Homeowner Association Fees (HOA) are typically paid for by property owners, however after a new law in Florida passed this month the association boards are now able to seek payment from the renters  if the property owners do not pay their fees.

Fees are normally collected on a monthly or quarterly basis to cover costs such as maintenance within the common areas, street lights and security systems. This in turn, keeps the property values up within a given community.

The new law puts the responsibility of insuring that your landlord is up to date with the monthly mortgage payments on the renter as many homeowners that are unable to pay their mortgages are certainly unable to pay their association fees.  Under the new law, the association fees and the rent are separated, for example, a tenant that has agreed to pay $700 in rent, including a $100 association fee, would pay $600 to the landlord and $100 directly to the association.

 The law ensures that the association receives their monies if the homeowner is unable to pay the fees, however, if the tenant does not pay the fees to the association, the association can foreclose on the property.