General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- Homeowner associations follow the Property Owners' Association Act, and condominiums follow the Virginia Condominium Act.
- Owners may examine and copy association books and records after a written request, subject to listed exceptions for privileged or personal information.
- Board meetings are generally open to owners, with notice given in advance and closed sessions allowed for limited topics.
- Unpaid assessments can become a lien on the lot once the association records a memorandum of lien within the time the statute allows.
Virginia homeowner associations follow the Property Owners' Association Act and condominiums follow the Virginia Condominium Act, with the Common Interest Community Board overseeing association registration and complaints.
Virginia hoa laws at a glance
| Rule | Virginia | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | Homeowner associations follow the Property Owners' Association Act, and condominiums follow the Virginia Condominium Act. | Va. Code 55.1-1800 et seq. and 55.1-1900 et seq. |
| Owner access to records | Owners may examine and copy association books and records after a written request, subject to listed exceptions for privileged or personal information. | Property Owners' Association Act |
| Board meeting notice | Board meetings are generally open to owners, with notice given in advance and closed sessions allowed for limited topics. | Property Owners' Association Act |
| Assessments and liens | Unpaid assessments can become a lien on the lot once the association records a memorandum of lien within the time the statute allows. | Property Owners' Association Act |
The governing law
Association rules come in layers: state law first, then the declaration, the bylaws and finally board rules. A rule that conflicts with a higher layer usually fails.
Governing law. Homeowner associations follow the Property Owners' Association Act, and condominiums follow the Virginia Condominium Act. (Va. Code 55.1-1800 et seq. and 55.1-1900 et seq.)
Records
Owner access to records. Owners may examine and copy association books and records after a written request, subject to listed exceptions for privileged or personal information. (Property Owners' Association Act)
Board meetings
Board meeting notice. Board meetings are generally open to owners, with notice given in advance and closed sessions allowed for limited topics. (Property Owners' Association Act)
Assessments, liens and collections
Assessments and liens. Unpaid assessments can become a lien on the lot once the association records a memorandum of lien within the time the statute allows. (Property Owners' Association Act)
Rental restrictions
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
Mistakes to avoid
- Holding board decisions without the notice owners are entitled to.
- Not keeping records ready for owner requests.
- Fining owners without the notice and hearing steps in the governing documents.
- Enforcing rental rules that are not in the recorded documents.
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General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these Virginia rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Virginia attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- Va. Code 55.1-1800 et seq. and 55.1-1900 et seq.
- Property Owners' Association Act
Official sources
Virginia forms for this topic
Before you act on it. Check the statute too; this is not legal advice.
Which law governs HOAs in Virginia?
Homeowner associations follow the Property Owners' Association Act, and condominiums follow the Virginia Condominium Act. Source: Va. Code 55.1-1800 et seq. and 55.1-1900 et seq..
Can Virginia homeowners see association records?
Owners may examine and copy association books and records after a written request, subject to listed exceptions for privileged or personal information. Source: Property Owners' Association Act.