The ARS grants the board specific powers such as the ability to foreclose on a house for unpaid liens and establish rules concerning the exterior appearance of homes and other community-related restrictions. HOAs in Arizona are also bound by rules set forth in their own governing documents.
The Supreme Court held that an HOA may not rely on a general amendment power provision in its covenants, conditions, and restrictions to place restrictions on landowners' use of their land only as to those restrictions for which the HOA's original declaration has provided sufficient notice.
Under Arizona law, an HOA may not issue a fine until it first offers you a hearing before the board of directors. If the HOA fails to provide you an opportunity for a hearing before the fine is imposed, the fine is illegal and not enforceable. Arizona law also requires that fines be reasonable.
State laws. Some states have laws that prohibit raising fees over a certain percentage. For instance, in Arizona, ing to Revised Statutes §33-1803, HOAs may not hike up fees by over 20% per year without a majority vote from the members of the community.
In 2024, Arizona introduced new laws affecting HOA governance. One significant change is HB-2067, which mandates the automatic removal of HOA board members who fail to hold a special recall meeting as required.
Except in cases where the governing documents specify otherwise, the request for dissolution must be approved by a majority of the votes or a majority of the voting power, whichever is less.
How to Seek Legal Action Consultation with an Attorney: Start by scheduling a consultation with an experienced Arizona HOA lawyer. Letter of Demand: In many cases, a letter of demand from your attorney to the HOA may lead to a resolution without going to court.
Homeowners should direct their complaints against a board member to the HOA board or the community manager. An effective board or manager will handle the complaint properly, even if it concerns one of their own. If need be, homeowners can request to enter dispute resolution.
Here are some of the documents you can ask for as a homeowner: CC&Rs: The covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) outline the rules and regulations of the community. Bylaws: The bylaws establish operational procedures for the HOA, like voting rights, elections, meetings, powers of the board, and more.
An HOA Board is held accountable by codes and laws. For example, homeowners associations in California are regulated by the California Corporation's Code, as well as other California state laws and codes. Some of these codes include: State of California Business and Professions Code.