Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle have announced new measures to protect homeowners and residents of homeowner associations (HOAs). The measures include a proposed bill that would criminalize certain HOA board misconduct, as well as new resources and outreach efforts to help HOA residents understand their rights and how to resolve disputes.

Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents

The proposed bill, which would need to be approved by the Florida legislature, would make it a crime for HOA board members to:

• Falsify or conceal HOA records

• Embezzle HOA funds

• Accept kickbacks or bribes from vendors

• Retaliate against homeowners who complain about misconduct

The bill would also require HOAs to make certain financial records available to homeowners upon request, and would create a new fund to help homeowners who have been victims of HOA fraud or abuse.

In addition to the proposed bill, the Mayor and State Attorney have also announced a new public awareness campaign to educate HOA residents about their rights and how to resolve disputes. The campaign will include a website, brochures, and workshops.

The new measures are in response to a number of recent cases of HOA fraud and abuse in Miami-Dade County. In one case, an HOA board member was arrested for embezzling over $100,000 from the HOA. In another case, an HOA board refused to provide homeowners with access to financial records.

The Mayor and State Attorney have said that they are committed to protecting HOA residents from fraud and abuse. They have urged HOA residents to report any suspicious activity to the State Attorney's Office.

How HOA Residents Can Protect Themselves

In addition to the new measures announced by the Mayor and State Attorney, HOA residents can take a number of steps to protect themselves from fraud and abuse:

• Get involved in your HOA. Attend HOA meetings and volunteer to serve on committees. This will help you stay informed about what is happening in your HOA and make sure that your voice is heard.

• Review your HOA's financial records regularly. You have the right to request access to these records. If you see anything that is concerning, ask questions.

• Be aware of common HOA scams. Some common scams include vendors who offer to do work for the HOA at a discounted price, but then never do the work or do substandard work. Another common scam is HOA board members who take kickbacks from vendors.

• If you have a dispute with your HOA, try to resolve it amicably first. If you are unable to resolve the dispute on your own, you may want to consider mediation or arbitration. If all else fails, you may need to file a lawsuit against your HOA.

By being informed and involved in your HOA, you can help to protect yourself from fraud and abuse.