Choose a Non-HOA Community: The most straightforward way to avoid HOA fees is to buy a home in a neighborhood that does not have an HOA. Negotiate with the HOA: If you already live in an HOA community, you could try negotiating with the board to reduce your fees or request exemptions based on your circumstances.
While you can propose rule changes through proper channels, there's no legal way to simply ignore or “get around” the HOA's covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) that you agreed to when purchasing in the community.
HOA Information and Documents Florida Recorded Document Search - Visit the county recorder's office where the property is located to find an association's Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), Amendments to CC&Rs, Bylaws, Lien Notices, HOA Notices, Plats, Maps, and other community documents.
MRTA provides a specific process for HOAs to PRESERVE or REVIVE their covenants and restrictions thereby keeping them in place after the 30-year term.
The Hierarchy of HOA Governing Documents Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) ... Articles of Incorporation. Bylaws. Operating Rules & Regulations.
HOAs must be registered with the state as a corporation and must file all governing documents in the official records of the county in which the community is located. While they must file with the county government, homeowners' associations in Florida are not governed by a government agency.
An association's “governing documents” are defined as “the declaration and any other documents, such as bylaws, operating rules, articles of incorporation, or articles of association, which govern the operation of the common interest development or association.” (Civ.
Keep in mind that anyone can see HOA records that have been filed with the Florida Secretary of State online, which include documents pertaining to the formation of an HOA, financial statements and annual reports, and the records of the dissolution of an HOA.