CINC Sales Engineer Lindsey Richardson shares her thoughts on Florida House Bill 1203 and what it means for the present and future of the CAM industry.
In my 11 years in association management, I’ve worn many hats: Board member, community manager, account manager, and now sales engineer. I’ve watched the industry evolve firsthand. Not too long ago, managing an association meant wrestling with Excel spreadsheets and Word docs—even at the biggest management companies.
Look how far we’ve come. Innovations like CINC Systems’ industry-first AI solution, Cephai, are completely transforming the CAM business. Not only are those unwieldy spreadsheets a thing of the past. Mundane administrative tasks that once consumed the lion’s share of many CAM professionals’ time, like answering homeowner emails, invoicing, and performing inspections, are now practically effortless with the right tools.
Many challenges we once accepted as part of the job are being solved through innovation. Why should staying compliant with shifting legislation be any different? When we step back from our initial apprehension, break down the real impact, and consider the solutions already in place, we often find that change isn’t as daunting as it first seems.
Case in point: Florida HB 1203. It’s sparked a lot of discussion. Some recent legislation (looking at you, Corporate Transparency Act) feels out of touch with the realities of our industry. But HB 1203? It seems well-intended. Let’s break down what it means for HOAs and management companies—and why I’m not losing sleep over it.
More board education is a good thing
The bill introduces board member education requirements. New board members often feel unprepared for their significant responsibilities—a sentiment echoed in CINC's annual State of the Industry surveys. By mandating education, HB 1203 helps equip board members with the knowledge and tools to navigate challenges like financial oversight, conflict resolution, and regulatory compliance. Ultimately, this leads to more effective governance, benefiting associations, association management companies, and homeowners.
Reducing covenant gray areas diffuses grievances
Another key part of the bill is how it regulates covenant enforcement, particularly regarding parking. HB 1203 sets clearer boundaries on what HOAs can enforce, including a much-needed definition of "commercial vehicle." Many HOAs have long restricted commercial vehicles in residential areas, and this bill makes an important distinction—separating work trucks from larger commercial vehicles. This change makes sense, especially in today's post-COVID world, where the line between work and home is blurrier.
Providing document access and transparency is easier than ever
HB 1203 requires HOAs to provide public web access to key documents. In the past, fulfilling these requirements could have been cumbersome—copying documents, mailing them out, or scheduling pickups. Today, modern CAM software like CINC's homeowner portal simplifies this process by offering a centralized document library. With just a few clicks, associations can make essential documents public. This ensures compliance while enhancing transparency and efficiency—never a bad thing!
Clear parameters mean fewer surprises and more fairness
The bill also outlines parameters for fines and violations, setting more precise guidelines on what fees can be imposed. At CINC, we've anticipated these shifts. Our platform offers automated reminders and escalation plans that help prevent surprises for homeowners and ensure a smoother, more predictable process for property management companies. These built-in safeguards are designed to support both compliance and customer satisfaction.
We’re all in this together
While Florida HB 1203 presents a pretty significant change, it's part of an evolving landscape that CAM companies can equip themselves to navigate seamlessly. At CINC, we understand state statutes in-depth and keep our product development process consultative. We work closely with our customers to ensure that any updates to our platform are intuitive and stress-free, with as little learning curve as possible.
By leveraging modern CAM technology and strong partnerships, we can turn these challenges into opportunities while continuing to deliver exceptional service in an ever-changing environment.
