Heron Bay HOA Faces Backlash Over Proposed Landlord Rules

Published: August 26th, 2026

The board proposed rules that would let the HOA evict tenants and ban landlords from re-leasing. Owners revolted. The vote got postponed. Here is what happened.

Heron Bay's HOA proposed rules restricting landlords to one lease per year and giving the board power to evict tenants.
Approximately 250 owners opposed, and the board rolled back most changes the day before the vote.
The August 13 meeting was postponed to September 3 after the room hit capacity and dozens were turned away.

Heron Bay is a master-planned community of more than 3,100 homes spanning Coral Springs and Parkland. On August 13, 2026, the HOA board attempted to vote on a set of proposed landlord restrictions that sparked immediate backlash. According to The Real Deal, approximately 250 owners voiced opposition before the meeting, the board rolled back most of the proposals the day before, and the vote was postponed to September 3 after the 75-person room reached capacity and dozens were turned away.

What did the board propose?

The proposed changes would have restricted owners to one lease per year, even if a tenant dies, is evicted, or terminates early. If a lease ended before 12 months, the owner could not re-lease until the period expired. No hardship waivers. Landlords would have been required to complete a mandatory "landlord orientation" with each new lease or renewal.

Most controversial: the rules would have banned tenants with two or more rule violations from renewing their lease or leasing any other unit in Heron Bay. And the HOA would have had authority to evict tenants who violated any community rules.

The HOA's attorney, Matthew Zifrony of Tripp Scott, called the outcry "a complete overreaction" and said the association's existing governing documents already allow the HOA to evict tenants "if they do anything wrong." But owners did not see it that way. After The Real Deal published its August 11 story on the proposals, the board rolled back a majority of the changes the day before the meeting.

Why did the meeting spiral?

The meeting space held only 75 people. Maximum capacity was reached before the meeting started. Dozens of residents were left in hallways and stairwells. Security guards and police officers blocked people from entering. The board refused to offer a Zoom option, saying they could not reliably verify that every participant was a Heron Bay homeowner. Previous meetings had used Zoom.

Owner and landlord Jack Dhanji called the meeting "total chaos." Landlord A.J. Steigman said the decision to skip Zoom "goes against the board's fiduciary obligation to be transparent" and breaks a long-term precedent, including a July 29 meeting that had a Zoom option.

Vladimir Maslinkovskiy, an owner-resident since 2003, posted on Facebook after the meeting: "When a board claims the authority to significantly expand restrictions on private property rights, but at the same time cannot even organize a meeting so that interested owners can participate, it raises serious questions about competence and trust."

What does this mean for HOA homeowners?

As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast: "The people making decisions in HOAs usually have not run HOAs before. They may have experience from another career, or they may just be retired looking for something to do. That does not mean every board member is bad, but it does create problems when they start making heavy-handed rules."

This is not an isolated case. HOA boards across South Florida regularly propose rule changes that affect property values, rental income, and owner rights. Recent changes to Florida HOA regulations now require board members to complete a mandatory four-hour course within their first 90 days in office. HB 657 would allow homeowners to dissolve their HOA entirely if two-thirds vote to do so. And high-profile fraud cases have pushed state lawmakers to demand more transparency and accountability.

If you own property in an HOA community, you need to read every proposed amendment, attend the meetings (or demand Zoom access), and understand that a board vote can change your ability to lease, renovate, or use your own property.

Buying in a Coral Springs or Parkland HOA? Review the governing documents before closing. Talk to a Coral Springs real estate agent who understands HOA dynamics. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (954) 710-6504.

What happens next at Heron Bay?

The board voted to defer the meeting to September 3, 2026 in a larger venue. The rescheduled meeting is expected to draw significant attendance. Whether the board attempts to revive the rolled-back provisions or moves forward with a scaled-down proposal remains to be seen.

For the 250+ owners who spoke up, the lesson is clear: organized opposition works. The board backtracked because residents showed up, made noise, and forced accountability. That is how HOA governance is supposed to function.

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Frequently Asked Questions about HOAs and the Heron Bay Controversy

What is Heron Bay, Florida?

Heron Bay is a master-planned community of more than 3,100 homes spanning Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County. The community includes a 24-hour manned gatehouse, clubhouse, fitness center, tennis courts, pools, and walking trails. Homes range from townhomes around $400,000 to single-family estates over $1.5 million. The community is served by Broward County Public Schools, including Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

What is an HOA?

A homeowners association (HOA) is a private organization that governs a residential community. HOAs establish rules (called covenants, conditions, and restrictions), collect dues, maintain common areas, and enforce community standards. In Florida, HOAs are governed by Chapter 720 of Florida Statutes. Board members are elected by homeowners and have authority to propose and vote on rule changes.

Can an HOA in Florida evict a tenant?

HOA governing documents in Florida may grant the association authority to take action against tenants who violate community rules. However, actual eviction typically requires court proceedings initiated by the landlord. The scope of HOA authority depends on the specific language in the community's covenants and Florida law.

How can HOA owners fight back against rule changes?

Owners should read every proposed amendment, attend meetings in person or demand Zoom access, organize with other owners, and consult an HOA attorney if proposed changes affect property rights or rental income. At Heron Bay, approximately 250 owners voiced opposition, and the board rolled back most of the proposals.

What happened at the Heron Bay HOA meeting in August 2026?

The August 13, 2026 meeting was held in a room that held only 75 people. Dozens of residents were turned away, and security and police blocked entry once capacity was reached. The board refused to offer a Zoom option. After approximately 250 owners opposed the proposed landlord rules, the vote was postponed to September 3, 2026.

Local help for buyers and investors in Coral Springs and Parkland

If you are buying, selling, or investing in Coral Springs, Parkland, or any HOA community in Broward County, understanding how board governance affects your property rights matters. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.

For practical, hands-on support across Coral Springs and Parkland, call (954) 710-6504.