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Proudly Serving Miami-Dade County

America's Largest Law Firm Fighting BAD HOAs

#1 By Cases Won

Miami HOA Attorneys for Homeowners

IMA Law Firm of the Year

We Only Represent Homeowners

Miami-Dade is one of the most condominium-dense markets in the country—from the high-rise towers of Brickell, Downtown, and Sunny Isles Beach to the oceanfront associations of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, and Key Biscayne, alongside single-family communities in Coral Gables, Pinecrest, and Palmetto Bay. With that density comes a wide range of HOA and condominium disputes that demand attorneys who understand the local landscape.

LS Carlson Law represents Miami and Miami-Dade County homeowners exclusively in disputes with their HOAs and condominium associations. We never represent the association—only the individual homeowner. Our attorneys handle cases under both Chapter 720 (HOAs) and Chapter 718 (condominiums), with particular experience in the building-safety and reserve issues reshaping Miami-Dade's coastal condo communities.

After the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida's SB 4-D imposed mandatory milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies on condo buildings three stories and taller. Many Miami-Dade owners are now receiving five- and six-figure special assessments. When your condo board levies those assessments without proper procedures, or misallocates insurance proceeds, the financial stakes are enormous—and our attorneys hold associations accountable under Florida law.

With over 20 years of experience and more HOA cases won than any other firm nationwide, LS Carlson Law brings aggressive, results-driven representation to homeowners across Miami-Dade County.

We Wrote the Book
on Bad HOAs
We Wrote the Book on Bad HOAs - book cover

Types of HOA Disputes We Handle

Miami-Dade homeowners face unique HOA and condominium challenges shaped by the region's dense high-rise market, coastal exposure, and post-Surfside building-safety requirements.

