Can HOA demand background checks on family

I don't believe they could. Just because they wrote a "rule" if it is not in the original contract it is an authority that is beyond their power.

Perhaps. It depends on the specific authority given to the Board under its governing documents to enact rules governing that subject matter. Rules are enforceable provided that they are reasonable and are not inconsistent with the powers granted to the Board under its governing documents.

Section 720.305(1), Fla. Stat., expressly allows HOAs to recover their reasonable attorneys fees in filing an action to enforce its rules:

//720.305 Obligations of members; remedies at law or in equity; levy of fines and suspension of use rights.—

(1) Each member and the member’s tenants, guests, and invitees, and each association, are governed by, and must comply with, this chapter, the governing documents of the community, and the rules of the association. Actions at law or in equity, or both, to redress alleged failure or refusal to comply with these provisions may be brought by the association or by any member against:

(a) The association;

(b) A member;

(c) Any director or officer of an association who willfully and knowingly fails to comply with these provisions; and

(d) Any tenants, guests, or invitees occupying a parcel or using the common areas.

The prevailing party in any such litigation is entitled to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs.//

Your sister should engage an experienced HOA attorney to guide her here.

My daughter and I co own a condominium that is self managed. Unfortunately, we live next door to the Board President that does not uniformly apply the rules and regulations. We get picked apart constantly and residents that live out of her direct line of vision, seem to do whatever they want. I feel like I have no recourse! They have been particularly unfair in regard to applying a back ground check requirement. The Bi Laws state that anyone that stays in excess of 7 days per month must submit a background check. We have complied for my daughter, prior to me finally putting her on the deed. We have complied for my daughters boyfriend. Now they are claiming there is a woman staying there that requires a background check. We are completely lost! I have no idea what they are talking about, but I feel I have no recourse. I feel like they just are harassing me because I have questioned this practice all along. This is a complete fabrication! It seems crazy for me to ask them, "what woman? who are you talking about?" Is it my obligation to have all visitors provide a schedule?
I know there was a lawsuit a few years back, before we bought into this nightmare, that was lost and the HOA had to pay. I believe there was a sex offender that they didnt know about, but I do not have any details for sure. I just know there was a lawsuit. Now we have exorbitant policy dues for Directors and Officers, $751 a year!!! I have asked for information to shop for more reasonable coverage, but they state is protected and have refused. How can we be obligated to this as well?

LarryB13,
I like your answer, researching a little I found out that the only way they can refuse by the housing laws is if is a person is a sexual predator when there are children but if its an adult only community why bother? I feel that a background check to a relative that is staying a sister or daughter is an invasion of privacy and really unnecessary since at the end they can't refuse anyway? But I hate to be taken to court when really my sister has nothing to hide is just that I feel that only if an owner is renting their unit then would be reasonable to background the tenant's let's see what happens. Thank you!