Florida guide
Florida HOA document review
Buying into a Florida homeowners association is a fundamentally different transaction from buying a condominium, and the document review reflects that difference. Where condo buyers work through Chapter 718, HOA buyers operate under Chapter 720 — a statute with different disclosure timelines, different reserve obligations, and governance rules that were significantly tightened by HB 1021 and HB 1203 in 2024.
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Understanding what documents to request, and what Chapter 720 actually requires the association to produce, is the starting point for any HOA purchase in Florida.
Chapter 720 versus Chapter 718: why the distinction matters
Chapter 720 of the Florida Statutes governs homeowners associations — communities of single-family homes, townhomes, or other individually-platted parcels where the association maintains common areas but does not own the building structure itself. This is a critical difference from a condominium under Chapter 718, where the association holds structural responsibility for the entire building. In an HOA, you own the structure of your home outright. That means the milestone inspection and SIRS requirements introduced for condominiums after 2021 do not directly apply to Chapter 720 HOAs. However, Chapter 720's disclosure and governance requirements are extensive, and recent reforms have made them more demanding than ever.
Mandatory disclosure documents under Chapter 720
When you purchase in an HOA-governed community, Florida law entitles you to receive the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions; the bylaws; the articles of incorporation; and the rules and regulations. You also have the right to review current financials, including the most recent annual budget and year-end financial report. Unlike condominiums, HOAs are not uniformly required to conduct a full reserve study, but many larger associations do prepare one voluntarily. Ask whether a reserve study exists and whether the association maintains dedicated reserve accounts for common-area capital items such as community pools, entrance features, roads, or drainage infrastructure.
HB 1021 and HB 1203: the 2024 governance overhaul
Florida's 2024 legislative session delivered the most significant HOA governance reforms in a generation. HB 1021, effective July 1, 2024, tightened requirements for community association managers and management firms, introduced conflict-of-interest disclosures, and expanded penalties for non-compliance. HB 1203, also effective July 1, 2024, was specifically targeted at Chapter 720 associations and required them to post governing documents, meeting minutes, and financial records either on a dedicated website or through an association application. It also imposed new restrictions on fines and enforcement procedures. Before buying, verify that the association has implemented both sets of requirements — an HOA that has not updated its records practices since 2023 is behind on compliance.
Meeting minutes and enforcement history
Board meeting minutes are your window into how the association actually operates day-to-day. Request at least two years of minutes and look for: how frequently the board meets, whether quorum has regularly been achieved, any pattern of unresolved maintenance issues in the common areas, and any discussion of fine disputes or legal proceedings. HB 1203 requires minutes to be accessible online, so post-2024 minutes should be available through the association's website or app. If the board cannot produce compliant records, that is itself a governance red flag worth weighing before you close.
Special assessments and fee trajectory
Florida HOA monthly dues and special assessments have been climbing broadly, driven by rising insurance costs, infrastructure aging, and general construction inflation. When reviewing the budget, look not just at the current dues but at the year-over-year trend — a budget that has grown 15 percent annually for three years suggests an association with ongoing cost pressure. Ask for the minutes or board resolution authorizing any current special assessment, and verify how long the assessment is expected to run. Unlike condominium assessments, HOA assessments do not always appear on a standardized estoppel document, though Chapter 720 does provide for association disclosure of amounts owed.
Architectural restrictions and deed covenant review
HOA declarations routinely restrict exterior modifications, landscaping, parking, and accessory structure placement. Review the architectural control provisions carefully before closing, particularly if you plan any improvements or additions. Also verify whether the covenants have an expiration or automatic renewal mechanism — Florida has specific procedures under Chapter 720 for covenant revitalization, and a lapse in covenant enforcement can affect the character of the community. If you are buying in a community with active architectural review, ask for recent committee meeting minutes to understand how strictly and consistently the rules are applied.
Florida legal references
- Florida Chapter 720 — Homeowners Associations (2025 Statutes)
- HB 1021 (2024) — Community Associations
- HB 1203 (2024) — Homeowners Associations
Informational only. Not legal advice. Always confirm against current statute and counsel.
Need help applying these Florida statutes to your specific situation? We can connect you with state-licensed counsel and specialists familiar with this exact regulatory environment.
Find a Florida specialist →Reviewer's checklist
- Request the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions; bylaws; articles of incorporation; and rules and regulations
- Obtain the current annual budget and most recent year-end financial report
- Ask whether a reserve study exists and, if so, review the funded balance against the projected obligation
- Request at least two years of board meeting minutes and review for deferred maintenance or enforcement disputes
- Verify the association has a compliant online records portal as required by HB 1203 (2024)
- Confirm the current monthly assessment amount and any in-force special assessments
- Ask for the full history of special assessments levied in the past five years
- Review architectural control provisions and confirm your intended use is permitted
- Request a written statement of amounts owed on the specific parcel before closing
- Check whether the CC&Rs have an expiration date and whether revitalization proceedings are current
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Risk Intelligence
Get Your Free Condo Risk Report
Upload condo or HOA documents for a free risk review. We read reserve studies, budgets, meeting minutes, insurance summaries, and assessment exposure — every finding linked to the exact page.
Expert Matching
Need a real estate lawyer or mortgage specialist?
We can connect you with vetted real estate lawyers, mortgage brokers, and insurance brokers familiar with the specifics of condo and HOA transactions.
- HOA lawyer
- Mortgage broker
- Insurance broker