With this in mind, there should be at least three (3) board members. The Illinois General Not For Profit Corporation Act states that a corporation must have at least three (3) directors. If an HOA is organized as a nonprofit corporation, this may apply to them.
HOAs have the authority to regulate common areas and collect charges for their maintenance. They can also impose fines and foreclose on homes for unpaid liens. However, there are limitations on their powers. For instance, they cannot prohibit the display of the American flag or restrict certain religious practices.
The regulation of Homeowners Associations in Illinois falls under the oversight of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. However, HOAs are also subject to federal laws and regulations, as well as their own governing documents.
The main difference is that covenants dictate property-related restrictions, while bylaws govern how the HOA operates — things like board elections, meeting procedures, and voting rights. Because covenants are recorded with the property deed and tied to real estate law, they generally hold more weight.
Most HOA documents are public record, including governing documents. Some states only require the HOA to make certain documents public, while others can be kept confidential.
Any Florida HOA or inium association with 100 or more units must maintain a website or mobile app by January 1, 2025, where homeowners can access essential documents, such as governing rules, meeting minutes, budgets, and insurance policies. What happens if an association doesn't comply with these new laws?
What are association bylaws? Simply put, association bylaws are the legal guidelines for internal operations that an association needs to follow. They include the rules, regulations and processes that map out how to run an association day-to-day.
Simply put, homeowners association bylaws dictate how an HOA should run. Since HOAs are considered corporations under law, albeit non-profit, they require bylaws to govern day-to-day operations. HOA bylaws are also sometimes referred to as neighborhood association bylaws or subdivision bylaws.
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.
Most homeowners associations are governed by either the Illinois inium Property Act or the Illinois Common Interest Community Association Act.