A new bill filed in the Florida Legislature would allow homeowners to dissolve their homeowners associations under specific conditions, marking what the bill’s sponsor calls one of the largest overhauls of HOA law in state history.

House Bill 657, filed by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami), would establish a legal process for terminating HOAs and create a new court system for handling disputes between homeowners and their associations.

How the Dissolution Process Would Work

Under the proposed legislation, dissolving an HOA would require several steps. First, at least 20% of a community’s voting members would need to sign a petition. This would trigger a mandatory vote within 60 days. To approve dissolution, two-thirds of all voting members would need to vote in favor. If the measure fails, homeowners would have to wait 18 months before attempting again.

After approval, a judge would review the termination plan before the HOA could be legally dissolved. The board would remain temporarily to finalize contracts, settle debts, and manage property obligations before distributing any remaining assets among homeowners.

Additional Provisions

The bill would also eliminate pre-suit mediation requirements and create a Community Association Court Program to handle disputes. HOA board members who interfere with dissolution efforts could face fines up to $5,000 per violation and removal from office.

Supporters’ Position

Porras describes HOAs as having become overly powerful. The bill responds to complaints from residents who say they’ve been trapped by abusive boards, excessive fines, or overwhelming legal costs. The legislation aims to increase transparency and give homeowners more direct control over their communities.

Critics’ Concerns

HOA attorney Eric Appleton warns the bill could create instability and fails to adequately address complex infrastructure issues such as shared roofs, gutters, sidewalks, surface water permits, and private roads. Real estate professionals note that HOAs maintain shared amenities like pools and landscaping that benefit communities and help preserve property values.

Management groups cite polling showing 80% of HOA residents are satisfied with their communities. They argue that enforcing existing laws would be more effective than creating new systems or allowing associations to be dissolved.

Legislative Status

The bill was filed December 4 and would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed. It currently has no companion bill in the Senate. The Florida Legislature returns to session January 13.

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