A potential ban on homeowners associations (HOAs) in Florida is edging closer after a state Republican said he was considering filing legislation about the matter.
Juan C. Porras, who represents Miami-Dade County has called to repeal the associations, calling them “authoritarian bonds.”
Newsweek contacted Porras by website form to comment on this story.
Why It Matters
Some 9.5 Floridians, or nearly half the state’s population, live in HOA communities. These organizations comprise a group of residents elected to a board which creates community rules, maintains common areas and collects funds to do so.
HOAs have caused headaches for some residents. According to a September 2024 survey by home repair and maintenance services company Frontdoor, 70 percent of people would prefer to purchase a home in a community without an HOA.
They are also on the rise. U.S. Census data shows the proportion of single-family homes built within HOAs has increased from 49 percent in 2009 to 65 percent in 2023.
What To Know
Posting on X, Porras said: “I am seriously considering legislation to repeal Homeowner Associations (HOA’s). In the Free State of Florida, we should not have authoritarian boards dictate your day to day life with no accountability.”
According to local outlets, he also shared a petition calling for enforcement and transparency over HOAs. At the time of writing it has been signed 1,551 times.
Porras has not drafted legislation or announced details about how he would propose a ban but he told local press he wants to work on it before the state legislative session ends in January 2026.
What People Are Saying
Homeowner Sharon Siebert told Tampa Bay 28: “I understand that it’s a business, I understand that the business is to make sure the properties are maintained. But at the same time, when you’ve been here a long time and always maintained your property, it’s difficult when you find yourself in a tough situation and there’s no help.”
Porras told Tampa Bay 28: “It might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary. Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
He added: “You’re being charged $500, $600 plus a month when in reality you don’t see a lot of that money going back to even your own community.”
“It was a failed experiment,” he said.
What Happens Next
Whether Porras advances legislation and whether it is then well received by other lawmakers in the legislature remains to be seen.
Any legislation would have to pass the Florida House and Senate before being approved by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
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