Florida Homeowners Association Terror

There are some things that Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has done right. (Right means that I agree with it. If you disagree with it, then it would be wrong, right?) I would not have known about these HOA updates if it weren’t for Deborah Goonan’s website, Independent American Communities.

According to HB 1203:

The bill prohibits homeowners’ associations from issuing a fine or suspension for:

·     Leaving garbage receptacles at the curb or end of the driveway less than 24 hours before or after the designated garbage collection day or time.

·     Leaving holiday decorations or lights up longer than indicated in the governing documents, unless such decorations or lights are left up for longer than one week after the association provides written notice of the violation to the parcel owner.

The bill also provides that homeowners’ associations may not prohibit a homeowner or others from parking:

·     A personal vehicle, including a pickup truck, in the property owner’s driveway or in any other area where they have a right to park.

·     A work vehicle, which is not a commercial motor vehicle, in the property owner’s driveway.

·     Their assigned first responder vehicle on public roads or rights-of-way within the homeowners’ association.

These were some of the things listed in this lightweight bill. Not enough for real change. But enough to look like Floridian homeowners’ cries are being addressed.

We don’t need HOAs using our own money to punish us while applying the rules and consequences arbitrarily throughout the neighborhood. But it isn’t like Florida is known for good politics for the people…well, maybe some people…