Florida Lawmakers Push for Major HOA Reform

Bill aims to make it easier for residents to dissolve problem homeowners associations

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Florida lawmakers are pushing for significant changes to how the state deals with disputes and oversight in homeowners associations (HOAs). A bill, HB 657, has already passed the Florida House and is headed to the Senate. The bill would make it easier for residents to dissolve their HOAs and set up a special court program just for HOA complaints. Supporters say the bill is necessary to hold HOAs accountable, while critics argue it could increase costs for residents.

Why it matters

Florida has more HOAs than any other state, with nearly half of all homes in the state being part of an HOA. There have been numerous HOA scandals in Florida, including the Hammocks case where $13 million went missing. This bill is an attempt to reform the HOA system and provide more oversight and recourse for residents living under HOA rules.

The details

The Florida House passed HB 657 on March 5, 2026, which aims to make it easier for residents to dissolve their HOAs and create a new court program specifically for HOA complaints. The bill's sponsor, Miami Republican Juan Carlos Porras, says HOA board presidents currently have more power than state representatives due to the autonomy of HOAs. The bill would eliminate pre-suit mediation and allow HOA complaints to go straight to the courts. However, some critics argue the bill could increase costs for residents by forcing them into arbitration and litigation.

  • The Florida House passed HB 657 on March 5, 2026.
  • The bill is now headed to the Florida Senate.
  • If passed, the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Juan Carlos Porras

A Miami Republican who is leading the effort to reform Florida's HOA system. He says the bill is a first step after years of frustration from Floridians living under HOA rules.

Travis Moore

A policy expert with the Community Associations Institute who believes the bill is unnecessary, arguing that HOAs already have dissolution procedures built into their documents.

Cross

A critic of the bill who worries it will ultimately cost people more money by forcing them into arbitration and litigation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“An HOA board president today is more powerful than a Florida state representative, maybe even a Florida congressman, because of the total autonomy that they have in their communities.”

— Juan Carlos Porras, Bill Sponsor (Englewood Review)

“There's a process already, as well as in any document I've ever seen, and I've seen thousands, there's a provision in there, 'hey, if we decide we don't want to be an HOA, there's a process we can go through.'”

— Travis Moore, Policy Expert, Community Associations Institute (Englewood Review)

“I think it ultimately costs people more money by forcing them into arbitration and litigation. It's going to be costlier.”

— Cross (Englewood Review)

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Florida Senate. If it passes the Senate, it will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This bill represents a significant effort by Florida lawmakers to reform the state's HOA system and provide more oversight and recourse for residents living under HOA rules. While supporters argue it's necessary to hold HOAs accountable, critics worry it could increase costs for residents. The outcome in the Florida Senate will be crucial in determining the future of HOA reform in the state.