS MANDATORY FOR UNIT OWNERS; or

2. UNIT OWNERS ARE REQUIRED, AS A CONDITION OF OWNERSHIP, TO BE LESSEES UNDER THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES LEASE; or

3. UNIT OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THEIR SHARE OF THE COSTS AND EXPENSES OF MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, UPKEEP, REPLACEMENT, RENT, AND FEES UNDER THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES LEASE (OR THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS PROVIDING THE FACILITIES); or

4. A similar statement of the nature of the organization or manner in which the use rights are created, and that unit owners are required to pay.

Immediately following the applicable statement, the location in the disclosure materials where the development is described in detail shall be stated.

(c) If the developer, or any other person other than the unit owners and other persons having use rights in the facilities, reserves, or is entitled to receive, any rent, fee, or other payment for the use of the facilities, then there shall be the following statement in conspicuous type: THE UNIT OWNERS OR THE ASSOCIATION(S) MUST PAY RENT OR LAND USE FEES FOR RECREATIONAL OR OTHER COMMON AREAS. Immediately following this statement, the location in the disclosure materials where the rent or land use fees are described in detail shall be stated.

(d) If, in any recreation format, whether leasehold, club, or other, any person other than the association has the right to a lien on the units to secure the payment of assessments, rent, or other exactions, there shall appear a statement in conspicuous type in substantially the following form:

1. THERE IS A LIEN OR LIEN RIGHT AGAINST EACH UNIT TO SECURE THE PAYMENT OF RENT AND OTHER EXACTIONS UNDER THE RECREATION LEASE. THE UNIT OWNER’S FAILURE TO MAKE THESE PAYMENTS MAY RESULT IN FORECLOSURE OF THE LIEN; or

2. THERE IS A LIEN OR LIEN RIGHT AGAINST EACH UNIT TO SECURE THE PAYMENT OF ASSESSMENTS OR OTHER EXACTIONS COMING DUE FOR THE USE, MAINTENANCE, UPKEEP, OR REPAIR OF THE RECREATIONAL OR COMMONLY USED AREAS. THE UNIT OWNER’S FAILURE TO MAKE THESE PAYMENTS MAY RESULT IN FORECLOSURE OF THE LIEN.

Immediately following the applicable statement, the location in the disclosure materials where the lien or lien right is described in detail shall be stated.

(9) If the developer or any other person has the right to increase or add to the recreational facilities at any time after the establishment of the cooperative whose unit owners have use rights therein, without the consent of the unit owners or associations being required, there shall appear a statement in conspicuous type in substantially the following form: RECREATIONAL FACILITIES MAY BE EXPANDED OR ADDED WITHOUT CONSENT OF UNIT OWNERS OR THE ASSOCIATION(S). Immediately following this statement, the location in the disclosure materials where such reserved rights are described shall be stated.

(10) A statement of whether the developer’s plan includes a program of leasing units rather than selling them, or leasing units and selling them subject to such leases. If so, there shall be a description of the plan, including the number and identification of the units and the provisions and term of the proposed leases, and a statement in boldfaced type that: THE UNITS MAY BE TRANSFERRED SUBJECT TO A LEASE.

(11) The arrangements for management of the association and maintenance and operation of the cooperative property and of other property that will serve the unit owners of the cooperative property, and a description of the management contract and all other contracts for these purposes having a term in excess of 1 year, including the following:

(a) The names of contracting parties.

(b) The term of the contract.

(d) The compensation, stated on a monthly and annual basis, and provisions for increases in the compensation.

(e) A reference to the volumes and pages of the cooperative documents and of the exhibits containing copies of such contracts.

Copies of all described contracts shall be attached as exhibits. If there is a contract for the management of the cooperative property, then a statement in conspicuous type in substantially the following form shall appear, identifying the proposed or existing contract manager: THERE IS (IS TO BE) A CONTRACT FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COOPERATIVE PROPERTY WITH (NAME OF THE CONTRACT MANAGER). Immediately following this statement, the location in the disclosure materials of the contract for management of the cooperative property shall be stated.

(12) If the developer or any other person or persons other than the unit owners has the right to retain control of the board of administration of the association for a period of time which can exceed 1 year after the closing of the sale of a majority of the units in that cooperative to persons other than successors or alternate developers, then a statement in conspicuous type in substantially the following form shall be included: THE DEVELOPER (OR OTHER PERSON) HAS THE RIGHT TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE ASSOCIATION AFTER A MAJORITY OF THE UNITS HAVE BEEN SOLD. Immediately following this statement, the location in the disclosure materials where this right to control is described in detail shall be stated.

