Homeowner Associations
Homeowner Associations
Homeowners associations (HOAs) exist to administer subdivision, condominium and other community-owned residential property, taking over the responsibilities from the real estate developer. Created under a subdivision indenture, declaration of condominium or other recorded instrument, the rights and duties of HOAs are set forth with varying degrees of clarity.
Generally, but not always, HOAs are incorporated and governed by a Board of Directors, a Board of Trustees or a Board of Managers who are elected to make decisions on behalf of the association. These management boards consist of not less than 3 persons elected by the residents on an annual basis to terms of 1, 2 or 3 years.
As an operating entity, each association has bylaws, or indentures, that guide the trustees and residents. HOAs and their Boards are duty-bound to enforce the subdivision indenture, condominium declaration or other instrument fairly and collect and disburse funds in such amounts to provide for the necessities and amenities of the subdivision, condominium or other community-owned property.
Occasionally, a HOA runs afoul of its limitations or fails to enforce or impartially and fairly enforce the subdivision indenture or condo declaration. In such a case, after being notified of a purported situation in violation of its governing documents, the HOA either has to defend itself or make adjustments to its operating procedures. And after notice, if no correction occurs, appropriate action by the owners to enforce the indenture or declaration may be appropriate.
For trustees, homeowners, and property managers, the legal issues surrounding the association can run from traditional real estate questions involving buying or selling property to more complicated questions involving the nonprofit structure or management of the association itself.
Our attorneys work regularly in the areas of law that associations may need to address, including, for example:
- Administrative Law
- Bankruptcy & Collections
- Corporate Law
- Environmental Law
- Landlord/Tenant Law
- Municipal/Zoning Law
- Nonprofit Law
- Public Utilities Law
- Real Estate
Our experienced attorneys regularly represent all types of homeowner associations — condominium, subdivision, villa and road. We look forward to doing so in your situation if the need should so arise.
Additional HOA-related topics:
Homeowner Associations Articles
For a Hole in Your Case or a Whole New Case
In a case handed down last month, the Missouri Court of Appeals denied an owner of one of three units in a condominium to bring an action against John Beal, Inc. ("Beal"). Beal had contracted with the Raymon Condominium Association to provide brick work on some, but...
Meeting Minutes: Are Your HOA or Condo Association’s Minutes Adequate?
They seem almost like an afterthought; perhaps they are. Minutes of board of director meetings and member meetings are a chore to prepare, possibly even a drudge. But they are critically important to your subdivision homeowners' association or condominium association....
Property Owner Can Keep Purple Swing Set Despite POA’s Disallowance
Lewis and Marla Stout live in the Raintree Lake community in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Two years ago, the Stouts erected a swing set and, at the request of their children, painted it purple. Pursuant to the Raintree Lake covenants and restrictions, the Stouts were...
Condo Owner Windfall of Over $500,000? Court Says “Not So Fast”
The Missouri Court of Appeals ruled in a recent case that the unit owners of a condominium building were not entitled to excess insurance proceeds remaining after their building was reconstructed. One of multiple buildings making up The Willows on the Lake...
