Home Security

At their best, condo and homeowner associations are an effective form of local government that raises property values and imposes a healthy degree of order on communities. At their worst, they are restrictive, invasive and abusive bodies that keep owners in fear of foreclosure for a minor infraction of one of their countless rules ["Boss Thy Neighbor," April 2001].

Florida is one of several states making a recent effort to curb the sometimes rampant power of abusive association boards. This June, Governor Jeb Bush signed legislation prohibiting homeowner associations from foreclosing for failure to pay fines or fees, and broadening the rights of homeowners to speak out against associations. It also created a Condominium Ombudsman Office to hear complaints and resolve disputes between owners and boards.

For the considerable proportion of Floridians living in communities governed by homeowner and condo associations--there are more than 15,000 homeowners associations in the state--the new law represents a substantial success in the effort to protect themselves and their homes from unruly boards. California, Arizona and Texas are among states considering similar measures.