Lake Griffin Voice

Did You Know?

Many homeowners assume their HOA automatically follows Florida law and acts in the community’s best financial interest. In reality, Florida HOAs are governed by Florida Statute Chapter 720, and compliance is not optional.

This page exists to explain what homeowners are legally entitled to, highlight common practices that raise compliance concerns, and help homeowners understand how certain decisions directly impact dues, transparency, and accountability.

An informed homeowner is a protected homeowner.

Did You Know? 100% of “Legal Fees” Go to the Attorney, Not the Community

Many homeowners assume that when an HOA collects “legal fees,” some portion benefits the association or helps offset rising costs.

In our community, 100% of the fees labeled as “legal fees” go directly to the attorney.
None of those funds are retained by the HOA to support community operations, reserves, or maintenance.

This distinction matters.

Did You Know? Our HOA Does Not Collect Violation Revenue for the Community

Under Florida law and most governing documents, properly assessed violation fines are association revenue, not attorney revenue.

However:

  • Violations are routinely routed through legal counsel

  • Charges are labeled as “attorney fees” rather than association fines

  • The HOA collects no direct revenue from these enforcement actions

As a result, the community forfeits revenue it is otherwise entitled to collect.

Did You Know? This Contributes Directly to Rising Dues

While legal fees flow outward to third parties:

  • HOA operating costs continue to rise

  • Repair expenses increase

  • Dues are raised to cover shortfalls

At the same time, the association misses out on revenue that could help offset these costs if violations were assessed and collected properly by the HOA itself.

This creates a situation where:

  • Homeowners pay higher dues

  • Attorneys receive all enforcement-related payments

  • The community absorbs the financial burden

Did You Know? Enforcement Can Be Done Without Outsourcing All Revenue

Florida Statute 720 allows HOAs to:

  • Levy fines following due process

  • Retain collected fines as association funds

  • Use those funds to support community needs

Outsourcing enforcement entirely to legal counsel is not the only option, nor is it always the most financially responsible one.

Why This Matters

This is not about opposing legal counsel.
It is about how enforcement is structured and who benefits financially.

When:

  • All enforcement-related money leaves the community

  • No portion supports HOA finances

  • Dues increase anyway

Homeowners are justified in asking whether the system is aligned with the community’s best interests.

Transparency Requires Financial Clarity

Homeowners deserve to know:

  • Where enforcement-related money goes

  • Whether alternatives exist

  • How decisions impact dues and long-term costs

Transparency is not about blame.
It is about understanding financial consequences.

If you want next, I can:

  • Add Florida Statute references that support this section

  • Create a simple diagram or chart showing money flow (Homeowner → Attorney vs Homeowner → HOA)

  • Rewrite this into a short “Did You Know?” callout box

  • Help you word a formal request for financial clarification to the board

Just tell me how hard you want this to hit.

 
Make cronyent with all of them now
 

Got it. Below is a single, fully-cohesive “Did You Know?” page that combines everything we’ve discussed into one clear, structured piece.
It is written to educate homeowners, document patterns, and explain financial impact without accusations, while still being firm and understandable.

You can publish this as a standalone page on your transparency blog.

Did You Know? HOA Boards Must Follow Florida Statute 720

HOAs are not private corporations operating above the law. Florida Statute 720 establishes minimum legal requirements for:

  • Meeting notices and access

  • Homeowner participation

  • Due process before fines or charges

  • Financial transparency

  • Board authority and responsibility

Failure to follow these requirements does not make them optional. It creates legal exposure for the association.

Did You Know? Management Companies Do Not Replace the Board

Homeowners elect a board of directors, not a management company.

Yet in practice:

  • Certified letters addressed to the board are often answered by management

  • Responses do not confirm whether the board met, voted, or authorized actions

  • Decisions are communicated without proof of board deliberation

Under Florida law, the board is responsible for governance.
Management executes tasks. It does not replace board authority.

Did You Know? “Attorney Fees” Are Not Automatically Owed

Calling a charge an “attorney fee” does not automatically make it legally collectible.

In general:

  • Attorney fees typically require statutory authority, court involvement, or proper legal process

  • A demand letter alone does not create a legal obligation

  • Labels do not replace due process

Without proper legal grounding, a charge remains a demand, not a debt.

Did You Know? Homeowners Have the Right to Question Spending

HOA funds belong to the members.

Homeowners have the right to:

  • Ask how money is being spent

  • Question legal and administrative costs

  • Understand whether expenses were necessary and properly authorized

Asking questions is not harassment.
It is oversight.

Did You Know? Fiduciary Duty Is a Legal Obligation

Board members and agents owe a fiduciary duty to the association and its members.

That means decisions must be made:

  • In the best interest of the community

  • Without self-interest

  • Without financial structures that benefit third parties at the community’s expense

Transparency protects homeowners and board members alike.

Why This Page Exists

This page is not about personal disputes.
It is about patterns, processes, and accountability.

When:

  • Statutory requirements are avoided

  • Enforcement revenue leaves the community

  • Financial transparency is lacking

  • Homeowner participation is discouraged

It becomes necessary to document and educate.

What Homeowners Can Do

  • Read Florida Statute 720

  • Attend meetings when possible

  • Ask whether decisions were voted on

  • Request financial clarity

  • Use your right to vote or assign a proxy

Silence is not neutrality.
It is consent.

Transparency Is Not Hostility

Wanting clarity does not mean wanting conflict.
Wanting accountability does not mean wanting chaos.

A well-run HOA should welcome informed homeowners.

If transparency feels uncomfortable, that discomfort deserves attention.

Lake Griffin Voice

Lake Griffin Voices is an independent, resident-run website and is not affiliated with the Lake Griffin Estates Homeowners Association or its official representatives. All content reflects the personal views and experiences of residents. While we strive for accuracy, information on this site should not be taken as legal advice or official HOA communication. Names, events, or policies referenced are based on publicly available sources or personal experience and are shared for informational and community discussion purposes only.

777slot