(13) If there are any restrictions upon the sale, transfer, conveyance, or leasing of a unit, then a statement in conspicuous type in substantially the following form shall be included: THE SALE, LEASE, OR TRANSFER OF UNITS IS RESTRICTED OR CONTROLLED. Immediately following this statement, the location in the disclosure materials where the restriction, limitation, or control on the sale, lease, or transfer of units is described in detail shall be stated.

(14) If the cooperative is part of a phase project, the following shall be stated:

(a) A statement in conspicuous type in substantially the following form shall be included: THIS IS A PHASE COOPERATIVE. ADDITIONAL LAND AND UNITS MAY BE ADDED TO THIS COOPERATIVE. Immediately following this statement, the location in the disclosure materials where the phasing is described shall be stated.

(b) A summary of the provisions of the declaration providing for the phasing.

(c) A statement as to whether or not residential buildings and units which are added to the cooperative may be substantially different from the residential buildings and units originally in the cooperative, and, if the added residential buildings and units may be substantially different, there shall be a general description of the extent to which such added residential buildings and units may differ, and a statement in conspicuous type in substantially the following form shall be included: BUILDINGS AND UNITS WHICH ARE ADDED TO THE COOPERATIVE MAY BE SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER BUILDINGS AND UNITS IN THE COOPERATIVE. Immediately following this statement, the location in the disclosure materials where the extent to which added residential buildings and units may substantially differ is described shall be stated.

(d) A statement of the maximum number of buildings containing units, the maximum and minimum number of units in each building, the maximum number of units, and the minimum and maximum square footage of the units that may be contained within each parcel of land which may be added to the cooperative.

(15) If the cooperative is created by conversion of existing improvements, the following information shall be stated:

(a) The information required by s. 719.616.

(b) A caveat that there are no express warranties unless they are stated in writing by the developer.

(16) A summary of the restrictions, if any, to be imposed on units concerning the use of any of the cooperative property, including statements as to whether there are restrictions upon children and pets, and reference to the volumes and pages of the cooperative documents where such restrictions are found, or if such restrictions are contained elsewhere, then a copy of the documents containing the restrictions shall be attached as an exhibit.

(17) If there is any land that is offered by the developer for use by the unit owners and that is neither owned by them nor leased to them, the association, or any entity controlled by unit owners and other persons having the use rights to such land, a statement shall be made as to how such land will serve the cooperative. If any part of such land will serve the cooperative, the statement shall describe the land and the nature and term of service, and the cooperative documents or other instrument creating such servitude shall be included as an exhibit.

(18) The manner in which utility and other services, including, but not limited to, sewage and waste disposal, water supply, and storm drainage, will be provided and the person or entity furnishing them.

(19) An explanation of the manner in which the apportionment of common expenses and ownership of the common areas have been determined.

(20) An estimated operating budget for the cooperative and the association, and a schedule of the unit owner’s expenses shall be attached as an exhibit and shall contain the following information:

(a) The estimated monthly and annual expenses of the cooperative and the association that are collected from unit owners by assessments.

(b) The estimated monthly and annual expenses of each unit owner for a unit, other than assessments payable to the association, payable by the unit owner to persons or entities other than the association, and the total estimated monthly and annual expense. There may be excluded from this estimate expenses that are personal to unit owners, which are not uniformly incurred by all unit owners, or which are not provided for or contemplated by the cooperative documents, including, but not limited to, the costs of private telephone; maintenance of the interior of cooperative units, which is not the obligation of the association; maid or janitorial services privately contracted for by the unit owners; utility bills billed directly to each unit owner for utility services to his or her unit; insurance premiums other than those incurred for policies obtained by the cooperative; and similar personal expenses of the unit owner. A unit owner’s estimated payments for assessments shall also be stated in the estimated amounts for the times when they will be due.

(c) The estimated items of expenses of the cooperative and the association, except as excluded under paragraph (b), including, but not limited to, the following items, which shall be stated as an association expense collectible by assessments or as unit owners’ expenses payable to persons other than the association:

1. Expenses for the association and cooperative:

a. Administration of the association.

b. Management fees.

c. Maintenance.

d. Rent for recreational and other commonly used areas.

e. Taxes upon association property.

f. Taxes upon leased areas.

g. Insurance.

h. Security provisions.

i. Other expenses.

j. Operating capital.

k. Reserves for all applicable items referenced in s. 719.106(1)(k).

l. Fee payable to the division.

