JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 59, which requires HOAs to provide a physical or digital copy of their rules to each homeowner in their community including all new members.
The legislation says if the rules are revised, new copies must be provided to all members.
HOAs are allowed to provide members with a link to their association’s website of the rules and covenants.
A man who requested anonymity gave his thoughts on the bill.
“I think this HOA bill going into effect on Monday is very important,” the man said. “There’s actually a lot of management companies that are coming into HOAs and taking control where it seems like the HOAs are taking control.”
He said he and several of his neighbors have been fined by their HOA over the years.
“I have several neighbors that I have paid over $4,000 in attorney fees because of Christmas lights and mailboxes and I think it’s just not fair,” the man said.
He said he thinks the legislation will benefit his community.
“It’ll educate the people in my community,” the man said. “They need the education. They want to do something but they don’t have any advocates...this bill will actually help them out and they’re going to feel protected and I think more needs to be done.”
Another bill that affects HOAs is House Bill 293.
It states that HOAs are not allowed to deny an application for the installation, enhancement, or replacement of hurricane protection.
The HOA can require the owner to follow the current building scheme for the outside appearance of the structures and other improvements.
House Bill 59 and House Bill 293 will go into effect on Monday.