Can a Violation of Bylaws Prevent a Member From Being on the HOA Board?
Full Question:
Answer:
The answer will depend on all the facts involved, such as the terms of the HOA bylaws for eligibility and whether the violation is knowingly made. For example, if the bylaws state that the director must be a member in good standing, then an uncorrected violation of the rules could cause the person to be ineligible.
A tort action alleging or founded upon negligence or willful misconduct by any agent or employee of the association or in connection with the conditions of any portion of the instrument which the association has the responsibility to maintain must be brought against the association. No lot owner can be precluded from bringing such an action by virtue of his membership in the association. A judgment against the association arising from a tort action will be a lien against the assets of the association.
Please see the following GA statutes:
44-3-223. Every lot owner and all those entitled to occupy a lot shall comply with. . . .
Every lot owner and all those entitled to occupy a lot shall comply with all lawful provisions of the property owners' association instrument. In addition, any lot owner and all those entitled to occupy a lot shall comply with any reasonable rules or regulations adopted by the association pursuant to the instrument which have been provided to the lot owners and with the lawful provisions of the bylaws of the association. Any lack of such compliance shall be grounds for an action to recover sums due, for damages or injunctive relief, or for any other remedy available at law or in equity, maintainable by the association or, in any proper case, by one or more aggrieved lot owners on their own behalf or as a class action. If and to the extent provided in the instrument, the association shall be empowered to impose and assess fines and suspend temporarily voting rights and the right of use of certain of the common areas and services paid for as a common expense in order to enforce such compliance; provided, however, that no such suspension shall deny any lot owner or occupants access to the lot owned or occupied.
44-3-229. If the instrument provides that any member of the board of directors or. . . .
If the instrument provides that any member of the board of directors or any officer of the association must be a lot owner, then, notwithstanding Code Section 44-3-221, the term "lot owner" in such context shall, unless the instrument otherwise provides, be deemed to include, without limitation, any shareholder, director, officer, partner in, or trustee of any person who is, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, a lot owner. Any individual who would not be eligible to serve as a member of the board of directors or officer were he or she not a shareholder, director, officer, partner in, or trustee of such a person shall be deemed to have disqualified himself or herself from continuing in office if he or she ceases to have any such affiliation with that person.