Community associations deal with everything from assessments and disputes to fair housing compliance and contract negotiations. And while many boards are made up of well-meaning volunteers, even small legal missteps can lead to major costs—or lawsuits.
At Anva, we work with law firms and managers who specialize in keeping HOAs out of legal hot water. These are the top five legal mistakes we see community associations make—and how your firm or management company can help them avoid them.
1. Not Following the Governing Documents
Many HOAs overlook their own CC&Rs, bylaws, or rules and regs—especially during board transitions. Violating your own governing documents can invalidate decisions, expose the board to liability, and spark resident complaints.
Avoid it:
Encourage routine training for board members and have legal counsel review major decisions. Anva’s document management features can also keep governing documents centralized and accessible.
2. Inconsistent Enforcement of Rules
If one resident is fined for a violation while another isn’t, it opens the board up to claims of selective enforcement or discrimination.
Avoid it:
Create a clear, written enforcement policy and apply it uniformly. Anva’s case tracking can help document every notice and communication, providing a full paper trail.
3. Failing to Collect Assessments Properly
Skipping or delaying collections may seem neighborly—but it jeopardizes the financial health of the association. Worse, attempting to collect without the proper legal steps can backfire.
Avoid it:
Work with legal counsel to create a compliant collections process. AnvaPay™ helps law firms and HOAs streamline payment plans, automate notices, and track delinquent accounts from start to resolution.
4. Violating Fair Housing Laws
Unintentional violations are common, especially around issues like assistance animals, parking, or occupancy limits. The legal consequences can be severe.
Avoid it:
When in doubt, consult with legal counsel before taking action. Build awareness through training and documentation. Anva can assist by creating a reliable audit trail for every case and request.
5. Operating Without Legal Counsel
Too many boards try to manage legal matters alone to save money. But the cost of a lawsuit or noncompliance is almost always higher than routine legal support.
Avoid it:
Partner with an association attorney or law firm that understands your local laws. Anva’s ecosystem is designed to support firms that serve HOAs—with built-in tools to make case management, billing, communication, and compliance easier.
The Bottom Line: Proactive is Better than Reactive
Most legal issues in community associations are preventable. With the right partners, policies, and platforms in place, HOAs can stay compliant, resolve disputes faster, and keep communities thriving.
Want to see how Anva helps law firms and HOAs work smarter, not harder?
Schedule a demo and we’ll show you what modern legal management looks like.
Sign Up for Exclusive Updates
Stay Ahead with the Latest in HOA and Legal Tech — Subscribe Now!
Try for 30-Days
Claim Your FREE Anva Trial
Discover the future of legal management with Anva’s powerful, user-friendly platform. Schedule your demo now and experience the difference Anva can make for your firm’s efficiency and client engagement.
