What is Florida HOA reform bill HB 657?

HB 657 is a proposed Florida law that would create a community association court, allow homeowners to sue their HOA directly, and introduce a process to dissolve an HOA if enough residents approve.

Can homeowners dissolve their HOA under HB 657?

Yes. If 20% of homeowners sign a petition, it triggers a vote. If two-thirds approve, a judge can review and allow the HOA to be legally dissolved.

Is homeowners association membership mandatory in Florida?

Yes, in many Florida communities HOA membership is mandatory and tied to property ownership, especially in planned developments and condo buildings.

How could HOA reform affect property values in South Florida?

Stronger homeowner protections could make HOA properties more attractive to buyers, but the ability to dissolve HOAs may create uncertainty in some communities, depending on management quality.

When will Florida vote on HB 657?

HB 657 was filed for the 2026 legislative session and must pass committee reviews before reaching floor votes. Timing depends on legislative scheduling.

Florida Homeowners Could Soon Vote to Dissolve Their HOA Under New Reform Bill

After months of protests, investigations, and a rally outside the state Capitol, Florida's HOA reform movement finally has a bill number. HB 657, filed by Miami Republican Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, would overhaul how homeowners' associations operate across the state. The 32-page package creates a new community association court, gives homeowners a direct legal pathway to sue their HOA, and introduces a formal process to dissolve an association if enough residents vote for it. For the millions of Floridians living in HOA communities, including homeowners in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, this bill could reshape the power dynamics between residents and their boards.

Key Takeaways

HB 657 creates a new community association court specifically for HOA and condo disputes, giving homeowners a direct legal pathway to sue their association without going through the state's slow DBPR complaint process.
For the first time in Florida, homeowners could dissolve their HOA entirely if 20% sign a petition to trigger a vote and two-thirds approve, with final judicial review.
Industry groups are pushing back, arguing that 80% of HOA residents are satisfied and that enforcement of existing laws, not new legislation, is the real issue.

What would HB 657 actually change for Florida homeowners?

HB 657 is a major reform package that would fundamentally change how homeowners deal with their associations. The bill targets three main areas where homeowners have felt powerless.

First, it creates a new community association court specifically designed to handle HOA and condo disputes. Right now, homeowners who have issues with their HOA often have to go through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which many describe as slow, bureaucratic, and ineffective. This new court would allow homeowners to bypass that system and take their case directly to a judge.

Second, the bill allows homeowners to dissolve their HOA entirely. Under the proposal, if 20% of homeowners support a dissolution petition, a formal vote is triggered. If two-thirds approve, a judge would review the plan and potentially allow the HOA to be legally shut down. This option has never existed in Florida before.

The bill also includes stricter transparency requirements for HOA boards, limits on fines, and new protections against retaliation when homeowners speak up or file complaints.

Why did this bill get filed now?

This bill did not come out of nowhere. It is the result of months of organized pressure from homeowners across Florida who say the current system is broken.

Paul and Brandy Miller, a Tampa Bay couple who founded the HOA Reform League of Florida, led a rally outside the Capitol in Tallahassee. They delivered a stack of letters from residents detailing horror stories of abusive boards, six-figure legal battles, and fines that spiraled out of control.

Rep. Porras says he filed the bill specifically in response to that outcry. Homeowners have been complaining for years that DBPR is understaffed, slow to respond, and rarely takes action even when violations are clear. Many feel they have no recourse when their HOA board acts unreasonably.

The bill is designed to give homeowners power back by letting them go straight to court and, in extreme cases, eliminate the HOA altogether.

What are industry groups saying about the bill?

Not everyone is on board with HB 657. Industry groups, including the Chief Executive Officers of Management Companies (CEOMC), are pushing back hard.

Their argument: polling shows 80% of HOA residents are satisfied with their communities and believe the benefits are worth the dues. They contend that the real problem is the lack of enforcement of existing laws, not a need for new legislation.

Mark Anderson, executive director of CEOMC, stated: "We think enforcement is the right answer, not more laws that may or may not get enforced."

Industry representatives also warn that major overhauls could create unintended consequences and destabilize well-functioning communities. They argue that giving homeowners the power to dissolve HOAs could affect property values and eliminate amenities that buyers specifically sought when purchasing their homes.

What does this mean for buyers, sellers, and homeowners in South Florida?

Whether you currently live in an HOA community or are considering buying into one, this bill could affect your decisions.

As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast, "If you are in an HOA, the HOA governs general stuff like cutting your grass, painting your house, etc. If you're not in an HOA and you're in a city like Boca Raton, community enforcement officers drive around and enforce it. So you have one of two options. You're either going to deal with the city if the city's on top of it, or you're going to deal with the HOA. Both can be frustrating, and both can be very good, too."

For current HOA homeowners:

If this bill passes, you will have real legal recourse for the first time. Instead of filing complaints with DBPR and waiting months for nothing to happen, you could take your HOA directly to a specialized court. If your association is truly dysfunctional, you and your neighbors could organize to dissolve it entirely. Expect your HOA board to start paying closer attention to complaints and transparency requirements.

For buyers considering HOA properties:

If you are shopping for a home in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, or any other area with HOA communities, this bill could make those properties safer and more appealing. The fear of getting trapped in a bad HOA situation has kept some buyers away, but stronger legal protections might ease those concerns. On the flip side, if HOAs start getting dissolved in certain neighborhoods, property values and amenities could be affected.

For investors and developers:

If HOAs become easier to dissolve, that could create uncertainty in master-planned communities and condo developments. Investors need to factor in the possibility that HOA protections and amenities might not be permanent. However, if this reform reduces abusive behavior, it could actually stabilize property values in communities that have been plagued by dysfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions about Florida's HOA reform bill

What is HB 657, and who filed it?

HB 657 is a 32-page HOA reform bill filed by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras, a Miami Republican. It creates a new community association court, allows homeowners to sue their HOA directly, and introduces a process for dissolving an HOA if two-thirds of homeowners vote to do so.

Can homeowners actually dissolve their HOA under this bill?

Yes. If 20% of homeowners sign a petition supporting dissolution, it triggers a formal vote. If two-thirds of homeowners approve, a judge reviews the plan and can allow the HOA to be legally shut down. This would be the first time Florida homeowners have had this option.

When will the Florida legislature vote on HB 657?

The bill was filed in December 2025, and the legislative session began on January 13, 2026. It must pass through committee review before reaching floor votes. The timeline depends on committee assignments and the scheduling of hearings.

How would HB 657 affect property values in HOA communities?

Real estate experts are divided. Stronger protections could make HOA properties more attractive to buyers who previously avoided them. However, the ability to dissolve HOAs could create uncertainty in some neighborhoods. Well-managed HOAs may become more valuable while dysfunctional ones face pressure to improve or dissolve.

What is the current system for filing HOA complaints in Florida?

Currently, homeowners file complaints with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Common complaints about the system include long response times, limited enforcement actions, and insufficient staffing. HB 657 would create an alternative by establishing a specialized court for HOA disputes.

Local help for homeowners and buyers across South Florida

If you are buying, selling, or living in an HOA community in South Florida, understanding how these potential changes could affect your property and your rights matters. Whether you are evaluating a home in an HOA neighborhood or dealing with association issues now, working with someone who knows how HOAs operate locally can help you make informed decisions. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.

For practical, hands-on support across South Florida, call (561) 544-7000.