Michigan • Board dispute / records
Your Michigan board won't share records or play fair — what are your rights?
A Michigan board that stops sharing records, decides things behind closed doors, or runs questionable elections is frustrating partly because it's unclear what your rights are and who, if anyone, can help.
The short answer
Michigan has a community-association regulator that can sometimes help: LARA administers the Condominium Act but can't enforce it against associations; disputes run through court. Owners still have records, meeting, and election rights under the governing documents and Michigan law. CondoSignal reads your documents against Michigan's rules to tell you where you stand. Free.Michigan at a glance
State regulator
Yes
LARA administers the Condominium Act but can't enforce it against associations; disputes run through court
Governing law
UCIOA-based
Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.); site condos are condos, and HOAs run on nonprofit law + CC&Rs. Not UCIOA.
Super-lien
None
None — the association lien is junior to tax liens and to a first mortgage recorded before the lien notice
Resale disclosure
Cancellation right
None — Michigan has no statutory resale rescission (new construction gets a 9-day right)
Who can help in Michigan
Michigan is one of the minority of states with an avenue short of court: LARA administers the Condominium Act but can't enforce it against associations; disputes run through court. Knowing whether your state offers a non-litigation path shapes your realistic options.
Your records and meeting rights
Most states give owners a right to inspect the association's financial records, contracts, and minutes, and to receive notice of meetings — under Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.); site condos are condos, and HOAs run on nonprofit law + CC&Rs. Not UCIOA. and your governing documents. The scope and timelines vary, so the first step is establishing exactly what you're entitled to see and when. Put any records request in writing and keep the date.
Dysfunction vs. disagreement
Boards have broad discretion to make decisions you may dislike; the line into genuine dysfunction is usually procedural — records improperly withheld, meetings without notice, votes outside open session, flawed elections, or self-dealing. Those patterns are what a specialist can act on, and what's worth documenting.
Your rights in Michigan
As a Michigan owner you generally have rights to inspect association records, receive meeting notice, and a fair election under Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.); site condos are condos, and HOAs run on nonprofit law + CC&Rs. Not UCIOA. and your governing documents, with LARA administers the Condominium Act but can't enforce it against associations as a possible avenue. None of this is legal advice — confirm against the current statute and a licensed professional in your state.
What to check
- Put your records request in writing and note the date.
- Check Michigan's records-inspection right and timeline.
- Document missed meeting notices or closed-session votes.
- Review the governing documents for election procedures.
- Consider LARA administers the Condominium Act but can't enforce it against associations as a non-court avenue before you escalate.
- Watch for board self-dealing or undisclosed conflicts.
Sources
- MCL § 559.205 — reserve fund(High)
- MCL § 559.208 — assessment lien (no super-lien)(High)
- Mich. Admin. Code R 559.511 — 10% reserve floor(High)
Educational only — not legal, financial, or engineering advice. Confirm against the current statute and, where it matters, a Michigan-licensed professional.
Related guide
Michigan governance risk — the full guide →This page answers what to do right now. For how governance risk works in Michigan — the law, the process, and what to check before you buy or sell — read the full state guide.
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