Florida Assessments, Budgets & Reserves

Common owner question

What should I check when an assessment changes?

Start with the notice, amount, due date, and explanation. Then compare the adopted budget, meeting materials, governing documents, and any reserve or project information cited. Florida condominium and HOA assessment rules differ; a notice alone does not establish whether a charge is correct for your property.

A practical first checklist

1. Save the notice and identify whether the charge is regular, special, or a different fee.
2. Request the budget, meeting record, and governing provision the association relied on.
3. List the amount, due dates, and unresolved questions before responding or seeking professional advice.

Documents to put side by side

• The assessment notice showing amount, purpose, due dates, and payment instructions
• The adopted budget, reserve schedule or project estimate cited in the notice
• The meeting notice and minutes approving the charge, plus the declaration or other governing provision cited

A request you can adapt

I received the [regular or special] assessment notice dated [date]. Please point me to the approved budget or project materials, the meeting record approving the charge, and the governing provision used to calculate my property's share.

Replace the bracketed details, use your own facts, and send it through the association's stated contact channel.

If the answer is unclear

Make a simple timeline of the notice, vote, payment dates, and association replies. Ask for clarification about any mismatch between the notice and supporting records. Do not assume that withholding payment is safe while a question is unresolved; seek qualified advice about your options and deadlines.

Check the official source

• Florida condominium assessments, section 718.116
• Florida HOA assessments and charges, section 720.308

These links are to Florida’s official statutes. Check the current text and your association type; this guide is educational and is not a determination about your own records or assessment.