Florida gives HOA and condominium owners a set of real, enforceable rights. This is the plain-English version, with a link to the full guide for each.
Your rights in a Florida HOA (Chapter 720)
- See the records. Inspect and copy the association's official records within 10 business days of a written request, and you do not have to give a reason. Records guide
- A fair fining process. No fine without 14 days written notice and a hearing before an independent committee. Fines are capped at $100 per violation and $1,000 total, and a fine under $1,000 cannot lien your home. Fines guide
- Notice and open meetings. Attend board meetings, speak on agenda items, and record them. Meetings guide
- Fair elections and recall. Elections guide
- Protection before a lien or foreclosure. 45-day notices and a required order for applying your payments. Assessments guide
- No fines for the small stuff (HB 1203). Trash cans within 24 hours of collection, holiday lights, and not-visible gardens are protected.
Your rights in a Florida condo (Chapter 718)
- See the records. Within 10 working days of a written request. Condo records guide
- A fair fining process. Same caps and committee, and a condo fine can never become a lien. Condo fines guide
- A state regulator that actually helps. Unlike HOAs, condos have the DBPR Division and an Ombudsman. Condo remedies guide
- Structural safety. Milestone inspections and SIRS reserves you can see and that cannot be waived. Milestone and SIRS guide
- Protection before a lien or foreclosure. Condo assessments guide
Not sure which one you are? Check your situation.