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Associations in Miami-Dade are required to maintain common areas and shared structures under Florida Statute 720 (and Chapter 718 for condominiums). Salt-air corrosion, aging coastal high-rises in Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Beach, and neglected elevators, garages, and roofs take a real toll on Miami-Dade properties. When your association collects assessments but fails to perform necessary repairs, LS Carlson Law holds it accountable for its maintenance obligations. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Miami-Dade's architecturally strict communities make CC&R enforcement especially contentious—from Coral Gables' "City Beautiful" Mediterranean design standards to gated communities in Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay regulating exterior finishes and landscaping to the letter. Under § 720.305, homeowners must receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before an independent fining committee before fines can be imposed. When your association enforces architectural standards arbitrarily or imposes fines without proper procedures, LS Carlson Law fights back on your behalf. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Miami-Dade is one of the most diverse counties in the nation, and that diversity makes uniform, lawful treatment essential. The federal Fair Housing Act and Florida Statute 760 protect homeowners from discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, and other protected classes. When association boards engage in harassment, retaliatory fines, or discriminatory enforcement—including against owners who do not speak English as a first language—LS Carlson Law takes aggressive action on your behalf. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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High-rise living in Brickell, Downtown Miami, and Sunny Isles Beach puts neighbors in close quarters, generating frequent conflicts over shared walls, noise, balconies, and parking. Short-term rental activity in Miami Beach and Aventura adds another flashpoint, as associations move to enforce Airbnb and leasing restrictions. Florida's nuisance laws provide remedies when a neighbor's conduct substantially interferes with your use and enjoyment of your home, and your association's governing documents may impose additional obligations. LS Carlson Law helps Miami-Dade homeowners navigate these disputes and reach fair resolutions. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Miami-Dade's luxury high-rises promise resort-style amenities—pools, fitness centers, valet, marinas, and rooftop decks—that associations must maintain and fund properly. Under § 720.303, associations must maintain proper records and fund reserves for major repairs and replacements, and Chapter 718 imposes parallel obligations on condominiums. When your board blocks access to amenities, neglects maintenance, or improperly reallocates common-area funds, LS Carlson Law fights to protect your rights. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Large Miami-Dade associations with entrenched boards are prone to selective enforcement and retaliation—particularly in big high-rise condominiums where owners who challenge the board face retaliatory fines, and in master-planned communities like Doral where developer-controlled boards transitioning to homeowner control create political friction. Florida courts have consistently held that associations must apply covenants and restrictions uniformly. When your board targets you while ignoring identical violations by others, LS Carlson Law documents the enforcement patterns and holds your board accountable. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Miami-Dade association boards have a duty to act in the best interests of the community. When negligence leads to property damage, safety hazards, or financial loss, homeowners have the right to take action. Post-Surfside, structural safety is paramount—common examples in Miami-Dade include ignored building-integrity warnings in aging high-rises, mold from neglected water intrusion, and failure to timely complete required milestone inspections. LS Carlson Law helps Miami-Dade homeowners hold negligent associations accountable for breaching their duty of care. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Florida Statute 720.306 establishes specific procedures for HOA elections, including notice requirements, voting procedures, and candidate eligibility, and Chapter 718 sets parallel rules for condominiums. Miami-Dade's largest condominium towers have hundreds of units with many seasonal, absentee, and international owners—making them especially vulnerable to proxy farming and absentee-ballot manipulation, as boards exploit low off-season turnout to consolidate control. LS Carlson Law challenges fraudulent elections and fights to protect homeowners' democratic rights within their communities. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Florida Statute 163.04 protects homeowners' right to install solar energy systems, and HOAs cannot prohibit solar collectors based on renewable resources. Despite this clear protection, architectural review boards in single-family Miami-Dade communities like Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, and Coral Gables frequently impose unreasonable conditions on solar placement—demanding rear-only placement, specific panel colors, or screening that reduces system efficiency. As solar adoption grows across South Florida, the tension between modern solar rights and older community aesthetic standards continues to generate disputes. LS Carlson Law enforces your solar rights against overreaching associations. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Post-Surfside, Miami-Dade condo owners are facing some of the largest special assessments in the state as associations fund SB 4-D structural reserves and overdue repairs. Florida regulates HOA assessments under § 720.308, and Chapter 718 governs condominium assessments, each requiring specific procedures for levying and collecting. When your association imposes five- or six-figure special assessments without proper notice, awards contracts without competitive bidding, engages in self-dealing, or fails to provide financial transparency, LS Carlson Law investigates the irregularities and challenges the assessments on your behalf. Contact us to explore your legal options.

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Miami-Dade sits in one of the most hurricane-exposed corridors in the country, and coastal associations face recurring storm damage. When your association fails to maintain hurricane-resistant common elements, neglects required windstorm or flood insurance, or mishandles insurance proceeds after a storm, homeowners bear the consequences. LS Carlson Law helps Miami-Dade homeowners navigate post-storm disputes over reconstruction timelines, emergency assessments, and insurance allocation. Contact us to explore your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOA disputes in the Miami area are filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, in downtown Miami. Before filing, Florida Statute § 720.311 requires mandatory pre-suit mediation through the DBPR. For condominium disputes under Chapter 718, the process may instead involve mediation or non-binding arbitration through the DBPR Division of Condominiums.

Miami-Dade is one of the most condominium-dense markets in the country, so many disputes fall under Chapter 718 (condominiums) rather than Chapter 720 (HOAs). Coastal high-rises face post-Surfside building-safety requirements under SB 4-D and soaring insurance costs, and large associations with many seasonal and international owners see frequent governance and election conflicts. Assessment disputes are especially high-stakes given Miami's premium property values.

Yes. Miami-Dade has one of Florida's largest condominium populations, governed by Chapter 718, which has different requirements than Chapter 720 (HOAs). We handle both types of disputes, with experience in post-Surfside milestone inspections, structural integrity reserve studies (SIRS), mandatory reserve funding, and the DBPR regulatory process that applies to condominiums.

We represent homeowners across Miami-Dade County, including Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Doral, Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Kendall, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, Homestead, Hialeah, Miami Lakes, and Key Biscayne.

