How Condo Association Approval Works for Renters in South Florida
By Zach Curtis, licensed agent, Realty Hub, SL3664129. Updated October 18, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
A large share of rentals in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood and nearby cities are individually owned condo units. In many of those buildings, the landlord approving you is only step one: the condo association may also need to approve you before you can move in. Here is how that works.
Why associations approve renters
Each condominium has a declaration and bylaws (its governing documents). Many give the association the right to review and approve leases and tenants. The rules are building-specific: some buildings require approval, some only require registration, and some limit how often a unit can be leased or require a minimum lease length.
What the association application usually includes
- A separate association application for each adult occupant, plus a copy of the signed lease or lease offer.
- Photo ID, and often a background check. Some associations also run credit.
- Vehicle and pet information, and an acknowledgment of the building rules.
- An application fee. Florida law (section 718.112(2)(k), Florida Statutes) lets an association charge an approval fee only if its documents provide for one, caps it per applicant (spouses, or parents and dependent children, count as one applicant), adjusts the cap for inflation every 5 years, and bars a charge for renewing a lease with the same tenant. Ask the association for its current fee.
- Sometimes a security deposit held by the association. Under the same section, an association may require one, up to one month's rent and held in an association escrow account, if its documents permit it.
- Some buildings require an in-person or video interview or orientation.
How long it takes
The timeline is set by each building's documents and how often the board or management reviews applications. Some approve within days; others take several weeks, especially when the board meets only occasionally. Ask for the expected timeline before you sign, and do not give notice at your current place until you know it.
How to avoid delays
- Ask your agent, before you apply, whether the building requires approval, how long it takes, and what it costs.
- Submit the association application the same day the lease is signed or the landlord approves you. Missing pages are the most common cause of delay.
- Answer the management office quickly if they ask for anything else, and confirm your interview or orientation date.
- Do not schedule movers until you have the approval in writing.
- Pets: confirm the building's pet rules before applying. Requests for assistance animals are reviewed under fair housing rules, not the pet policy.
Approval rules are about the applicant's paperwork and screening criteria applied equally to everyone. Associations and landlords may not deny or treat you differently based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status.
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