When You Must Allow an HOA Representative to Enter Your Unit

Unlike with single-family homes, HOA community representatives may have the right to enter your dwelling space under certain circumstances.

By , J.D. · UCLA School of Law

If you own a home in a planned development, you might enjoy reduced maintenance obligations, as the homeowners' association (HOA) likely takes care of common areas such as walkways and clubhouses. However, as an owner, you might not be happy knowing that representatives of your HOA could have the right to enter the interior of your home, as well.

To know whether and when someone from your HOA can enter your home, you must look to your development's governing documents as well as to any applicable state laws regarding:

  • HOA representatives' entry rights under ordinary circumstances
  • HOA emergency entry rights
  • HOA rights to enter a unit for maintenance purposes
  • HOA rights to enter a unit to inspect for violations
  • what advance notice an HOA representative must give before entering a unit, and
  • what to do if and when an HOA representative enters your unit in violation of the rules or state law.

Where It Says What Entry Rights HOA Representatives Have

Most planned development's actions are governed by a set of documents that go by names like "articles of incorporation," "bylaws," and "Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions, and Easements," as well as any other rules and regulations adopted by the HOA. You must read these to see what entrance rights they give your HOA's representatives.

Additionally, you must look to your state's laws, which might contain statutory limitations on HOAs' entrance rights. If so, and there is a conflict with the rights in the governing documents, state law will control.

The right of your HOA to enter owners' units might be limited, perhaps allowed only in emergency situations. Or they could be broad, such as if the HOA is allowed to inspect for rule violations or other reasons.

If you don't already have a copy of your development's governing documents, request one from your HOA. If you need help reviewing these, or in finding information on your state's statutes, an attorney in your area can assist.

Typical HOA Emergency Entrance Rights

Most developments (as well as most states' laws) provide that an HOA representative can enter an owner's unit in emergency situations, or for health and safety reasons. Most owners will not object to this right, since it can help prevent a home from sustaining ongoing damage in the owner's absence, and prevent damage to adjacent homes.

For example, if the HOA determines an absent owner's home is flooding and leaking into the unit below, the HOA can immediately send someone to enter the unit to stop the water leak.

Typical HOA's Right to Enter a Homeowner's Unit for Maintenance Purposes

Many HOAs also have the right to enter an owner's unit to maintain common elements. This happens most often with condominium units, where the interior of an owner's unit might contain systems serving the building as a whole (such as common plumbing or air ducts).

The HOA typically can send someone to enter an owner's unit to perform common element inspections, maintenance, and repairs. Ordinarily an HOA must notify the owner a week or two prior to entering.

Typical HOA Right to Enter to Inspect a Unit for Rule Violations

An HOA might also have the right to enter an owner's unit to inspect for a violation of the development's rules or regulations. Normally this is allowed only if the HOA has good reason to believe a violation is occurring. For example, if you live in a development that doesn't allow pets, and an HOA representative hears a dog barking in your unit, the HOA might have the right to enter your unit to see if you are violating the pet prohibition.

Most HOAs are hesitant to enter an owner's unit to inspect for rule violations, however. This is because it's difficult to determine how much evidence an HOA needs to warrant an entrance. If the HOA enters a unit improperly, it risks liability for trespass, and might be in violation of the owner's privacy rights.

Additionally, notice to the owner is typically required before making any entrance to inspect for a rule violation. This can make the entrance right rather ineffective. ("Oops, we got a notice from the HOA, send the dog to Aunt Martha's for the day!")

Typical HOA Advance Notice Requirements

Both HOA governing documents and state statutes usually say something about what type of notice to the homeowner HOAs must give before sending a rep to enter their unit. State statutes commonly require that HOAs provide an owner with "reasonable" notice.

What's considered "reasonable" depends on the situation. For example, prior notice of between three days and a week might be reasonable for an HOA wishing to enter an owner's unit to perform periodic common area maintenance. On the other hand, if immediate entrance is necessary for health or safety reasons (such as if there is a fire in the unit), minimal or no notice is probably acceptable.

What If an HOA Rep Enters Your Unit Illegally?

If you believe someone from your HOA entered (or is demanding to enter) your unit in violation of any law or the terms of the governing documents, you might have a legal case against the HOA for trespass (unauthorized access onto private property).

Additionally, the HOA might be liable for a breach of fiduciary duty if it acts in a discriminatory manner when entering owners' homes (such as by entering only units whose owners the HOA president is feuding with).

An HOA has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of all the community's homeowners and to enforce all the rules and restrictions fairly. If the HOA is arbitrarily and discriminatorily entering units, it is breaching its fiduciary obligation to the owners by not acting in the community's or individual homeowner's best interests.

If you feel your HOA is committing an illegal or discriminatory entrance, first meet with the HOA's board of directors to present your views. Bring a copy of the applicable state laws and governing documents. Sometimes an organized and well-presented argument can persuade the HOA to accede to your requests.

If the HOA does not respond, or does not agree with you, an experienced attorney in your can help review your situation and determine whether legal action against the HOA is warranted or advisable.

Talk to a Lawyer

Need a lawyer? Start here.

How it Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you
Get Professional Help

Talk to a Real Estate attorney.

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you