No. SB 906
Filed under Housing.
Homeowners’ Associations; Creating the Office of the Homeowners’ Association Ombudsman within the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation; specifying the powers and duties of the ombudsman; providing the duties of the division relating to the development, construction, sale, lease, ownership, operation, and management of residential parcels and complaints; authorizing the division to issue citations and adopt rules; requiring the division to maintain a toll-free telephone number accessible to parcel owners, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDThe bill creates a new Office of the Homeowners’ Association Ombudsman within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Governor appoints the ombudsman, who must be a Florida attorney. The office is funded by the General Appropriations Act.
The ombudsman acts as a neutral resource to help resolve disputes between parcel owners and their associations. The ombudsman also monitors association elections and can recommend that the division pursue enforcement action if election misconduct is suspected.
The Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes gains broad authority to investigate and enforce compliance with the chapter. The division can issue cease and desist orders, impose civil penalties, and petition courts for restitution or receivership.
Homeowners’ associations must create and maintain an online account with the division by October 1, 2027. The division may require annual electronic reporting of contact information, building details, and assessment data.
AIEstablishes a new state office to mediate HOA disputes and monitor elections.
AIRestricts state oversight to specific procedural and financial areas after developer control ends.
AIRequires all HOAs to register with the state and submit annual data by 2027.
AIAllows the state to fine developers, associations, and individual board members up to $5,000 per violation.
AIRequires HOA directors to complete state-approved training and certify completion.
AIObligates the state division to maintain a free phone number for parcel owners.