The Washington Uniform Common Interest Homeownership Act protects homeowners’ rights and provides clear information for HOA Board operations; it applies to all communities and will take full effect in 2028. A community association management company can support Boards during this transition. Here are some things homeowners and community managers should know about WUCIOA:
Adjustments to Governing Documents
In cases where a community’s current governing documents conflict with the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, WUCIOA takes precedence. This requires governance shifts, and the Board should amend the governing documents to remain compliant. Managers may consult legal counsel for assistance with compliance. A community association management company helps educate the Board on integrating the changes required by WUCIOA. They offer information about legal requirements, and they provide document review and amendment support.
Under the Act, associations are no longer permitted to adopt covenants or rules that ban or impose unreasonable restrictions on heat pumps or electric vehicle charging stations. Managers help the Board review and remove provisions in the governing documents that prohibit residents from installing heat pumps or EV charging stations. The community architectural guidelines should be updated to provide clear information about installation, including contractor requirements.
Opportunities for Meeting Participation
Under the Washington Uniform Common Interest Homeownership Act, homeowners must be given additional opportunities to participate in meetings. All meetings, except executive ones, must be open to residents, and community members have at least 15 minutes to speak about agenda items. This provides residents with opportunities to offer direct feedback to the Board, which may influence decisions on community rules, budgets, and maintenance.
The Board is also responsible for providing residents with meeting agendas and notices with the time, location, and other relevant information. This allows homeowners to prepare to participate, and it promotes attendance. Utilizing templates for notices helps with consistency.
To promote homeowner engagement, the Act permits live virtual meetings. Opportunities to participate remotely or submit comments through other means allow those with mobility issues, young children, or other circumstances to attend and offer feedback. It is also helpful for communities without a designated meeting place. Managers can train Board members on managing virtual participation, and a community association management team helps with virtual meeting setup.
Timeframes for Challenging Board Actions
Homeowners now have a clearer timeframe to file legal challenges to Board actions: 90 days after the meeting minutes are published. This helps promote faster minute publication. Opportunities to challenge actions help protect homeowners’ rights, and it keeps the Board accountable for its actions. Managers can help Boards establish a minute approval process to streamline publication. Methods include selecting a Board member to approve minutes and utilizing standardized templates. Board member education also involves informing Board members about the consequences of delays.
Options for Assessment Payments
The Act sets new financial requirements; Boards must provide free assessment payment options. This offers additional protection for residents with different financial circumstances and encourages on-time payment of assessments, preventing compliance issues. Options include mailed checks and online platforms that do not charge service fees. Boards may also allow residents to pay assessments in-person. Managers explore free payment options with an association’s financial service provider. They also help the Board update web portals with information on paying assessments without service fees.
Learn More About WUCIOA
Receiving instruction about the Washington Uniform Common Interest Homeownership Act helps simplify the transition process. Community managers work with association Boards to improve financial accountability and homeowner communication about the new changes. Some community management association companies offer full-time services, providing support through a community manager. To learn more about WUCIOA, find a community management association company today.
