This guide is not exhaustive, but is meant to be a helpful introduction. Refer to Casa Costa's most current Rules & Regulations and related documents for the official record.
SCHEDULING YOUR MOVE-IN AND DELIVERIES
What is required before I can move?
Casa Costa's process is distinct from your negotiation to buy or rent. You should allow at least two weeks for all this to happen:
Complete the application process, including paying a $100 application fee. (You will need the sales contract or lease, everyone's photo ID and proof of insurance. You may need a photo of your pet, a marriage certificate and the articles of incorporation if a company is the renter/buyer.)
Be approved by the Board of Directors.
Provide a copy of the closing statement and warranty deed (or executed lease) to the management office to obtain a certificate of approval.
For the elevator, at least a week in advance:
Pay a $100 fee and refundable $500 deposit (checks payable to Casa Costa Condominium Association, Inc.)
Provide a certificate of insurance from the moving company that names as Certificate Holder "Casa Costa Condominium Association, Inc., 400 N Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach, FL 33435" as the certificate holder and as Additional Insured "Casa Costa Condominium Association, Inc, its officers, directors, managing agent and employees." Email this to casacostafrontdesk@gmail.com.
How do I move in?
After your scheduled closing or move-in date, reserve an elevator. If you don't have access to BuildingLink, call the front desk at (561) 509-5410 to find a slot.
Smaller delivery vehicles may park on the lobby level of the parking garage but large vehicles must park outside along the curb to the north or south of the building. You might consider directing any delivery drivers to these addresses adjacent to the parking garage so they do not drive to the lobby:
South tower: 679 E Boynton Beach Blvd
North tower: 637 NE 4th Ave
ELEVATORS
How big are the elevators?
The dimensions are approximately: H=106" D=64" W=78". Fit diagonally from the lower front corner to the upper back corner is ~132" but unless you're moving a thin pole, you cannot utilize all the corner space.
When, why and how should I reserve an elevator?
One elevator in each tower is available for reservations weekdays from 9am to 4:30pm for up to four hours at a time. The building staff will place carpeting and wall protectors in the elevator you reserve, and the cabin will be programmed to move exclusively between your floor and the lobby level without the need for a fob.
Reserve an elevator when you or someone you hire is moving furniture or bulky items. Do this in BuildingLink's Amenity Reservations section or by submitting this form. You should reserve a week out for a move-in/out, and 24 hours out for a delivery.
For move-in/out,
Pay a $100 fee and refundable $500 deposit (checks payable to Casa Costa Condominium Association, Inc.)
Provide a certificate of insurance from the moving company that names as Certificate Holder "Casa Costa Condominium Association, Inc., 400 N Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach, FL 33435" as the certificate holder and as Additional Insured "Casa Costa Condominium Association, Inc, its officers, directors, managing agent and employees." Email this to casacostafrontdesk@gmail.com.
YOUR NEIGHBORS AND NEIGHBORHOOD
How do I meet people and learn about the neighborhood?
Here are some ideas:
Come to our events
Join an unofficial Facebook group
Join the local Nextdoor forum
Attend all the Board meetings you can handle
SERVICES
What's included in what I pay and what's not?
If you are renting a unit, consult the owner or representative of your unit.
For unit owners, your fees include water/sewer service plus basic cable television and high-speed internet from Hotwire Communications. You can upgrade your package by contacting Hotwire.
For each member of your household, you should receive:
one key to your unit door
one electronic fob to access secured doors and the elevator
one key to your mailbox
If you live alone, you may request an additional set of the above from the management office.
For each assigned parking space, you should receive:
one assigned parking pass
one garage clicker
Losing any of these could cost you.
Electricity is your responsibility to coordinate with Florida Power & Light.
LOCKOUTS
What if I am locked out of my apartment?
If you accidentally lock yourself out between 9am and 5pm on a weekday, and the management office has a copy of your key, they can help you. If all these things are not true, you need to call a locksmith.
GUESTS
How do I make it easy for guests to come in?
Add them to the Front Desk Instructions in BuildingLink, including how temporary the access is. This is also handy for dog-walkers and housekeepers. The front desk can buzz the guests through the areas needing a fob (including elevator to your floor) but you will need to figure out how they get in your door.
