WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — New rules and changes to homeowners associations have gone into effect across Florida.
The biggest changes include limits on fines, changes to rule enforcement and required training for board members.
Fines have been capped at $100 per violation and $1,000 per day, and HOAs have to give people 24 hours' notice for fines concerning trash cans to the curb.
Real Estate News
Study: Florida No. 2 in nation for most HOA complaints
Real estate attorney Dan Anderson said he's seen various horror stories about HOAs across the state.
"Unfortunately, some of the individuals that are running these HOAs have taken it upon themselves to use the power that's given to them inappropriately," said Anderson.
Anderson went on to say that the changes were made to address some of those stories.
"These changes were intended to address some of that. I think it will go a long way," said Anderson.
The law also requires all agendas and minutes to be posted before meetings like local governments.
Frank Trapani, who is a HOA board member in his community in Palm City, is frustrated by the new laws.
“Yes, we have rules. But they are there for a purpose to keep the community nice and neat and clean as best as possible,” Trapani said. “Now, we might have three steps before we can level the fine. With the governor’s law, we now have five steps, which adds more time to the process and makes it more difficult to go and collect.”
