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Association Powers and Decision Making

Association Structure and Funds

Common Interest Developments (aka Homeowner Associations)

Director Election and Term

Enforcement and Disputes

Enforcement and Disputes

Alternative dispute resolution requirements imposed by law, and those imposed by the governing documents, are applicable to owner disputes. For a general discussion of alternative dispute resolution requirements, refer to the question “What are mediation and arbitration, and when are they mandatory.

Pet restrictions in governing documents are valid and enforceable. An owner in violation of the restrictions can be forced to give up his/her pet.

Statutory law explicitly prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, familial status, national origin, and disability. The law against discrimination is so broad that any occupancy restriction could be interpreted as discriminatory, including limits on the maximum number of occupants in a home. The only limitations that are clearly valid and enforceable are those that track the language of local and state health codes, and those that establish a project as senior citizen housing.

Each owner in a condominium project or planned development has the right to independently enforce the governing documents against any other owner. The mechanism for enforcement is either the court system or alternative dispute resolution depending on the nature of the violation and the dispute resolution provisions of the governing documents. Owners interested in pursuing an enforcement action should consult an attorney.

It is generally the best practice for the association to act each time an owner violates the governing documents. When HOAs ignore minor owner violations, it signals that repeated minor violations, or more significant violations, will be tolerated. This generally leads to more problems in the end.

Yes, associations must enforce their governing documents. In some cases, HOAs have discretion whether to enforce the governing documents if the dispute can be better resolved between a few neighbors. This discretion is removed, and enforcement is mandatory in instances where the governing documents explicitly require association action. But regardless of whether enforcement is mandatory, it is usually advisable for the association to avoid future enforcement problems.

Mediation and arbitration are methods of alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”). Their purpose is to save time and money by resolving disputes without going to court. Mediation involves a neutral person who attempts to help the parties resolve their dispute through discussion and compromise. A mediator does not make rulings or decisions. Consequently, mediation is always informal and non-binding. Arbitration involves a neutral person who acts as a surrogate judge. An arbitrator considers the position of each side, and the applicable law then makes a ruling. The parties decide in advance whether the ruling will be binding or non-binding.

Most governing documents require some form of ADR, but there is wide variation regarding the type of ADR required and the situations where the requirement applies. Regardless of what the governing documents say about ADR, there are certain circumstances when the law requires at least an attempt at ADR as a prerequisite to beginning any legal process.

An owner is responsible for his/her tenant’s compliance with the governing documents and can be fined or penalized for the tenant’s violations. Any owner who rents his/her unit should have a written rental agreement incorporating all the governing document usage restrictions, and making the tenancy subject to any additional restrictions that are enacted by the association during the rental term.

The law provides that in any legal action brought by an owner, or by a homeowner association, to enforce the provisions of the governing documents, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover his/her attorney’s fees and costs, provided they are reasonable. Some governing documents broaden the right to recover attorney’s fees and costs so that it applies to all disputes relating to the property, including those that do not involve enforcement of the governing documents. In all instances where a right to recover attorney’s fees exists, it will apply in arbitration as well as in court.

Insurance and Liability

Maintenance, Alteration, and Defects

Meetings and Decisions

Mortgages and Liens

Officers, Managers, and Committees

Owner Assessments

Ownership and Possession

Use of Common Area

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