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

When your Michigan 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 Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act for HOAs, the board has a duty to maintain common elements in good condition. Michigan homeowners should demand a written maintenance schedule, review the reserve fund balance, and document neglected areas with photographs.

Michigan homeowners facing unfair HOA fines should know that under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act for HOAs, the association must provide written notice and 14 days to request a hearing before a fine becomes enforceable. The fine limit in Michigan is: Set by CC&Rs — no statutory cap for planned communities. Many Michigan 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 Michigan. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act for HOAs, enforcement must be consistent and uniform. Michigan 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.

Michigan homeowners frequently clash with architectural review committees that deny modification requests without objective criteria. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act 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 Michigan HOA denied a modification without written reasons, the denial may be challengeable.

Special assessments in Michigan HOAs can range from $500 to $20,000+ per unit, typically for major repairs the reserve fund cannot cover. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act for HOAs, the board must follow specific procedures — including proper notice and member voting if the assessment exceeds the declaration's threshold. Michigan homeowners can challenge special assessments if the board failed to maintain adequate reserves or didn't follow the proper approval process.

Parking disputes in Michigan HOA communities cover a wide range: guest parking limits, RV and boat storage bans, work truck restrictions, and towing from common areas. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act 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. Michigan towing statutes also require proper signage before vehicles can be removed from private property.

Landscaping violations are among the most frequent fine triggers in Michigan HOA communities. Common issues include grass height, unapproved plantings, dead trees, and failure to maintain flower beds. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act for HOAs, the HOA must define specific landscaping standards in the CC&Rs and enforce them uniformly. Michigan homeowners should note that municipal water conservation orders may preempt HOA greening requirements during drought periods.

Michigan law gives homeowners the right to inspect and copy association records including financial statements, meeting minutes, contracts, and member lists. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act for HOAs, the board must make records available within a reasonable time after a written request. If your Michigan HOA refuses to produce records or charges excessive copying fees, you can seek a court order and may be awarded attorney fees.

Board election disputes in Michigan HOAs include failure to hold annual elections, proxy manipulation, improper ballot counting, and refusal to seat newly elected members. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act 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.

Michigan allows HOA lien foreclosure for unpaid assessments. Under Michigan Condominium Act — MCL § 559.101; Nonprofit Corporation Act for HOAs, the association can record a lien for unpaid assessments and, in some cases, unpaid fines. Michigan does not require mediation before foreclosure. Never ignore a lien notice — respond in writing immediately, request an accounting of all amounts claimed, and consult an attorney if the amounts are significant.