Residents in Heron Bay are pushing back against a proposed overhaul of rental rules at the community's master HOA, which governs more than 3,100 homes in South Florida.
Those objecting to the plan say it would narrow owners' ability to lease their properties, add burdens for landlords, and open the door to uneven treatment of tenants.
Here's what to know
A vote is expected on a new set of leasing-related rules being considered by Heron Bay's master association, which oversees a large community made up of more than a dozen subdivisions across Coral Springs and Parkland, according to The Real Deal.
Owners and renters said they see the proposals as both anti-landlord and unnecessarily difficult for people trying to lease homes in the neighborhood.
One of the proposed limits would allow only one lease per unit each year, and that cap would still apply even if a tenancy ends early because of eviction, termination, or death.
Renewals would require more than a simple extension: tenants would need to sign a fresh lease and go through the registration process again, while landlords would have to complete and submit a landlord orientation for every new lease and every renewal.
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Critics also contend that the draft would expose renters to consequences that owners do not face in the same way.
The association would be able to evict a tenant for breaking governing documents, block tenants with two or more violations from renewing or renting elsewhere in the community, and apply harsher penalties to renters than to owner-occupants for some conduct.
More background
Jack Dhanji, a Heron Bay owner-resident who also rents out property there, said about 250 owners had voiced opposition. He said the proposed changes would create hardship "across price points" in the community.
Another landlord, A.J. Steigman, told TRD that in some subdivisions, enforcement has turned into "show me the tenant or landlord, and I will show you the violation."
The dispute also reflects a broader pattern of tension between HOA authority and homeowner autonomy.
Across the country, homeowners associations have faced criticism for blocking or discouraging money-saving home improvements such as rooftop solar panels and native plant lawns.
What can be done?
Residents can submit written objections, attend meetings, organize with neighbors, and ask board members to explain how the restrictions would be enforced and whether they would apply equally to all residents.
In Heron Bay, some owners have already sent letters to the board, and some have threatened legal action.
Residents can also review their association's governing documents, consult a local real estate or HOA attorney, and document any signs of selective enforcement.
If the issue involves unequal treatment of tenants, protected classes, or housing vouchers, filing formal complaints with housing authorities could also become part of the process.
Dhanji said, "This will adversely affect not only investors and landlords, but also homeowners here," while Steigman said the proposed rules have "nothing to do with safety."
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