New Florida bill seeks to allow HOAs to file liens against property owners

Florida law currently allows boards of cooperatives to file liens against owners to recoup charges racked up by property management companies in their attempts to collect late maintenance fees. But since property associations are having trouble getting fees from a record numbers of owners, a bill filed by Senator Mike Fasano of Port Richey seeks to extend the powers to condo and homeowners associations. However, this may not be the best idea, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Associations rely on maintenance fees from every owner, and when some bow out, due to financial circumstance or personal choice, all owners suffer. If associations would be allowed to transform property management collection fees into liens, there would be no standards for setting such collection fees. One company may charge $20 to send out a letter of demand, while another company may charge $200. There may also be discrepancies regarding how many hours and fees a management company should rack up before the lien is placed, the Sentinel warned. [Sun-Sentinel]