HOA now required by law to be transparent with property owners following passing of HB 614

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- ABC13 has done plenty of stories on residents who dislike their homeowner's association after they were fined for random violations they were unaware existed.

For example, Kathleen Lowe was fined $250,000 by her HOA in 2022 for feeding ducks in the neighborhood.

"Have a heart," she begged at the time. "Just have a little heart."

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It might not be heart, but Texas House Bill 614 went into effect on Jan. 1, and is intended to make HOAs more transparent.

A local real estate attorney, Richard Weaver, spoke with ABC13.

"HOAs have a history and reputation of surprising homeowners with big fines," he said. "But now everybody can be on the same page without future surprises."

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Couple says they flew an Astros flag outside their home for years, but when they put a "Defund the HOA" flag outside, they were told it's not allowed.

The law requires HOAs to provide property owners with a list of what is not allowed, a schedule of fines, and information on what a hearing would look like.

That information must be posted to their website and given annually to residents via delivery, first-class mail, or email.

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