The Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted Act 115, which amends Title 68 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes and impacts the governance of homeowners associations (also known as planned communities), inium associations and cooperatives in the Commonwealth.
In Pennsylvania, homeowner associations (HOAs) are governed by specific state laws to maintain order and regulate affairs within planned communities. These regulations are primarily outlined in the Uniform Planned Community Act (UPCA), codified in Title 68, Chapters 51-54 of the Pennsylvania statutes.
For instance, in Pennsylvania, HOAs are regulated by the Uniformed Planned Community Act (UPCA). This act applies to all planned communities with more than 12 units and creates responsibilities for HOAs to oversee these communities. That said, HOAs typically have documents that regulate themselves.
Iniums in Pennsylvania are governed by the Uniform inium Act, 68 Pa. Stat. §§ 3101 to 3414 (the “UCA”). Although “inium” is a term generally used to refer to an individually-owed unit, it is also a form of ownership where property other than the individual unit is deemed to be common property.
In general, homeowners can request HOA documents that cover the following: Governing documents, including the CC&Rs, bylaws, articles of incorporation, community plat, and operating rules; All board and membership meeting minutes and notices; Membership lists; All insurance policies of the association;
Disbanding an HOA or Transferring Powers in Pennsylvania Proposal of dissolution by the executive board. Notice to the members following prescribed timelines. Approval by a certain percentage of members as defined by the association's bylaws or the state's non-profit statutes.
In California, Civil Code Section 4740 requires owners to provide an applicant's name and contact details to the board before leasing the property. However, whether an HOA can screen potential tenants further through background checks, credit scores, and rental histories remains silent.
Renters and landlords can both thrive in the HOA environment. While renters enjoy many of the same benefits as other residents, they must also abide by the same standards and responsibilities.
Code § 4160.) The majority of the rights granted to members under the association's governing documents or the Davis-Stirling Act therefore do not extend to renters, nor may they be validly transferred to renters.