![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-03T233337.250.webp?resize=203%2C230&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAfter a state lawmaker brought up eliminating HOAs last year, a new Florida bill would allow residents to do exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill \u2014 HB 657 \u2014 was filed back in December by state Rep. Juan Porras (R-Miami), who blasted HOAs as a \u201cfailed experiment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Porras\u2019 latest proposal introduces several rules pointed at HOAs and community associations (COAs), including the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Getting rid of presuit mediation requirements for COAs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Creating a new Community Association Court Program in circuit courts to better handle disputes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Requiring new COAs (those created on or after July 1, 2026) to include the following statement in their governing documents:<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Requiring other COAs (those created before July 1, 2026) to hold a meeting on whether to include that statement in their own governing documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is one of the largest overhauls in our state\u2019s history when it comes to condo and HOA disputes…\u201d Porras said during an interview with News 6 partner WPLG-TV. \u201cHomeowners for the first time are going to have a voice and be able to go to a judge or go to a magistrate when it comes to these really complex condo, HOA cases.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But one of the more prominent changes included in this bill is a process by which HOAs may finally be dissolved. HB 657, if approved, allows for this dissolution under select situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is in the best interest of this state to provide for termination of the declaration of covenants in certain circumstances in order to… preserve the state\u2019s long history of protecting homestead property rights,\u201d the bill reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why “Failed Experiment”?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rhetoric used by the committee suggests that the original promise of HOAs\u2014maintaining property values and providing community stability\u2014has been eclipsed by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- High Assessments:<\/strong> Rapidly rising insurance costs and “special assessments” for repairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Litigiousness:<\/strong> Frequent lawsuits between boards and residents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Management Overreach:<\/strong> Selective enforcement of rules that feel arbitrary to many owners.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
What HB 657 Proposes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill aims to address the systemic issues within Homeowners Associations by providing a clearer, streamlined path for communities to dissolve their associations if they no longer serve the residents’ best interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The “Sunset” Provision:<\/strong> It explores ways to make it easier for HOAs to naturally expire or be voted out of existence without the extreme legal hurdles currently in place.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Infrastructure Transition:<\/strong> One of the biggest hurdles to scrapping an HOA is “who pays for the streetlights and the pool?” This bill seeks to define how common areas and essential services transition back to municipal (city or county) control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accountability:<\/strong> By labeling the current system a “failed experiment,” lawmakers are signaling that the era of “fines for the wrong shade of beige” may be nearing an end in favor of stricter consumer protections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
HOW IT WORKS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the bill, a homeowner who wants to terminate his\/her respective HOA must provide the board a petition that includes signatures from at least half of the HOA\u2019s voting members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The board must then hold a meeting within 60 days, with two-thirds of the total voting interests being required to approve the termination plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the plan fails to garner enough support, then residents would have to wait another 18 months before trying again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WHAT IF IT GETS APPROVED?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the termination plan does get passed, the HOA board would then be required to carry out the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Employ professionals to liquidate or conclude the board\u2019s affairs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Conduct the affairs of the association as necessary for the liquidation or termination<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Carry out contracts and collect, pay, and settle debts and claims for and against the HOA<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Defend suits brought against the association<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sue in the name of the association for all sums due or owed to the HOA or to recover any HOA property<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Perform any act necessary to maintain, repair or demolish unsafe or uninhabitable improvements or other HOA property in compliance with applicable codes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sell at public or private sale or exchange, convey, or otherwise dispose of assets of the HOA for an amount deemed to be in the best interests of the HOA, and execute bills of sale and deeds of conveyance in the name of the HOA<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Collect and receive rents, profits, accounts receivable, income, maintenance fees, special assessments, or insurance proceeds for the association<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Contract and do anything in the name of the HOA which is proper or convenient to terminate the affairs of the HOA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Afterward, any remaining association assets must be distributed equally among members or as provided in the termination plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, HB 657 aims to punish officers or directors who use HOA funds to campaign for or against termination plans, fail to hold a meeting after receiving a petition, or hide financial records relevant to termination plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyone found violating those rules could be fined up to $5,000 per violation and be removed from office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WHAT\u2019S NEXT FOR HB 657?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week, the bill was unanimously approved by its fourth and final committee, meaning it is now slated to go before the full House for consideration on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it passes the House, it\u2019s then set to go through the Senate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if the bill manages to clear both houses and gets Gov. DeSantis\u2019 signature, it is set to take effect on July 1.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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- Infrastructure Transition:<\/strong> One of the biggest hurdles to scrapping an HOA is “who pays for the streetlights and the pool?” This bill seeks to define how common areas and essential services transition back to municipal (city or county) control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Litigiousness:<\/strong> Frequent lawsuits between boards and residents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High Assessments:<\/strong> Rapidly rising insurance costs and “special assessments” for repairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n