At a glance
Vermont common interest communities are governed by the Vermont Common Interest Ownership Act (Title 27A of the Vermont Statutes), a comprehensive uniform statute covering condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities.
Key facts
Vermont Common Interest Ownership Act
27A V.S.A. (all chapters); nonprofit corporate law: Title 11B
- Primary statute
- Vermont Common Interest Ownership Act, 27A V.S.A.
- Corporate law
- Most HOAs are nonprofit corporations under Title 11B
- Open meetings and records
- Required, with owner access
- Budgets
- Adopted and ratified by the members
- Assessment lien
- Limited priority over a first mortgage
- Reserves
- Reserve planning addressed by the Act
- Applies to
- Condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities
- Owner protections
- Solar and flag display addressed
Homeowners associations in Vermont are governed by the Vermont Common Interest Ownership Act, found in Title 27A of the Vermont Statutes. It is a comprehensive uniform statute governing condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities. This guide summarizes the areas boards ask about most. It is general information, not legal advice.
The governing statute
The Act sets extensive rules for Vermont associations, covering creation, meetings, records, budgets, reserves, and assessments, alongside your recorded documents. Most Vermont HOAs are also incorporated as nonprofit corporations, so Title 11B governs corporate matters such as member and board meetings, director duties, quorum, and voting.
Meetings and open-meeting rules
Board meetings are generally open to members with notice, with limited matters allowed in closed session. Notice and procedures follow the statute and your bylaws.
Elections and voting
Directors are elected by the members as provided by the Act and the governing documents, with notice, quorum, proxy, and ballot procedures set by those rules.
Records access and owner inspection
Owners have the right to inspect and copy association records under the Act, subject to reasonable rules and limited exceptions for protected information.
Budgets and reserves
The board adopts a budget and distributes it to owners, and it generally takes effect unless rejected by the required member vote. The Act also addresses reserves, so boards should budget for and fund reserves for major repairs.
Assessments, liens, and foreclosure
Associations may levy assessments and record a lien for unpaid amounts, which carries a limited priority, and may pursue foreclosure subject to statutory procedure. Boards typically involve an attorney for liens and foreclosure.
Fines and enforcement
Associations may adopt and enforce rules and impose reasonable charges for violations, subject to notice and an opportunity to be heard as provided by the Act and the documents.
Owner protections on common restrictions
Vermont addresses certain owner rights, including the display of the United States flag, and the recorded restrictions otherwise control. Review the specific statute and your documents before denying a related request.
Where to get official help
The Vermont Common Interest Ownership Act appears in Title 27A of the Vermont Statutes. For a specific situation, consult a Vermont attorney experienced in community association law.