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.
Contact the Texas Attorney General's Office: If you believe the HOA has violated state laws or regulations, you can contact the Texas Attorney General's Office to file a complaint. The Attorney General's Office may investigate the matter and take appropriate action if necessary.
If a property owners' association violates a provision of the Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act, the property owner may sue the association in a Justice of the Peace court. Civil lawsuits can generally be filed in district courts as well, but the process tends to be more complex.
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.
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.
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.
Homeowners have the right to challenge the HOA if the HOA is not following its governing documents or the law. However, before filing a lawsuit, homeowners are usually required to participate in dispute resolution through either internal dispute resolution (IDR) or alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
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.
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.
In 2021, the Texas Senate passed Bill 1588, which placed restrictions on HOA authority over fencing. This legislation ensures that if you own a property, your HOA cannot categorically deny you the right to a fence installation.