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Common Elements is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. Plain-English summaries, topic guides, and synced statutory text help you find the right citation faster. Always confirm the current official version on the official leg.state.fl.us (statutes) or flrules.org (administrative rules) before relying on any citation.
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Fla. Stat. § 617.1604
Common Elements summary — Section 617.1604 lets a member who has been wrongfully denied inspection of corporate records sue the corporation in circuit court for an order compelling production. If the court finds the corporation refused inspection without a reasonable basis, it may order the corporation to pay the member's costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. For HOA and COA boards this is the statutory hammer behind the records-inspection right. The fee-shifting provision is the part that hurts: a $50 records dispute becomes a $25,000 attorneys'-fees award if the board stonewalls long enough to make the member file suit. The rule for boards: if a member's records request is at all colorable, produce. If you genuinely believe the request is improper, send a written declination that cites the specific narrowing provision (typically 617.1603) and offer to produce everything else. The combination of partial production plus a documented reason for the narrowing is what defeats a fee award.
Not legal advice. Statute reference is for education only. Confirm citations on official sources and consult a Florida attorney for your situation.
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Reference only. Not legal advice. Verify current text at the official state legislature website before citing. Printed from Common Elements (October 12, 2026).