In a story published by the Commercial Observer, Joseph M. Hernandez, who chairs the firm’s real estate practice group, discussed the development of multiple new high-rise condominiums structured to accommodate short-term rentals in the age of Airbnb and Vrbo. While there are local ordinances regulating short-term rentals, many homeowners are prohibited from renting out their condos, per the Homeowners Association rules.
Despite preventative HOA rules, many homeowners can’t resist renting out their idyllic ocean-side units. Joe, who represents the owners’ association at a 250-unit condominium, explained that the oceanfront community where the condo is located has gotten “a lot of cases where buildings that were meant to be apartments were actually becoming transient-use hotels, and it was leading to a lot of problems.” While citizens should follow rules and regulations related to Airbnb, developing a high-rise condo that has determined short-term rental rules from the start can minimize conflicts.
As a sought-after transactional real estate and business lawyer, Joe has developed a particular niche representing condominium associations and cooperative corporations being pursued by developers for acquisition of the units and termination of the condominium or cooperative. He coordinates a multi-disciplinary approach in order to counsel clients in navigating the myriad of legal issues faced by associations and unit owners in these situations. He also represents condominium associations, community associations, developers of condominium projects, and groups of unit owners in a variety of condominium law and community association matters, including turnovers, dispute resolution, casualties, and construction defects issues.
