Homeowners association (HOA) fees are experiencing significant increases nationwide, driven by a confluence of factors including soaring insurance costs, the rising expense of maintaining aging buildings, and more rigorous safety regulations in certain regions. This trend is placing a considerable financial burden on many property owners, particularly those living on fixed incomes.
In Florida, the situation has been exacerbated by new regulations implemented after the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse, which killed 98 people. These regulations mandate inspections, repairs, and upgrades with tight deadlines. When HOAs fail to meet these requirements within the allotted time, often due to funding shortfalls or difficulties in collecting payments from residents, cities can impose daily fines. These penalties can escalate rapidly, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars per day.
Brandi Harris, a 54-year-old homeowner in Coral Springs, Florida, shared her experience, stating that her HOA fees have climbed to over $700 per month. An additional $119 charge to repay a loan taken out by the association for roof replacement has further strained her finances. Harris, who is on disability with a fixed income, described the financial strain as severely impacting her quality of life. She noted that her building faced special assessment fees exceeding $10,000 per owner to cover urgent repairs, with the threat of losing her home if she failed to pay.
Her building also incurred a $1,000 per day fine from local authorities due to delays in complying with city safety requirements, resulting in a lien against the HOA. Property law experts indicate that these fines, if left unpaid, can lead to liens on the property, which must be settled before units can be sold or refinanced. Ultimately, the financial responsibility falls on individual homeowners through increased fees and assessments.
A survey by Realtor.com indicated a nationwide increase in HOA fees. In 2025, 43.6 percent of property listings included HOA fees, up from 34.3 percent in 2019. The median monthly fee in 2025 was $135, an increase from $108 in 2019. However, many homeowners are experiencing much steeper rises.
David Podein, a property law expert, described the situation as a significant property market crisis, particularly acute in Florida due to its large elderly population and prevalence of condo living. Many residents who purchased units decades ago budgeted for retirement based on much lower HOA fees. These exploding costs were not anticipated and are now creating significant financial hardship for retirees and others on fixed incomes. Experts warn that this trend is not confined to Florida, as aging housing stock, increasing repair costs, and stricter building standards across the country are contributing to rising HOA fees.