10 Common HOA Disputes in Maine
& How to Win (2026)

When your Maine HOA collects assessments but fails to maintain common areas — roads, pools, playgrounds, roofs, and landscaping — you have grounds for a breach of fiduciary duty claim. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, the board has a duty to maintain common elements in good condition. Maine homeowners should demand a written maintenance schedule, review the reserve fund balance, and document neglected areas with photographs.

Rental restrictions in Maine HOAs range from minimum lease terms (e.g., no leases under 12 months) to outright bans on all rentals including Airbnb and VRBO. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, rental restrictions in the original CC&Rs are enforceable. However, amendments adding new rental bans after your purchase must follow proper voting procedures. Maine homeowners should carefully review whether the restriction existed when they bought.

Special assessments in Maine HOAs can range from $500 to $20,000+ per unit, typically for major repairs the reserve fund cannot cover. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, the board must follow specific procedures — including proper notice and member voting if the assessment exceeds the declaration's threshold. Maine homeowners can challenge special assessments if the board failed to maintain adequate reserves or didn't follow the proper approval process.

Maine homeowners facing unfair HOA fines should know that under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, the association must provide written notice and 14 days to request a hearing before a fine becomes enforceable. The fine limit in Maine is: Set by CC&Rs — no statutory cap for planned communities. Many Maine HOAs impose fines without following proper notice procedures — making those fines potentially void. Document the violation notice, check whether the fine schedule is recorded in the CC&Rs, and respond within the deadline.

Selective enforcement — where the HOA punishes one homeowner while ignoring identical violations by neighbors — is one of the most common and most winnable disputes in Maine. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, enforcement must be consistent and uniform. Maine courts have held that selective enforcement constitutes a violation of the implied covenant of good faith. Document at least 3 neighbors with the same alleged violation using timestamped photographs.

Landscaping violations are among the most frequent fine triggers in Maine HOA communities. Common issues include grass height, unapproved plantings, dead trees, and failure to maintain flower beds. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, the HOA must define specific landscaping standards in the CC&Rs and enforce them uniformly. Maine homeowners should note that municipal water conservation orders may preempt HOA greening requirements during drought periods.

Maine homeowners have the right to attend board meetings, review financial records, and participate in governance decisions. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, the board must provide advance notice of meetings and make financial documents available for member inspection. Many Maine HOA boards hold meetings without proper notice, conduct business in executive session when the topic doesn't qualify, or refuse to share financial details — all of which violate homeowner rights.

Parking disputes in Maine HOA communities cover a wide range: guest parking limits, RV and boat storage bans, work truck restrictions, and towing from common areas. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, parking restrictions must be in the recorded CC&Rs to be enforceable. Board-adopted "parking policies" that go beyond the recorded covenants may not have legal authority. Maine towing statutes also require proper signage before vehicles can be removed from private property.

Maine homeowners frequently clash with architectural review committees that deny modification requests without objective criteria. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, the HOA must apply published architectural standards uniformly. Denials must be in writing and reference specific CC&R provisions — not the personal preferences of committee members. If your Maine HOA denied a modification without written reasons, the denial may be challengeable.

Board election disputes in Maine HOAs include failure to hold annual elections, proxy manipulation, improper ballot counting, and refusal to seat newly elected members. Under Maine Condominium Act — 33 M.R.S. § 1601; common law for HOAs, the association must hold annual meetings where board members are elected by the membership. If your board has not held an election as required by the bylaws, members can petition for a special meeting or seek a court order.