The Fourth District Court of Appeal has reversed a trial court's dismissal of a complaint against an HOA, clarifying procedural rules for motions to dismiss in community association disputes.
What the court decided: In Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Rio Poco Homeowners' Association, Inc., the appellate court held that a trial court improperly considered materials outside the complaint when ruling on a motion to dismiss. The court found that motions to dismiss must be limited to the four corners of the complaint and attached exhibits—and may not reference extraneous materials such as presuit mediation responses or party emails.
Key holding: Where a plaintiff alleges in the complaint that all conditions precedent to suit have been satisfied or waived—including compliance with section 720.311(2)'s presuit mediation requirement—and nothing in the complaint or exhibits negates that allegation, the factual issue of waiver precludes dismissal at the pleading stage.
Who this affects: All homeowners' associations operating under section 720.311, Florida Statutes, which mandates presuit mediation before filing suit. This decision impacts how trial courts evaluate whether an HOA has complied with statutory prerequisites to litigation.
Status: The opinion was issued May 6, 2026, and is not final until any timely motion for rehearing is resolved.
Managers and boards should consult legal counsel regarding application to pending or anticipated disputes.