On May 28th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two additional pieces of legislation affecting Homeowners Associations (HOA) into law: HB 59 and HB 293.
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The Two New HOA Florida Laws
HB 59: Provision of Homeowners Association Rules and Covenants
Starting October 1, 2024, HB 59 requires HOAs to give every member a physical or digital copy of their rules and covenants. This rule also applies to all new members going forward, with updates provided whenever the rules change. The idea is to make sure everyone knows the regulations that govern their community.
HB 59 key points:
- Every HOA must give out their rules and covenants to all members by October 1, 2024, and to new members after that date.
- HOAs need to provide updates whenever rules change.
- HOAs can set standards for how these documents are distributed.
- HOAs can post the rules and covenants or a direct link to them on their website.
- HOAs must notify members about the availability of these documents.
HB 293: Hurricane Protections for HOAs
HB 293 is all about boosting hurricane preparedness in our communities. This law requires HOAs to set hurricane protection specifications for each structure they manage, considering things like color and style. Importantly, HOAs can’t deny applications to install or replace hurricane protection products (like roof systems, shutters, windows) if they meet these specifications. This law helps homeowners make their properties more resilient while keeping the community looking uniform.
HB 293 key points:
- HOA boards need to set hurricane protection specifications that follow building codes.
- HOAs can’t deny applications for hurricane protection products that meet these specs.
- HOAs can set guidelines for how these products should look.
Other Proposed Bills for HOA Transparency and Accountability
The Florida Legislature also looked at several other bills aimed at improving HOAs, though they didn’t pass in the 2024 session. These included:
- Limiting HOA fines
- Easier communication with HOA management
- Preventing HOA discrimination
- HOA financial transparency
- Free estoppel certificates
Even though these bills didn’t pass, they show that there’s a strong push to make things fairer and more transparent for Florida homeowners.
Get involved in your community association to ensure that your HOA Board stays up-to-date with the latest laws. These new regulations are significant strides towards improving governance, transparency, and resilience within Florida's HOA communities.
About the Author: Liz Kenneally is a seasoned real estate agent in Miami with extensive experience in the city's dynamic market. She is also licensed in community association management. Liz specializes in coveted neighborhoods of Coral Gables, Dadeland, Continental Park, East Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami, and The Falls, Liz ensures smooth transactions for her diverse clientele. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she can be contacted at 786-423-3348 or through the EMAIL AGENT form provided alongside this blog.