What data does this benchmarker use?

The benchmarker draws from budgets uploaded by Florida associations on Common Elements. Because the data comes from actual board-submitted budgets rather than survey estimates, it reflects real per-unit monthly assessments — not published averages or marketing figures. The benchmark improves as more boards contribute their budgets. Early in our history you may see a 'building this benchmark' notice when we don't yet have enough data for a statistically reliable comparison in a specific filter combination.

How many associations are in the comparison?

We show the comparison only when we have at least 8 distinct associations in the matching cohort. Below that threshold, statistics are not meaningful. The tool shows how many peers are in the comparison so you can assess how representative the benchmark is. A statewide comparison generally has more peers than a county-specific one.

Why do assessments vary so much between associations?

Assessment levels reflect a combination of operating costs (insurance, landscaping, utilities, management), amenity mix (pool, gym, gate, elevators), reserve funding contribution, deferred maintenance history, and the number of units sharing costs. A 50-unit waterfront condo with aging infrastructure and a below-market pool contract might assess $800/month. A 500-unit suburban HOA with minimal amenities might assess $80/month. The benchmark tells you where you sit relative to similar associations — the percentile doesn't tell you whether your assessment is appropriate, only where it ranks.

Is there a legal cap on how much a Florida HOA can raise assessments?

For owner-controlled associations, Florida statute imposes no percentage ceiling on assessment increases under Chapter 718 (condo) or Chapter 720 (HOA). The only statutory limit applies while a developer controls the board: under F.S. §718.112(2)(e)2.c, developer-era assessments cannot exceed 115% of the prior year's without owner approval. For owner-controlled boards, any ceiling comes from your governing documents — the declaration or bylaws — not from the statute. The budget must be adopted at a properly noticed meeting, but the amount itself is legally uncapped absent a governing-document restriction.

What is the difference between a condo and an HOA assessment?

A condominium assessment under Chapter 718 covers operating expenses and mandatory reserve contributions, including the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) components for qualifying buildings under SB 4-D. A homeowners association assessment under Chapter 720 covers common-area operating costs and any reserves the governing documents require. Condo assessments are typically higher because condominium common elements include the building shell (roof, structure, exterior), whereas HOA common elements are usually limited to shared land (landscaping, gates, pools, recreational facilities). This is why filtering by type (condo vs. HOA) is important for a meaningful comparison.

Benchmarker · Florida HOA & Condo

Assessment Benchmarker

See how your Florida HOA or condo monthly assessment compares to similar associations in your county. Built from real board-submitted budget data — not survey estimates.

Reviewed by the Common Elements editorial team, which includes a Florida-licensed community association manager (LCAM) and insurance broker · Florida Licensed Community Association Manager, 2-20 & 6-20.

Contribute your budget and improve the benchmark

Upload your association's annual budget to your free Common Elements record room. Your budget contributes anonymously to the cohort benchmark for every association in your county — and you get the full trend analysis in return.

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Assessment benchmark FAQ

What data does this benchmarker use?: The benchmarker draws from budgets uploaded by Florida associations on Common Elements. Because the data comes from actual board-submitted budgets rather than survey estimates, it reflects real per-unit monthly assessments — not published averages or marketing figures. The benchmark improves as more boards contribute their budgets. Early in our history you may see a 'building this benchmark' notice when we don't yet have enough data for a statistically reliable comparison in a specific filter combination.
How many associations are in the comparison?: We show the comparison only when we have at least 8 distinct associations in the matching cohort. Below that threshold, statistics are not meaningful. The tool shows how many peers are in the comparison so you can assess how representative the benchmark is. A statewide comparison generally has more peers than a county-specific one.
Why do assessments vary so much between associations?: Assessment levels reflect a combination of operating costs (insurance, landscaping, utilities, management), amenity mix (pool, gym, gate, elevators), reserve funding contribution, deferred maintenance history, and the number of units sharing costs. A 50-unit waterfront condo with aging infrastructure and a below-market pool contract might assess $800/month. A 500-unit suburban HOA with minimal amenities might assess $80/month. The benchmark tells you where you sit relative to similar associations — the percentile doesn't tell you whether your assessment is appropriate, only where it ranks.
Is there a legal cap on how much a Florida HOA can raise assessments?: For owner-controlled associations, Florida statute imposes no percentage ceiling on assessment increases under Chapter 718 (condo) or Chapter 720 (HOA). The only statutory limit applies while a developer controls the board: under F.S. §718.112(2)(e)2.c, developer-era assessments cannot exceed 115% of the prior year's without owner approval. For owner-controlled boards, any ceiling comes from your governing documents — the declaration or bylaws — not from the statute. The budget must be adopted at a properly noticed meeting, but the amount itself is legally uncapped absent a governing-document restriction.
What is the difference between a condo and an HOA assessment?: A condominium assessment under Chapter 718 covers operating expenses and mandatory reserve contributions, including the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) components for qualifying buildings under SB 4-D. A homeowners association assessment under Chapter 720 covers common-area operating costs and any reserves the governing documents require. Condo assessments are typically higher because condominium common elements include the building shell (roof, structure, exterior), whereas HOA common elements are usually limited to shared land (landscaping, gates, pools, recreational facilities). This is why filtering by type (condo vs. HOA) is important for a meaningful comparison.
How do I upload my association's budget to contribute to the benchmark?: Create a free Common Elements account, join or claim your association, and upload your annual budget from the Records Vault. Once uploaded, the budget contributes anonymously to the cohort benchmark for your state, county, and association type. You do not need to be an admin — any board member or manager can upload with the appropriate permissions.

