To be legally recognized, an HOA must be properly established by filing a declaration with the county clerk and recorder where the property is located. This declaration includes important details such as the association's powers, property rights, and the responsibilities of its members.
To form an HOA in Texas, one initiates the creation of a nonprofit corporation in alignment with the Texas Nonprofit Corporation Act. This act specifies the legal framework for nonprofit entities, including HOAs. The process begins with articles of incorporation, which must be filed with the Texas Secretary of State.
Homeowners associations in Texas must be incorporated as nonprofit organizations under the Texas Nonprofit Corporation Act. Meanwhile, inium associations may be organized as for-profit or nonprofit corporations. The association must file the Articles of Incorporation with the Texas Secretary of State.
Disclosure Requirements Disclosure is mandated by law, often through public records and real property records. Before purchasing a home, buyers must receive a set of documents detailing the HOA's health, such as its covenants, conditions, restrictions, bylaws, rules, and financial statements.
House Bill 614 guarantees your right to a hearing before the HOA board to contest the violation or the proposed fine. This ensures a fair and transparent process where you can voice your concerns and advocate for your interests.
There must be at least three people on the Board of Directors. If an association's governing documents do not state how many people must serve on the Board of Directors, Texas law says that the number will be equal to the initial number of directors listed in the Articles of Incorporation.
Texas law places limits on HOA power, including restrictions on their ability to prohibit certain types of construction like solar panels and rules against unreasonable fines or foreclosure practices. The exact limitations are outlined in state statutes, which are intended to protect homeowners' rights.
Depending on the organizational form of the entity, however, the home or property owners' association may not be required to register with the secretary of state.
HOA board members in Texas can be sued personally if they engage in negligent, willful misconduct, bad faith, fraud, criminal activity or actions beyond their board authority.
Certificates are filed in the county where the property is located and electronically in the Homeowners' Association Management Certificate Database. They often include contact information, mailing address, and website where governing documents can be found.