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Article
Courtesy of The Orlando Political Observer
By
Frank Torres
Published February 23, 2017
State Senator Linda Stewart has introduced legislation
that would prohibit Home Owner’s Associations or HOA from charging late
fines and fees immediately after the death of a homeowner. The bill aims to
protect families from immediate financial scrutiny following the death of a
loved one.
The law currently allows an HOA to
implement liens immediately following the owner’s death.
Senate Bill 950 would change that by placing a hold on how
quickly they can begin levying fines and special assessments
that would lead to such an action being taken. The bill
would prohibit fines and assessments for 6 months and late
charges for one year following death of the parcel owner.
“Residents deserve to be treated fairly,” said Stewart.
“HOAs are typically important pillars in the communities
they manage and they improve the quality of life for those
who choose to live in them. But not always.There is nothing
sensible about assessing fines on the estate of an elderly
resident on a fixed income. There is nothing reasonable
about subjecting grieving families to these unnecessary
hardships.”The bill will likely
find opposition from HOAs who already have challenges
collecting fees from absentee owners and spend much of their
bank balances on Attorney’s fees for collections and
property rights cases. |
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Senator Linda Stewart
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The bill will likely find opposition from HOAs who
already have challenges collecting fees from absentee owners and spend much
of their bank balances on Attorney’s fees for collections and property
rights cases.
South Florida State Representative Emily Slosberg will be filing companion
legislation in the State House.
SENATE BILL 950
-- Homeowners' Association
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