By Deborah Goonan
Could the turmoil in Poinciana HOA lead to regulation of Florida’s Homeowners’ Associations by the Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR)?
State Rep. John Cortes, Osceola County, has actively supported owners in Poinciana seeking to incorporate. Three attempts at those efforts have failed, as Polk and Osceola Delegation support has been split on the issue. In the meantime, conflict has reached a boiling point, with the HOA Board now split into two factions, as reported earlier this week.
In an attempt to alleviate chronic disputes and expensive litigation for the HOA, Cortes is calling for Osceola and Polk Counties to explore offering assistance, although it is unclear exactly what might be done to help Poinciana settle its differences.
Cortes is also calling for DBPR oversight of HOAs. Florida DBPR currently provides limited assistance with condominium and cooperative disputes and complaints, but does not provide services for Florida’s homeowners’ associations (single family homes in planned communities).
CCFJ has been attempting to pass similar legislation since 2013, but the bill has never even been discussed in Legislative committee.
Will John Cortes sponsor a stronger, more convincing proposal for DBPR oversight? Will it garner any support in the 2016 Legislative session?
Will Poinciana’s residents have the opportunity to vote on incorporation as a City in its own right?
Time will tell.
Push to revise HOA rules statewide underway
http://m.wftv.com/news/news/local/push-revise-hoa-rules-statewide-underway/nnXNC/
REP. JOHN CORTES STATEMENT ON POINCIANA INCORPORATION & THE ONGOING CONFLICT WITHIN THE ASSOCIATION OF POINCIANA VILLAGES