'End HOA abuse': Florida couple say they're leading a 'homeowner revolution' to hold 'corrupt' boards accountable. Why hundreds are supporting them

The Millers delivered a stack of letters from homeowners describing disputes they feel current state law doesn't address, and the group met with Rep. Juan Carlos Porras.

The couple lead HOA Reform League – Florida, a nonprofit that's reportedly heard hundreds of similar complaints from across the state.

"We're here to have a voice," Paul told supporters at the rally. "And to all the people that are out there on our social networks, cheering us on… thank you so much for being our voice."

The organization’s public Facebook group has around 1,600 members, with many posters complaining about their HOAs (2).

The page description says, "Are you tired of being bullied by your association? Tired of retaliation, selective enforcement, and board members who act like they are above the law? Then welcome to the front line of Florida’s homeowner revolution."

The group is planning its next rally in Miami in January.

The cost of HOA living

Understanding why emotions run so high requires examining what HOA membership actually costs Americans. And it's not just monthly dues.

There are close to 370,000 HOAs nationwide, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR) (3).

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 21.6 million owned U.S. households, out of a total of about 86.6 million, paid either a condo or HOA fee in 2024, with the national median sitting at $135 monthly. But the real costs may extend far beyond monthly fees.

Aside from extra costs that may be expected, like special assessments for major repairs, homeowners can be completely caught off guard. Complaints against HOA boards can include arbitrary rule enforcement, ignoring or misunderstanding governing documents, misused funds or sometimes even stalled or stopped home sales.

The good and the bad

The benefits of HOA living can justify its costs when associations function properly: maintained common areas and amenities, property value protection, dispute resolution between neighbors and shared expenses for services like landscaping and insurance.

It's the most pressing issues that emerge when boards allegedly abuse authority. In Pecchia v. Wayside Estates Home Owners Association, a Seminole County, Florida HOA was found liable when it failed to respond to homeowners' record requests.

Another homeowner, featured in a WFTV Action 9 investigation, said she faced collections harassment for debts already paid. She alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the case ultimately cost the HOA and its law firm $33,000 in damages (4).

And in McLlenan v. Cypress Chase N. Condo No. 4 Ass'n, Inc., sewage water poured through a homeowner's ceiling from an upstairs unit, yet the association refused remediation responsibility. The case established important precedent about association duties.

Is Florida ground zero for HOA issues?

Florida may sit at the epicenter of HOA disputes for several reasons. According to Census Bureau data, the percentage of homeowners that paid HOA fees in 2024 was highest in Nevada (51%), Florida (44%) and Arizona (45%).

The state hosts massive planned communities attracting retirees and is seeing the fastest population growth in the country. The Villages alone houses over 150,000 residents.

Then there's the condo-heavy coastal areas, where exposure to severe weather can drive up HOA fees.

After the Surfside condo collapse in 2021, thought to be instigated by a degraded pool deck, Florida lawmakers passed additional inspection and reserve funding requirements. While necessary for safety, they've driven dramatic assessment increases in older buildings.