Fla. Stat. Chapter 720
Homeowners' Association Act
The Florida Homeowners' Association Act
Governs Florida homeowners' associations (HOAs) for residential planned developments. Covers association powers and duties, recording of governing documents, board member duties, member rights, meeting and election procedures, financial obligations, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's oversight role.
Official source on leg.state.fl.usSections (6)
§ 720.301
Definitions
Core definitions for the Florida Homeowners' Association Act: homeowners' association, parcel, common area, declaration, governing documents. Less elaborate than the 718 definitions because HOAs vary more in structure than condos.
definitionsfundamentals§ 720.303
Association powers and duties; meetings of board; official records; budgets; financial reporting; association funds; recalls
The omnibus section for HOA governance. Lists what the association can and must do — borrow money, levy assessments, maintain records, hold annual + budget meetings, give notice to members, allow records inspection, file annual financial reports. Parallels Chapter 718's § 718.111 + § 718.112 combined.
governancemeetingsrecordsbudget§ 720.305
Obligations of members; remedies at law or in equity; levy of fines and suspension of use rights
How an HOA enforces covenants against members — fines, suspension of common-area use rights, suspension of voting rights for delinquent owners, and the procedural protections (notice, opportunity to be heard, fining committee independence). Fines cap at $100 per violation / $1,000 in aggregate unless governing documents allow more.
enforcementfinessuspensioncovenant§ 720.3085
Payment for assessments; lien claims
HOA's parallel to § 718.116. Covers how assessments become a lien, the foreclosure procedure, the 1% / month statutory interest cap, and the safe-harbor cap on past-due assessments a new owner inherits after foreclosure by a mortgagee.
assessmentslienscollectionfinancial§ 720.311
Dispute resolution
Mandatory pre-suit mediation for many HOA disputes between the association and a member (covenant enforcement, parking, architectural review). Some disputes (recall, election challenges) go through DBPR arbitration instead. Failing to participate in mandatory mediation is grounds for sanctions in the eventual lawsuit.
disputesmediationarbitration§ 720.401
Prospective purchasers subject to associations' governing documents; required disclosure to prospective purchaser
HOA's parallel to § 718.503 — what disclosures a buyer must receive before closing on a parcel governed by an HOA. Less elaborate than the condo disclosure because HOA documents are typically simpler, but the same buyer-protective rescission concept applies.
saledisclosureclosing