After the 2021 Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida enacted SB 4-D, requiring milestone structural inspections for condominium buildings three stories and taller and mandatory structural integrity reserve studies (SIRS). Associations can no longer waive reserves for major structural components, and many Miami-Dade condo owners now face large special assessments. Under Chapter 718, these assessments must follow specific procedures—our attorneys challenge improper assessments and hold boards accountable for how the funds are levied and spent.

Miami-Dade's barrier-island and waterfront condominiums in Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour, and Key Biscayne face soaring insurance premiums, post-Surfside building safety requirements, and aging infrastructure. Many condo owners are receiving unprecedented special assessments. Under Chapter 718, assessments must follow specific procedures, and mandatory reserve funding has eliminated the prior ability to waive structural reserves. Our attorneys challenge improper assessments and help condo owners hold their boards accountable under Florida law.

Reviews & Testimonials

"LS Carlson Law completely restored my faith in attorneys. Every person I worked with was knowledgeable, approachable, and straightforward — no nonsense, just genuine care and professionalism."

Myles Davidson - Google

"Within just a few months we reached a settlement after nearly two years of getting nowhere with another attorney. They restored our faith and saved us an incredible amount of time."

Derek Smith - Google

"Professional, compassionate, and genuinely dedicated to helping people. The level of care and communication from the firm truly stood out."

Cori Gruschow - Google

"I have worked with several attorneys over the 40+ years I have been in business and LS Carlson Law is the only law firm I felt put my problem first and not hell-bent on running up a massive bill."

Patrick Thomas - Google

"We strong-armed the other side into submission and they are now paying dearly for crossing me!"

Albee Flore - Google

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FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
Results that speak for themselves

Recent Client Wins

A selection of recent HOA matters resolved by our team. All identifying details have been redacted to protect client confidentiality.

20 Years
Established in 2006
#1
Best-selling HOA book
1,000+
HOA cases won
Award-Winning
IMA Legal Podcast of the Year

Homeowner Empowerment

Homeowner empowerment means equipping you with the knowledge, tools, and unwavering legal muscle to stand up to any overreaching HOA. It’s at the heart of everything we do—turning 20+ years of HOA courtroom victories and 505 five-star reviews into a movement that shifts the balance of power back to you. Because when homeowners know their rights and have a fiercely dedicated advocate on their side, unfair fines, arbitrary rules, and selective enforcement don’t stand a chance. That’s why empowering you isn’t just part of our practice—it’s our mission.

Bad HOATM Book

DIY Roadmap

We Wrote the Book on Bad HOAs... Literally. In Bad HOATM, we distill years of legal worker into a clear, no-nonsense guide designed to help homeowners understand their rights, stand their ground, and take legal action when necessary.

Bad HOATM Podcast

Get Educated

This podcast delves into the myriad ways HOAs can fall short of their duties, providing listeners with a how-to resource to handle disputes and understand different personality types within HOAs. Each episode features in-depth analysis of common homeowner grievances, interviews, and real-life situation assessments. "Bad HOATM" equips you with the knowledge to ensure that your HOA serves you.

Latest Episodes

Reform

Make a Difference

Your voice matters. LS Carlson Law is leading the charge to change broken HOA laws. Learn how you can support legislative efforts, speak up in your community, and help dismantle the power imbalance. It’s time to hold HOAs accountable — from the inside out.

We believe that if you can resolve your HOA issue without needing an attorney, that's a win.

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Articles, News & Resources

When Your Association Sends the Bill: How Florida Courts Evaluate Special Assessment Disputes
ARTICLE

When Your Association Sends the Bill: How Florida Courts Evaluate Special Assessment Disputes

The moment a special assessment arrives in your mailbox, the balance of power in your community can feel as though it has shifted. Understanding how Florida courts analyze these disputes — and what governance failures become central in litigation — is an essential first step.

