Legislation by Miami Republican Rep. Juan Porras that would revamp how Florida handles disputes with condo and homeowners’ associations (HOAs) has broad, bipartisan support among Florida voters, new polling shows.
A survey this week by the Civic Data & Research Institute found that more than 3 in 4 Sunshine State voters — 78% — are in favor of the measure’s aims, which include allowing HOA disputes to go directly to court (rather than through pre-lawsuit mediation) and creating a process for homeowners to dissolve their HOA.
Porras’ bill (HB 657) cleared its first House committee with unanimous support Wednesday.
A by-party breakdown of the poll’s results shows the cross-aisle approval was warranted.
According to Civic Data, 82% of Republicans back the changes contemplated in HB 657, with just 18% opposing. Seventy-five percent of Democrats and 77% of third- and no-party voters approve too, with 25% and 23% saying otherwise, respectively.
Civic Research polled 1,001 likely General Election voters online between Jan. 19-22. The survey had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
Republicans composed 45% of respondents, while Democratic and no-party voters respectively made up 31% and 24%. Respondents were 52% female, 65% White, 16% Hispanic, 13% Black, 31% 65 or older and 33% ages 45 to 64.
Thirty-eight percent reported earning less than $50,000, while 36% said they earn $50,000 to $100,000, 15% earn $101,000 to $150,000, and 8% earn more than that.
According to Porras, more than 60% of Florida’s homes are within HOAs, accounting for more than 8 million homeowners statewide.
If passed, HB 657 would create a state-funded court process to address condo and HOA disputes, which would replace the existing pre-lawsuit mediation process required today.
It would also enable homeowners to begin the process of dissolving an HOA with petition signatures from just 20% of members. An election and final approval by a judge would be required after that for an organization to be terminated.
Further, the measure would mandate that HOAs include Kaufman language in their governing documents that require organization bylaws to automatically change in accordance with updates to state law.
HB 657 will next go to the House Civil Justice and Claims Committee.
A similar Senate bill (SB 1498) by Fleming Island Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley awaits a first committee hearing.
The Civic Data poll comes less than a year and a half after a Tyson National Research Firm found most Floridians like their HOAs and condo associations, with 65% saying they were satisfied with their community association governing bodies.
