Good news for Florida condo associations trying to recover from delinquent owners in foreclosure: An appellate ruling found associations have automatic liens, and don't need to take the extra step of recording claims to be considered prior lien holders entitled to surpluses in tax deed sales.

“It's a significant issue,” said condo association attorney Gregory Eisinger of Eisinger, Brown, Lewis, Frankel & Chaiet in Hollywood. “We're in front of courts all the time on this exact case.”

It's also an old issue that has divided Florida courts adjudicating the rights of condo association and how to prioritize their claims among multiple creditors in foreclosure.