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Investigating Florida Special Assessments Before Filing Suit: A Pre-Litigation Guide for Homeowners
ARTICLE

Investigating Florida Special Assessments Before Filing Suit: A Pre-Litigation Guide for Homeowners

For many Florida homeowners, few events are as financially disruptive as receiving notice that their homeowners association or condominium board has levied a substantial special assessment. The period before a lawsuit is filed is often when the most consequential work occurs.

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When the Board Comes for You: Retaliatory Enforcement in Florida Condominium Communities
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When the Board Comes for You: Retaliatory Enforcement in Florida Condominium Communities

There is a particular kind of condominium dispute that does not begin with a leaking roof or a delinquent assessment. It begins the moment a unit owner does something the board did not expect: asks to inspect the records, challenges an election result, or refuses to remain quiet at a board meeting.

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When the Board Says No: Florida HOA Architectural Review Committee Abuse
ARTICLE

When the Board Says No: Florida HOA Architectural Review Committee Abuse

You spent months planning it. You measured the dimensions, researched the materials, and carefully drafted the application to your association's architectural review committee. You believed you were following the rules. Then the letter arrived: denied.

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The Fine That Could Cost You Everything: Challenging Florida HOA Fines
ARTICLE

The Fine That Could Cost You Everything: Challenging Florida HOA Fines

It starts with a letter. Sometimes it arrives by certified mail. Other times it appears in your mailbox like a parking ticket. The notice informs you that the association has identified a violation, that a fine is being assessed, and that if you do not act, additional fines may follow.

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The Rules They Chose Not to Enforce: How Selective Enforcement Claims Expose Florida HOAs in Court
ARTICLE

The Rules They Chose Not to Enforce: How Selective Enforcement Claims Expose Florida HOAs in Court

For many homeowners, selective enforcement is difficult to identify until a clear pattern emerges. Your neighbor parks the same boat trailer that earned you a violation notice. Two streets over, an aluminum fence that would never have passed your architectural review committee has stood undisturbed for three years.

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Hurricane Damage and Your Florida Condo Association: Know Your Rights
ARTICLE

Hurricane Damage and Your Florida Condo Association: Know Your Rights

After a hurricane, Florida condo owners often face a second storm: the governance crisis inside the condominium association. Disputes over insurance, special assessments, reconstruction delays, and records access can determine whether owners absorb thousands in costs they never agreed to.

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When the Bill Doesn't Add Up: How Florida Condo Owners Can Challenge Special Assessments
ARTICLE

When the Bill Doesn't Add Up: How Florida Condo Owners Can Challenge Special Assessments

The moment a special assessment notice arrives, many Florida condominium owners feel a familiar tightening in the chest. The number is large. The explanation is vague. The deadline is close. Buried somewhere in the fine print is the threat of a lien against the property if payment is not made on time.

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When the Rules Become Weapons: Inside Florida HOA and Condominium Litigation
ARTICLE

When the Rules Become Weapons: Inside Florida HOA and Condominium Litigation

There is a moment in almost every serious HOA dispute when the homeowner realizes the conflict has changed. What started as a disagreement over a fence, a paint color, an unpaid fine, or a building repair has transformed into something more formal, more expensive, and consequential.

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The Bill You Didn't Vote For: How Florida HOAs Use Special Assessments and How Homeowners Fight Back
ARTICLE

The Bill You Didn't Vote For: How Florida HOAs Use Special Assessments and How Homeowners Fight Back

There are few moments in homeownership more disorienting than opening a letter from your HOA and discovering that you owe thousands of dollars. The charge is not part of your regular dues and not a fee you anticipated. Instead, it is a special assessment imposed by a board you may not have elected

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An Elite Strike Force in the Legal Industry

LS Carlson Law is proud to be considered an Elite Strike Force in the Legal Industry. We are comprised of battle-tested, highly skilled lawyers who operate with a single objective — to win.

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Tell Us About Your HOA Dispute

When you hire LS Carlson Law, you get aggressive Florida HOA and condo attorneys who understand Miami-Dade communities. Call us now or fill out the form to set an appointment.

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