Running a Florida community association has become increasingly complex. Board members, community association managers and homeowners must navigate changing laws, budgets, assessments, official-record requirements, meetings, vendor contracts and governing documents—often while making decisions that directly affect property owners and community finances.

Florida Community Association 101 is designed to make those issues easier to understand. The series examines Florida HOA and condominium requirements in practical terms, with particular attention to what boards and CAMs should be doing now and what homeowners should know about the associations governing their communities.

Topics include budgets and assessments, official records, board meetings, governing documents, Kaufman language, vendor contracts, year-end planning, developer-controlled communities and changes in Florida law. Where HOA and condominium requirements differ, we identify those distinctions rather than treating every community association the same.

The series also follows changes as they happen. Proposed legislation is separated from enacted law, while existing requirements are connected to the real-world decisions boards and managers face throughout the year.

Whether you're serving on a board, managing a community, buying into an association or simply trying to understand your rights and responsibilities, the goal is straightforward: provide useful information before the next decision has to be made.

Explore the guides below. Select any article for a deeper look at the laws, documents, deadlines and practical considerations affecting Florida community associations.

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Florida Condo Enforcement Rules Change November 12: What Boards, CAMs and Owners Should Know

New DBPR enforcement rules make timely responses and organized records especially important for condominium associations. Explore citation deadlines, minor violations, board and CAM responsibilities—and what owners should understand about the complaint process and the differences between adopted rules and pending proposals.

Florida HOA Snowbird Checklist: Preparing Seasonal Owners and Boards for Winter

Returning to a seasonal home can mean catching up on property conditions, community rules and financial decisions. Explore what owners and boards should review before winter, including notices, assessments, meetings, storm preparation and arrangements for keeping the property secure between visits.

Florida HOA Reserve Funds 2027: Preparing for Tomorrow’s Repair Costs

Low assessments do not necessarily mean a community has enough saved for major repairs. Explore reserve accounts, funding plans, owner votes and financial warning signs—and how boards and homeowners can connect today’s contributions with future maintenance and replacement obligations.

Buying in a Florida HOA: 10 Governing-Document Questions to Ask First

Buying an HOA home means accepting financial obligations and rules that can affect everyday life. Explore the documents behind assessments, maintenance responsibilities, rental restrictions, exterior changes and property use—and the questions buyers should resolve before closing.

Florida HOA Meeting Requirements 2027: Notices, Agendas and Board Decisions

Association meetings turn community priorities into decisions that affect homeowners and shared property. Explore notices, agendas, minutes and decision-making procedures—and what boards, CAMs and homeowners should understand about conducting and documenting association business.

Florida HOA Assessments 2027: Understanding Fees Before They Change

Assessment changes connect the association’s financial needs with each homeowner’s household budget. Explore regular and special assessments, the documents behind proposed charges, and what boards should explain so owners can understand what they are paying for and why.

Florida HOA Records Guide 2027: What Boards Keep and Homeowners Can Request

Association records help homeowners understand how their community operates and spends its money. Explore the documents boards must maintain, how owners can request access, and the practical steps that support organized recordkeeping and informed oversight.

Florida HOA Vendor Contracts 2027: What to Review Before Renewing

Vendor renewals affect community finances, service quality and the board’s ability to hold contractors accountable. Explore pricing, scope of work, performance, insurance and renewal deadlines—and what boards and CAMs should review before committing to another contract year.

Florida HOA Vendor Contracts 2027: What to Review Before Renewing

Vendor renewals affect community finances, service quality and the board’s ability to hold contractors accountable. Explore pricing, scope of work, performance, insurance and renewal deadlines—and what boards and CAMs should review before committing to another contract year.

Florida Kaufman Language: How to Find It in Your Governing Documents

An association’s governing documents can affect how later changes in Florida law apply to the community. Explore where to look for Kaufman language, which documents and amendments to review, and why finding the phrase is only the beginning of understanding what it means.

Florida HOA Budget Guide 2027: Practical Planning for Boards and CAMs

Preparing next year’s budget requires more than increasing last year’s numbers. Explore actual spending, vendor pricing, insurance, reserves and assessments—and how boards and CAMs can build a realistic financial plan while explaining the tradeoffs to homeowners.

Florida HOA Board Member Guide 2026–2027: Laws, Budgets and Responsibilities

Serving on an HOA board means making decisions that affect community finances, property and homeowners’ daily lives. Explore the responsibilities surrounding budgets, records, meetings and governing documents—and the practical issues directors should understand before taking action.

Florida Kaufman Language Update 2026: What Happened to the Proposed Law?

A proposed change to Florida’s community association laws raised questions about Kaufman language and older governing documents. Explore what happened to the legislation, how proposed changes differ from enacted law, and why homeowners and boards still need to examine their association’s documents.