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Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and condominium owners’ associations (COAs) are regulated by Illinois law and their own declarations, bylaws, and rules. Disputes can arise over assessments, enforcement of covenants, architectural requests, elections, maintenance responsibilities, or access to association records. O’Flaherty Law helps clients understand their rights and obligations while working toward efficient and cost-effective resolutions. We offer practical advice, tailored to your goals, whether you are a homeowner dealing with the actions of an association or a board looking for legal advice.
We represent individual property owners and associations throughout the Elgin area. We help with disputes involving unpaid assessments, enforcement of rules, board governance, contract issues, fines, liens, collections, and interpretation of governing documents. We know that no two communities are the same. We take the time to review the facts, Illinois statutes and your association’s governing documents to develop a legal plan of action to best protect your interests.
At O'Flaherty Law, we believe in responsive, transparent legal representation focused on practical results. Our team has extensive experience handling a broad spectrum of real estate and civil litigation matters and is well-positioned to approach complex HOA and COA issues from a variety of perspectives. We keep clients informed throughout each stage of the process, we explain legal options in layman’s terms and we try to resolve disputes through negotiation where possible, but are prepared to litigate where necessary. Whether you need advice before a dispute turns into litigation, or you are already in litigation, we can help.
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The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.
Schedule a ConsultationLearn More About The FirmI am personally committed to ensuring that each one of our clients receives the highest level of client service from our team. Our mission is to provide excellent legal work in a cost-effective manner while maintaining open lines of communication between our clients and their attorneys. Many of our clients are going through difficult times in their lives when they reach out to us. They should feel comfortable leaning on the experience and knowledge of our attorneys as their counselors and advocates. We are here to help!

It depends on the association's governing documents and the type of rule being adopted. Many day-to-day rules may be adopted by the board, while amendments to declarations or bylaws often require approval from a specified percentage of homeowners. Reviewing your governing documents is essential to determine whether proper procedures were followed.
Start by reviewing the declaration, bylaws, and applicable rules to confirm your concerns. You may be able to address the issue through communication with the board or by requesting records that explain the association's actions. If the dispute cannot be resolved, an attorney can evaluate whether the association has complied with Illinois law and its governing documents.
Yes. Under Illinois law and most governing documents, associations generally have the authority to record liens for unpaid assessments, late fees, and certain related costs. If you receive notice of a lien or collection action, it is important to understand your rights and explore your legal options before the matter progresses further.