2. Expenses for a unit owner:

a. Rent for the unit, if subject to a lease.

b. Rent payable by the unit owner directly to the lessor or agent under any recreational lease or lease for the use of commonly used areas, which use and payment are a mandatory condition of ownership and are not included in the common expense or assessments for common maintenance paid by the unit owners to the association.

(d) The following statement in conspicuous type: THE BUDGET CONTAINED IN THIS OFFERING CIRCULAR HAS BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COOPERATIVE ACT AND IS A GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE ONLY AND REPRESENTS AN APPROXIMATION OF FUTURE EXPENSES BASED ON FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES EXISTING AT THE TIME OF ITS PREPARATION. ACTUAL COSTS OF SUCH ITEMS MAY EXCEED THE ESTIMATED COSTS. SUCH CHANGES IN COST DO NOT CONSTITUTE MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGES IN THE OFFERING.

(e) Each budget for an association prepared by a developer consistent with this subsection shall be prepared in good faith and shall reflect accurate estimated amounts for the required items in paragraph (c) at the time of the filing of the offering circular with the division, and subsequent increased amounts of any item included in the association’s estimated budget that are beyond the control of the developer shall not be considered an amendment that would give rise to rescission rights set forth in s. 719.503(1)(a) or (b), nor shall such increases modify, void, or otherwise affect any guarantee of the developer contained in the offering circular or any purchase contract. It is the intent of this paragraph to clarify existing law.

(f) The estimated amounts shall be stated for a period of at least 12 months and may distinguish between the period prior to the time unit owners other than the developer elect a majority of the board of administration and the period after that date.

(21) A schedule of estimated closing expenses to be paid by a buyer or lessee of a unit and a statement of whether title opinion or title insurance policy is available to the buyer and, if so, at whose expense.

(22) The identity of the developer and the chief operating officer or principal directing the creation and sale of the cooperative and a statement of its and his or her experience in this field.

(23) Copies of the following, to the extent they are applicable, shall be included as exhibits:

(a) The cooperative documents, or the proposed cooperative documents if the documents have not been recorded.

(b) The articles of incorporation creating the association.

(d) The ground lease or other underlying lease of the cooperative.

(e) The management agreement and all maintenance and other contracts for management of the association and operation of the cooperative and facilities used by the unit owners having a service term in excess of 1 year.

(f) The estimated operating budget for the cooperative and the required schedule of unit owners’ expenses.

(g) A copy of the floor plan of the unit and the plot plan showing the location of the residential buildings and the recreation and other common areas.

(h) The lease of recreational and other facilities that will be used only by unit owners of the subject cooperative.

(i) The lease of facilities used by owners and others.

(j) The form of unit lease, if the offer is of a leasehold.

(k) A declaration of servitude of properties serving the cooperative but not owned by unit owners or leased to them or the association.

(l) The statement of condition of the existing building or buildings, if the offering is of units in an operation being converted to cooperative ownership.

(m) The statement of inspection for termite damage and treatment of the existing improvements, if the cooperative is a conversion.

(n) The form of agreement for sale or lease of units.

(o) A copy of the agreement for escrow of payments made to the developer prior to closing.

(p) A copy of the documents containing any restrictions on use of the property required by subsection (16).

(q) A copy of the inspector-prepared summary of the milestone inspection report as described in ss. 553.899 and 719.301(4)(p), if applicable.

(r) The association’s most recent structural integrity reserve study or a statement that the association has not completed a structural integrity reserve study.

(24) Any prospectus or offering circular complying with the provisions of former ss. 711.69 and 711.802 may continue to be used without amendment, or may be amended to comply with this chapter.

(25) A brief narrative description of the location and effect of all existing and intended easements located or to be located on the cooperative property other than those in the declaration.

(26) If the developer is required by state or local authorities to obtain acceptance or approval of any dock or marina facility intended to serve the cooperative, a copy of such acceptance or approval acquired by the time of filing with the division pursuant to s. 719.502 or a statement that such acceptance has not been acquired or received.

(27) Evidence demonstrating that the developer has an ownership, leasehold, or contractual interest in the land upon which the cooperative is to be developed.

History.—s. 2, ch. 76-222; s. 1, ch. 77-174; s. 13, ch. 79-284; s. 11, ch. 80-3; s. 13, ch. 85-60; s. 35, ch. 86-175; s. 31, ch. 92-49; s. 60, ch. 95-211; s. 887, ch. 97-102; s. 7, ch. 2000-302; s. 15, ch. 2007-80; s. 59, ch. 2008-240; s. 19, ch. 2022-269; s. 17, ch. 2023-203.