Federal Law Supersedes State Law. While a municipality can write local laws they can be stricter than the State law (as long as they do not run counter to the State or U.S. Constitution) But cannot contradict state law.
Homeowners often ask whether local laws supersede the rules and regulations set forth by their homeowner association (HOA). The short answer is yes, local laws do supersede HOA rules.
Generally, it is the laws that were in effect at the time the HOA documents were recorded. Your HOA documents are contracts between the HOA and its members so new laws cannot, generally, be applied retroactively to override them.
Finally, is an HOA considered a local government? No—HOAs are not considered a local government entity. While they do hold some administrative functions for a community, such as collecting assessments and enforcing rules, they do not possess the authority granted to real government bodies.
Once you buy a home that's part of an HOA, you automatically become a member of the HOA. HOA rules are legally binding, and you must adhere to all rules and regulations in the governing document. Yes, there are bylaws that you may not like, but there are no HOA loopholes.
The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) requires that the sponsor file an offering plan for the homeowners association, and that the sponsor maintain the commitments it made in the offering plan. The OAG's jurisdiction is limited to ownership and maintenance of HOA common property.
Many HOAs maintain a website where governing documents are posted. To find HOA rules and regulations online: Navigate to the HOA's official website. Look for sections labeled “Documents,” “Governing Documents,” or “Rules and Regulations.”
The HOA board sets these fees based on the community's budget and financial needs. The board calculates these fees to ensure adequate funding for maintaining and operating shared spaces and amenities. Therefore, negotiating your personal HOA fees is usually not an option.
One of the primary reasons HOA fees might feel high or are on the rise is inflation. The increasing costs of services, labor, and materials place HOAs in a challenging position, often leading them to make tough choices between hiking up assessments or cutting back on services and maintenance.