Going to court can cost you money.
Mediation costs money, too, but less.
When Florida homeowners violate restrictions, association boards look for ways to persuade them to comply. If these persuasions don’t work, court previously was the only solution up until 2004. That’s when the legislature passed a law requiring mediation before court.
When this solution first came about in 2004 the cost was high and the process was more difficult to begin. Those stumbling blocks were pushed aside in a 2007 revision of the statute. Mediation is still required but now an association can go directly to the homeowner with their request.
Afterwards, the homeowner, in turn, has 20 days to agree to the voluntary mediation before a court action can be filed. The cost of the mediation is evenly divided, but this can be negotiated.
This seems to work out great for everyone involved except for the lawyer who doesn’t get to charge for his billable hours hahaha!
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