The Minnesota Reformer reported on the legislative discussion surrounding homeowner association reforms in Minnesota, and Hellmuth & Johnson attorney Phaedra Howard was a key contributor to the debate.
While comprehensive HOA reform legislation largely failed to pass this year, despite widespread homeowner complaints about surprise bills and conflicts of interest, lawmakers did approve the creation of a new Common Interest Communities Ombudsperson within the Department of Commerce. This office will mediate disputes between homeowners and HOAs, though without enforcement authority.
The failed broader reforms would have required multiple bids for major repairs, blocked cities from mandating HOAs for development approval, and established standardized fine schedules. Howard, representing the Community Associations Institute, supported the ombudsperson solution while advocating against more extensive regulatory changes. She called it “a commonsense solution to the complaints that we all have heard,” expressing concerns about additional burdens on volunteer HOA boards.
Read the full article for complete details on the legislative process and stakeholder perspectives.