• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Florida State Representative Juan Carlos Porras proposes to outlaw Home Owner Associations in Florida

Safiel

DP Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2023
Messages
1,598
Reaction score
2,142
Gender
Male

‘Failed experiment’: Collier County homeowners react to possible Florida HOA ban

A Florida lawmaker wants to get rid of HOAs. With 350 of them in Collier County, residents and visitors shared how the move could change their communities.
www.fox4now.com

Florida State Representative Juan Carlos Porras proposes to outlaw Home Owner Associations in Florida.

(As an aside, 350 HOAs in Collier County alone.)

As tempting as this is, probably isn't going to pass, the power of the large homebuilder's associations will be enough to kill it. Still damn tempting.

I think he needs to consider working on reforms instead. Increasing transparency and require a certain number of warnings before fines can be assessed and limiting fines. Make it easier to remove from office board members who go "Nazi" in office. Unfortunately, give some people the slightest bit of power and they instantly go full Nazi, as many unfortunate HOA residents have found out. There should be a streamlined process to organize and hold a recall election and remove the offending board member from office.

I have put the kibitz to three different HOA's in the local area. In all three cases, the HOA either never became active or was wound down years ago. But like vampires,, they can rise again unless you drive the stake through their heart by using legal action to remove the HOA covenant from the underlying properties. Most recently, on the Virginia side of the line, I removed an HOA from a failed development from the 1990's, of which only 4 of 25 homes were actually built. Currently building in that area, HOA free.

Of course, I would never live in one.

But, quite strangely, some people do.

But like them or not, reform is clearly needed, although abolition is way over the top.
 
HOAs do serve a function.

One thing that has become clear from the courts in the thousands of lawsuits filed over the years is that an HOA rule is not a rule UNLESS it is enforced consistantly and uniformly. This has become a huge tool for people fighting their HOAs on enforcing the rules.

All the resident has to do is simply take pictures of violations of other homes over time. If they get dinged by the HOA for a violation, they show the other relevent violations to the court, and if those homes were not cited or fined, the courts will not selectively uphold the HOA's positions.

If enough residents get fed up with the NAZIS, they have the power to remove board members (elections) and modify the rules.
 

Reform is still warranted, more in some States, less in others.

Which States Have the Most and Least Friendly HOA Regulations?

States like Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas generally grant HOAs broader enforcement powers, whereas California, Colorado, North Carolina, and Connecticut place stricter limits on HOA authority and emphasize homeowner protections.
www.hellodata.ai

Florida, even though it has made some minor reforms, is still the most HOA friendly State in the nation, with HOAs having much power and residents have relatively low power.

My own State of North Carolina is near the other extreme, with HOAs being limited in power and residents having much higher power.

While I personally prefer no HOA, I am glad that North Carolina has reined in HOAs. They function, but homeowners are not at their mercy.
 
While there is a point to having an HOA, I think the point made to address the HOA problem in reforms is a good idea. We've all seen/experienced out of control HOA's.
 
HOA's are evil. Don't ever want anything to do with them.

If I recall correctly, in CA HOA's by law could increase their monthly fee by up to 25% a year.
 
During covid, while furloughed, I helped a friend paint, side, re-deck and in some cases rebuild at a large condo development with an HOA. The only reason the HOA was not problematic was because his ex-wife, with whom he gets along, was its president. We kept hearing from owners or their tenants about the way the last head had a sweetheart deal with the prop. mngmt. co. and only people who did things for the ex-president got repairs, etc.

Is that common, the turning of HOAs into private fiefdoms?

Anyway, it's my one experience with any kind of HOA, and the stories soured me on the notion.
 
HOAs and tribal governments are two examples where the U.S. randomly sets up another layer of government power, only to be stunned that it works out terribly.
 
I am actually in support of makings HOAs illegal. They artificially help to prop up housing prices and to economically disenfranchise people.
 
When looking at Zillow, Redfin, etc. the information on HOA's is hit or miss and unreliable. They don't like showing the cost, or if there is even one at all.
 

