Members' Access to Records

Do you know that Association Members (homeowners) have the right to access a considerable amount of HOA records?

Art. VI, Section 4 Books and Records (Page 11) of the By-Laws makes for good reading. 

(a) Inspection by Members and Mortgagees. The Declaration, By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation, any amendments to the foregoing, the rules and regulations of the Association, the membership register, books of account, and the minutes of meetings of the Members, the Board, and committees shall be made available for inspection and copying by any holder, insurer or guarantor of a first Mortgage on a Unit, Member of the Association, or by the duly appointed representative of the foregoing, at any reasonable time and for a purpose reasonably related to his or her interest in the Unit at the office of the Association or at such other place within the Properties as the Board shall prescribe. [emphasis added]

What can you do? You can inspect and copy. If you request copies, you'll get charged. You can "inspect" the documents without charge. The Board may tell the office staff to charge you. Be sure to object.

The office tried to make me pay $265 to inspect the 2022 Annual Audit during the long delay before it was posted on the website. I objected. I wanted to "inspect" the Audit, not get a copy of it. After a long fight, the then-Property Manager wanted to charge $125/hour to babysit me while I read the Audit. Again I refused. They allowed me to read it in the office and finally posted it on the website, where many prior years' Audits are posted.

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