Boards push on fee collection

Financially embattled condominium boards are doing all they can to get what’s due to them, some going as far as bringing in renters to pay off the owner’s unpaid balances, according to the Miami Herald. The board at the Jade Residences at Brickell Bay, a luxury condo of 341 units, wants permission to rent vacant units belonging to owners who aren’t facing foreclosure but are behind on fees. Ben Solomon, an attorney who helps condo associations in collection efforts, thinks forced rentals are a bad idea. He said it would be short-sighted to try to get a little extra income and be sued by a debtor for illegally entering, renting out or otherwise using their unit. About 50 units at Jade are vacant and the association is running a $100,000 average monthly deficit.