The selective enforcement problem (issue?) exists with most (if not all) levels of government. Typically it’s called ‘prosecutorial discretion’ or ‘taking all factors into consideration’ - which results in similar (if not identical) ‘infractions’ (violations of law/building codes?) having different outcomes.
 

Plus the cops have a huge amount of discretion as well. They call it "professional courtesy."
 
Loulit01 said:
I have no idea why anyone would buy a home slaved to an HOA. They own your ass. The horror stories are legion.
Click to expand...

The following link is to a manufactured home community across the road from where we live. The HOA fee is currently $599/month ($7,188/year).

Manufactured Home Community in Kyle, Texas | Creeks Crossing

Buy or rent a quality manufactured home in our beautiful community in Kyle, with resort style amenities, basketball court, playground, and a heated pool.
www.suncommunities.com
 
Horrible.

Hey, Bungalow Bill...
 
OK, it seems that everyone here is in agreement that HOAs are bad and there is no upside to buying into one. So can anyone tell me why there are literally thousands of HOAs across the country?
 
Stealers Wheel said:
OK, it seems that everyone here is in agreement that HOAs are bad and there is no upside to buying into one. So can anyone tell me why there are literally thousands of HOAs across the country?
Click to expand...
People are sheep.
 
Residents are the HOA. They have individually and collectively agreed to a set of rules that they all will abide by. If, for some reason, a rule becomes problematic, there are mechanisms built in to change the rules.

It is my observation that HOAs often get a bad rap because everyone is fine with the rules they agreed to, until one of the rules are enforced on them.

"Those aren't junker cars! They're vintage classics! Why can't I park them on my front lawn? Is this America or what?"
 
I would never live in a neighborhood without a HOA.
 
Stealers Wheel said:
OK, it seems that everyone here is in agreement that HOAs are bad and there is no upside to buying into one. So can anyone tell me why there are literally thousands of HOAs across the country?
Click to expand...

HOAs are designed to offer common amenities, services and (allegedly) to protect property values. It seems that enough folks like living under HOA imposed restrictions and paying their (constantly rising) fees for them to continue to exist.

Not mentioned in the following link is that the lot size is about 1/3 acre and that grass mowing/trimming is included.

Manufactured Home Community in Kyle, Texas | Creeks Crossing

Buy or rent a quality manufactured home in our beautiful community in Kyle, with resort style amenities, basketball court, playground, and a heated pool.
www.suncommunities.com
 
Do your HOAs let you fly flags other than the U.S. flag? When my nephew comes over I like to fly the gay pride flag.
 
Wow! I never thought I'd see the day when mobile homes would be selling for over $100k.

BTW, does that HOA have any rules against tornadoes? Asking for a friend.
 
Stealers Wheel said:
Wow! I never thought I'd see the day when mobile homes would be selling for over $100k.

BTW, does that HOA have any rules against tornadoes? Asking for a friend.
Click to expand...

That (particular HOA) home price includes delivery, tie down, permanent stairs, skirting and a (three car) concrete driveway. The price per square foot for manufactured (mobile) homes is lower than for a ‘stick built’ home.

New Factory Direct Mobile Homes for Sale from $52,900!

We deliver finely crafted manufactured homes to Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, New Mexico. Call us Today! 1-800-791-0240
factoryexpodirect.net

What the (concrete block) piers (supporting the home) sit on (cross runner concrete footers vs. concrete blocks or plastic pads) and how the home is anchored (tied?) to the ground (number/type of anchors vary base on state/local code and wind zone) make a significant difference.

 
Last edited:
Don't see many HOAs here in NYC - the equivalent would be condo and co-op boards, I guess.

Sometimes when I'm bored, I look at high-end UES and UWS listings, and I've seen places with monthly co-op fees close to or above $10,000.
 

I'm down with this.

HOAs are terrible. Nothing but dictatorships.
 
Some of you are in HOAs. Would your HOA allow me to fly a gay pride flag?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…