The front desk will call you about anyone not on the list.
PARKING & VALET SERVICE
Where do I park?
Each unit is assigned one or more parking spaces in the parking garage. Keep your parking pass visible on your vehicle's dashboard, do not park anywhere in the garage that is not your assigned space, and do not leave anything other than a vehicle in your parking space or it will cost you. Don't do vehicle repairs in the garage.
Can I park on the lobby level of the garage or outside the storefronts?
No, those parking spaces are reserved for the commercial units, delivery vehicles, building staff and vendors. Residents may be towed if you park there.
How do I use the valet service?
Valet is designed for your guests and for residents who have more vehicles than assigned parking spaces. There are fees for overnight and monthly valet.
MAIL & PACKAGES
What's my address and how do I tell others to send me stuff?
Your Casa Costa address is your unit number preceded by 350 (South tower), 400 or 450 (North tower) at N Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. The South and North towers are symmetrical and the units are numbered identically, so it's important to not to get it wrong. Internally, "905N" means 450 N Federal Hwy #905. Get it?
The front desk will accept certain deliveries for residents (like UPS and FedEx) and hold them in the package room for a few days. They will not accept deliveries that weigh over 50 lbs; you need to arrange for delivery of these heavy things directly to your door. Grab your packages from the front desk within 72 hours or it will cost you.
The front desk will accept newspaper deliveries and drop them at your front door.
The post office delivers straight to your mailbox on the lobby level. The nearest full-service post office is 1/2 mile west. Contact them or USPS to hold or forward your mail.
AIR CONDITIONING
Why isn't my A/C working?
Most likely the building's electricity went out and because it's all interconnected, the main units on the roof are restarting. It often helps if you turn the thermostat off for 30 seconds.
How often should I change the A/C filters?
Every three months.
REPAIRS
Which types of maintenance does the building handle?
Generally speaking, everything inside the apartment is the unit owner's responsibility. This means your walls, ceilings, appliances and plumbing.
Casa Costa's engineers and vendors maintain all common spaces like hallways and amenities. Of course, as a high-rise building, many things are interconnected, and the engineering team knows the apartment's systems very well and are happy to consult.
What if I need an appliance serviced?
While these are the responsibility of the unit owner, the front desk can save some headache. They have a list of the vendors that have worked on other units, which can be a handy starting point.
IMPROVEMENTS
What if I want to renovate?
Remodeling is certainly allowed but you need to play by the rules of the city and the building. This means securing permits, hiring licensed and insured contractors for work weekdays between 9am and 5pm, and keeping the management office in the loop.
If you install anything that can be seen from outside your window (like blinds or draperies), they must be white, off-white or neutral gray.
BICYCLES
Where do I store my bike?
Not your balcony. Register your bike with the front desk, put on the decal and lock it in a bike storage room on the 2nd or 4th floor of the garage.
TRASH & RECYCLING
Where and when do I dispose of items?
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Household trash: Bag it up and toss it down the chute in your hallway between 9am and 9pm. At the bottom of the chute are large dumpsters in rooms in the parking garage.
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Recyclables: Use the bins in the garage for flattened cardboard, glass, aluminum, paper (not paper towels) and other items that the bins indicate. Plastic bags screw things up at the recycling plant, so avoid recycling those.
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Bulk trash: Furniture, appliances, mattresses or other large items require special handling by the city. Do not leave them anywhere in the building or parking garage. Instead, contact Boynton Beach and leave it on the curb to the east of the North tower when the city tells you (currently after 6pm on a Monday night for pickup Tuesday after 6am).
Screwing up the trash or recycling rules can cost you.
POOLS
Do I really need to rinse off before entering the swimming pool?
Yes, this is actually Florida law.
Why can't I eat or drink on the pool decks?
This is also Florida law. So is "do not swallow the pool water." Ah, you can have a plastic bottle on the pool deck.
How about inflatable toys or rafts?
These are OK so long as you do not interfere with other swimmers.
RESERVING AMENITIES
When can I work out?
The fitness center is open 24 hours a day, except for a half-hour at 1:30pm weekdays for cleaning.
