Minnesota and Georgia Join Wave of States Enacting Homeowners' Bills of Rights

A growing number of states are enacting homeowners' bills of rights—laws designed to protect residents but that also significantly limit how HOA and condo boards manage their communities. Minnesota and Georgia are the latest to join this trend, each bringing substantial new rules that boards will need to navigate.

Minnesota's new Homeowners Association Bill of Rights takes effect January 1, 2027, and contains roughly 30 to 40 changes to how associations operate. Key provisions include a $100 cap on fines per violation (with limited exceptions), and new foreclosure restrictions requiring homeowners to be at least three months behind on assessments and certain fines before a board can proceed. The law also prevents boards from rejecting partial payments from delinquent homeowners on ACH arrangements unless foreclosure has already begun, and restricts how those payments can be applied—late fees and fines cannot be covered by such payments.

Georgia's Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act adds its own compliance layer. HOAs must now register with the state or risk losing the ability to collect fines, record liens, or foreclose. The law also mandates that associations maintain 10 years of records and provide three years of records—including governing documents—to the state upon request.

Both laws contain vague or undefined language that may require further legislative clarification or court interpretation, potentially increasing legal costs for associations trying to comply. If you're in another state, monitoring these laws is worthwhile; they reflect a broader legislative movement that may influence your own jurisdiction in coming years.

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