An HOA has the authority to enforce the rules and regulations of the community using the community rules, or “bylaws and covenants.” These rules are considered “agreed upon” since homeowners approve them through board-elected representatives.
Unlike some states that have specific governmental agencies dedicated to regulating HOAs, Indiana does not have a single state agency that directly oversees these associations. Instead, the regulation of HOAs in Indiana is primarily governed by state statutes, the association's governing documents, and the courts.
In 2024, the California legislature passed an amendment that allowed online elections to be held within HOAs. It recognized that this could open the door to digital vote manipulation within the HOA's management, though, so the state mandated that each HOA election needed to have an independent inspector of elections.
Laws always supersede governing documents IF they conflict and the law applies to your HOA. In California, the Davis-Stirling Act may take precedent over general corporation codes because it's specific to HOAs.
What are unenforceable HOA rules? Keep you out of court. Hush up litigation. Discriminate indiscriminately. Enter your home without cause or notice. String you out on the (clothes)line. Fine you for fun. Change rules on the fly. Demand you take down your dish.
While you can propose rule changes through proper channels, there's no legal way to simply ignore or “get around” the HOA's covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) that you agreed to when purchasing in the community.
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.
Fines. Homeowner's associations in Indiana have the authority to penalize property owners for violations and unpaid dues.
Yes, you can sue an HOA in Indiana if you believe that the association has acted unlawfully, breached its fiduciary duty, or violated the terms of the governing documents. However, it is important to explore alternative dispute resolution methods and consult with an experienced attorney before taking legal action.