Inspection of records by members

Common Elements summary — Section 617.1602 gives every member of a Florida nonprofit corporation the right to inspect and copy any of the records listed in 617.1601, at a reasonable time and on five business days' written notice describing with reasonable particularity the records the member wants to see and the purpose. The corporation may impose a reasonable charge for the cost of copies. For HOA and COA boards this section provides the corporate-law backstop to the member-records right in 718.111(12) and 720.303(5). The chapter-specific rules generally control where they conflict (they typically require faster turnaround and impose statutory damages for refusal), but 617.1602 fills any gap. The trap for boards: the right is broad. "Reasonable particularity" is a low bar. Refusing access because the member's purpose seems unfriendly, or because the board is annoyed, is the fastest way to convert a paperwork dispute into a damages claim with attorney's fees on top. When in doubt, produce — and let your attorney draft any narrowing letter that goes with the production.

Not legal advice. Click through to the official source for statutory text.