TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A South Florida lawmaker says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes.
Watch full report from Forrest Saunders
Lawmaker looks to ban HOAs
Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary,” Porras said. “Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
The lawmaker, who has been working on HOA reform bills for the last two years, said he’s heard enough from frustrated homeowners to question whether the system still makes sense.
“In Miami-Dade County, where I live, it’s just a bunch of houses. The HOA doesn’t really maintain anything other than the grass in some areas,” Porras said. “And yet, you’re being charged $500, $600 plus a month. In reality, you don’t see a lot of that money going back to your community.”
Porras called HOAs a “failed experiment” that, after decades of abuse and mismanagement, “does more harm than good.”
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