How do I use the conference room and business center?
Grab the key from the front desk. You can reserve the conference room in advance. The business center has Wifi and a printer, but bring your own computer and paper.
What and where is the dog grooming room?
It's designed for you or someone else to give your dog a bath and located on the lobby level of the garage on the north side.
What if I want to throw a private party?
Reserve the club room in BuildingLink. It's $25 plus a $150 refundable deposit with three days notice.
What if I want a massage?
Find a masseuse and reserve the massage room in BuildingLink. Clean up after yourself or it's a $50 fine. Or if the masseuse brings a table, why not use your own apartment?
EMERGENCIES
What if there's an emergency in my apartment?
If it's a fire, call 911.
If it's water, call the front desk at (561) 509-5410.
Why is the alarm going off?
If you can hear it in your apartment, it's probably an emergency near you. You should close your doors and head outside using the stairwells.
What are the funny looking things on my ceiling?
Those sprinkler heads are very sensitive. Don't dust them or even think about hanging something from them.
HURRICANE SEASON
When is hurricane season and what do I do about it?
The season length depends on whom you ask (June 1 through November 30 is popular answer) but most agree that August and September are the most active months.
Casa Costa's management team routinely emails reminders about hurricane safety and monitors approaching storms.
Your windows are designed to withstand hurricane winds but you need to remove anything on your terrace, balcony or patio in case of a severe hurricane warning. If you do not do this, it will cost you.
What if I am away during a hurricane?
You need to make arrangements to have your outdoor space cleared.
EXTENDED ABSENCES
What if I am away from my apartment for a long time?
If you are gone for more than a month at a time,
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set your thermostat at 78 degrees or less
If you'll be away during hurricane season (June 1 to November 30), remove everything from your balcony.
FLORIDA RESIDENCY
What's the Homestead Exemption and how do I use it?
It offers Florida homeowners state tax benefits by limiting tax increases and exempting a portion of the value of the home.
You need to be a permanent resident, own the home by December 31 of the previous year and apply by March 1 of the tax year.
CONTACTS
Who do I contact with questions?
For billing questions from owners: (800) 337-5850; renters should contact the unit owner or representative.
For maintenance, submit a repair request in BuildingLink.
For valet, submit a request in BuildingLink or call the front desk at (561) 509-5410.
The front desk and management office phone is (561) 509-5410 and mobile phone is (561) 531-1123.
FINES
How do I avoid being fined?
It's not that difficult. While there are specific protocols for owners seeking to rent their unit, and others for specific maintenance work, the rules for living at Casa Costa are straightforward.
On your balcony:
Don't toss stuff off or let it fall off ($50, then $100)
Don't store anything besides furniture ($25 per day)
In the parking garage:
Drive slowly ($100)
Stop at stop signs ($50)
Park only in your assigned space with your pass ($25 and towing fee)
Don't store anything besides a vehicle in your assigned space ($25 per day)
At the pool:
Obey the rules ($25)
In the lobby:
Pick up your deliveries promptly ($25)
With your pet:
Don't let it bark too much ($25, then $50, then pet removed)
Clean up after it ($100)
Keep it on a leash ($25)
Keep it off the pool deck ($25, then $100)
With garbage:
Dispose of household trash and recycling properly ($25)
Dispose of bulk items properly ($50, then $100)
Everywhere, always:
Do not make a nuisance of yourself or disturb others ($50 per occurrence)
Treat others, including building staff, with respect ($100 per occurrence)
If I receive a fine or violation, how can I appeal or tell my side of the story?
Florida law allows you to appeal to the Grievance Committee.
MISCELLANEOUS RESTRICTIONS
Is smoking allowed?
Only in your apartment, not in any common areas. "Smoking" means cigars, pipes, cigarettes, hookahs, marijuana, vape pens or electronic versions of any of these.
May I have a waterbed?
No, and no water-filled furniture either.
Can I put up Christmas lights outside?
Only from December 11 to January 8.
How about a barbeque grill on my balcony?
No. This is Florida law.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
How do I vote?
Owners receive one vote per unit. Many meetings allow for electronic voting, so please enroll. Some votes require owners to show up in person (typically in the club house, sometimes virtually).