An owner is attacking our board on Facebook or Nextdoor: should we respond, and what can we say?

Jason Hamilton Mikes, JD, MBA
Founder & Managing Shareholder

• Published October 3, 2026
• Reviewed by Jason Hamilton Mikes, JD, MBA, October 3, 2026
• Florida Statutes as of July 1, 2026
• Applies to: Condominiums · HOAs · Cooperatives
• Written for: Community association managers and board members

Usually, don't argue in the comment thread. Save screenshots, tell the board, and if facts need correcting, post one calm, factual statement through the association's own channels. In a Florida condominium, the association may not fine an owner, or bring or threaten a defamation action, because the owner in good faith publicly criticized how the association is run (§ 718.1224(3), Fla. Stat.). Whether a post crosses a legal line, and whether to send any letter about it, is counsel's call.

In the moment: what to do

1. Don't reply from the hip. A defensive comment doubles the audience. Wait a day.
2. Preserve the post. Take dated screenshots of the post and comments, URL visible. Posts get edited and deleted.
3. Hear it. Read for the concern under the anger. "The board is hiding the money" often means "I don't understand my assessment."
4. Name it. Name the concern, not the poster: "Several owners have asked about the roof assessment."
5. State it. If facts need correcting, issue one short, board-approved statement through the association's website, email list or newsletter. Point to documents.
6. Next step. Invite questions through an official channel: a written question to the manager, or owner comments at the next board meeting.
7. Keep directors out of the fight. A director posting personally should say so and stay factual.
8. Call counsel before any letter. A cease-and-desist letter, a demand to remove a post, or any threat of legal action is counsel's decision.

Steps 3 to 6 are the pillar's Hear, Name, State, Next. Online, "State" happens once, in your own channel.

What to say

When an owner raises the post with you directly

• "I saw the post. It sounds like you're worried about how the assessment money is being spent."
• "That's a fair question. The board's answer is in the [DATE] update; I'll send the link."

When a director asks whether to reply

• "Let's not answer in the thread. A short update from the board will reach more owners."
• "If you post personally, say it's your own view, and don't discuss other owners."
• "Please don't argue it out with other directors in the comments. Let's put it on the next agenda."
• "Let's answer the question behind the post, not the tone of it."

When someone asks the manager to "make it stop"

• "Whether the association can do anything about the post is a question for counsel. I'll save copies for them."

Holding the line kindly (fogging)

• "You may be right that we could have explained the assessment sooner. Here's the explanation now."

What to write afterward

Use this as a board update on the association's own channel. It doesn't name the poster. It is not a statutory notice; use counsel's approved form for any notice.

Subject: Information about [TOPIC]
Dear Owners,
The Board has heard owners' questions about [TOPIC], including in online groups. We want everyone to have accurate information directly from the association.
Here are the facts:
- [FACT 1, e.g., "The Board approved the roof replacement contract at its noticed meeting on DATE."]
- [FACT 2, e.g., "The engineer's report and the contract are official records available for inspection on written request."]
- [FACT 3, e.g., "The next payment is due on DATE."]
The association's official channels for information are [WEBSITE / EMAIL LIST / NEWSLETTER]. Online community groups are not run by the association, and the Board does not respond to posts there.
If you have questions, please send them in writing to [MANAGER NAME] at [EMAIL ADDRESS]. You will receive a response within [NUMBER] business days. You are also welcome to attend the next board meeting on [DATE] and speak on agenda items.
Thank you for your interest in our community.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
[MANAGER NAME], CAM
[MANAGEMENT COMPANY]
[ASSOCIATION NAME]

What Florida law allows (and doesn't)

• Condos: no retaliation for good-faith criticism. A condominium association may not fine an owner, discriminatorily increase assessments, discriminatorily decrease services, or bring or threaten a civil action, including a defamation, libel, slander or tortious interference action, because the owner in good faith made public statements critical of the operation or management of the association (§ 718.1224(3)). It doesn't cover statements made for improper purposes such as harassment. Whether a post qualifies is for counsel.
• HOAs and co-ops: this page doesn't rely on a parallel statute. Have counsel review any action before the association takes it.
• Directors and quorums. Directors may use e-mail to communicate but may not vote by e-mail (§ 718.112(2)(c); § 720.303(2)(a); § 719.106(1)(c)). In an HOA, a board meeting occurs whenever a quorum gathers to conduct association business (§ 720.303(2)(a)). A quorum debating association business in a comment thread can look like an unnoticed meeting. See directors deciding by email or text.
• Private information stays private. Many records aren't accessible even to owners, including personnel and medical records and most personal identifying information (§ 718.111(12)(c)5.; § 720.303(5)(g); § 719.104(2)(c)). Never post another owner's balance, violations or personal details.
• Your own posts may be records. Written records related to the association's operation may be official records (§ 718.111(12)(a); § 720.303(4); § 719.104(2)(a)).
• Whether the association can regulate an owner's speech at all, through rules, group moderation or a letter, is a legal question for counsel.

Instead of… / Try…

Copy this prompt into your AI tool

I manage a Florida [condominium / HOA / cooperative] association. An owner has posted on [PLATFORM] that [NEUTRAL SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMS]. Draft a short update from the Board to all owners, to be sent through the association's own [website / email list]. Do not name or reply to the poster. Structure it as Hear, Name, State, Next: acknowledge that owners have questions about [TOPIC]; state these approved facts only: [FACTS]; name the association's official channels; give a contact for written questions and the next board meeting date. Use BIFF: brief, informative, friendly, firm. No admissions, no promises the Board hasn't approved, no legal conclusions, and no words like "defamatory," "lies" or "slander." Do not mention any owner's balance, violations or personal information. Mark anything that needs the Board's or counsel's decision as [CHECK]. Under 220 words.

Before pasting, remove names, unit numbers, balances, medical details, privileged material and the text of the post itself.

Related resources

• Dealing with difficult owners and heated meetings
• Directors deciding by email or text
• Community communications for boards
• An owner says "my lawyer will be in touch"
• Setting boundaries with an abusive owner
• Litigation hold and record preservation
• Record preservation checklist

Talk to association counsel

Before anyone threatens legal action or asks for a post to come down, a short call can keep a bad week from becoming a lawsuit. Call Hamilton Mikes, P.A. at 239-594-7227 or reach us through our contact page.