Peer context drawn from budgets uploaded by Florida associations on Common Elements. Not financial advice. Assessment appropriateness depends on building-specific factors that aggregate benchmarks cannot capture.

Related resources

Assessment Benchmarker

See how your Florida HOA or condo monthly assessment compares to similar associations in your county. Built from real board-submitted budget data — not survey estimates.

Contribute your budget and improve the benchmark

Get started

Assessment benchmark FAQ

What data does this benchmarker use?: The benchmarker draws from budgets uploaded by Florida associations on Common Elements. Because the data comes from actual board-submitted budgets rather than survey estimates, it reflects real per-unit monthly assessments — not published averages or marketing figures. The benchmark improves as more boards contribute their budgets. Early in our history you may see a 'building this benchmark' notice when we don't yet have enough data for a statistically reliable comparison in a specific filter combination.
How many associations are in the comparison?: We show the comparison only when we have at least 8 distinct associations in the matching cohort. Below that threshold, statistics are not meaningful. The tool shows how many peers are in the comparison so you can assess how representative the benchmark is. A statewide comparison generally has more peers than a county-specific one.
Why do assessments vary so much between associations?: Assessment levels reflect a combination of operating costs (insurance, landscaping, utilities, management), amenity mix (pool, gym, gate, elevators), reserve funding contribution, deferred maintenance history, and the number of units sharing costs. A 50-unit waterfront condo with aging infrastructure and a below-market pool contract might assess $800/month. A 500-unit suburban HOA with minimal amenities might assess $80/month. The benchmark tells you where you sit relative to similar associations — the percentile doesn't tell you whether your assessment is appropriate, only where it ranks.
Is there a legal cap on how much a Florida HOA can raise assessments?: For owner-controlled associations, Florida statute imposes no percentage ceiling on assessment increases under Chapter 718 (condo) or Chapter 720 (HOA). The only statutory limit applies while a developer controls the board: under F.S. §718.112(2)(e)2.c, developer-era assessments cannot exceed 115% of the prior year's without owner approval. For owner-controlled boards, any ceiling comes from your governing documents — the declaration or bylaws — not from the statute. The budget must be adopted at a properly noticed meeting, but the amount itself is legally uncapped absent a governing-document restriction.
What is the difference between a condo and an HOA assessment?: A condominium assessment under Chapter 718 covers operating expenses and mandatory reserve contributions, including the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) components for qualifying buildings under SB 4-D. A homeowners association assessment under Chapter 720 covers common-area operating costs and any reserves the governing documents require. Condo assessments are typically higher because condominium common elements include the building shell (roof, structure, exterior), whereas HOA common elements are usually limited to shared land (landscaping, gates, pools, recreational facilities). This is why filtering by type (condo vs. HOA) is important for a meaningful comparison.
How do I upload my association's budget to contribute to the benchmark?: Create a free Common Elements account, join or claim your association, and upload your annual budget from the Records Vault. Once uploaded, the budget contributes anonymously to the cohort benchmark for your state, county, and association type. You do not need to be an admin — any board member or manager can upload with the appropriate permissions.