Lake Meredith Harbor Owners Association

01/19/2026

Here’s how it works under Texas law:

1. Your Right to Inspect HOA Records
Under Texas Property Code §209.0051:
Homeowners have the right to inspect and copy the HOA’s financial records.
This includes:

Budgets
Income/expenses
Bank statements
Check registers
Contracts and invoices paid by the HOA

The HOA cannot hide records from a homeowner who makes a proper request.
This is often called a “financial audit by a homeowner,” even if you’re just reviewing the books yourself.

2. Fees They Can Charge
Texas law says:
The HOA can charge a reasonable fee to cover the actual cost of copying records.
This usually includes:
Photocopies or printing costs (often 10¢–25¢ per page)

Staff time to prepare the documents (sometimes a flat hourly rate)

The HOA cannot charge for simply letting you look at the records in person.
If you go to the HOA office and just review the books, there should be no cost.

Example:
You request a copy of 100 pages of invoices → HOA may charge $15–$25 for printing.

You review the records at their office in person → $0.

3. Limits on Fees
“Reasonable” is the key word — they cannot overcharge or use fees to prevent inspection.
If the HOA tries to charge hundreds or thousands just to see the books, that can be challenged legally.

4. Process
Make a written request to the HOA asking to review or copy records.
The HOA must provide access within 10 business days (common practice, some bylaws may specify 7–30 days).

If they deny access or overcharge, you can file a complaint under Texas Property Code §209.010.

⚠️ Key Takeaways
Reviewing the books in person should cost nothing.
Copying the records can cost a small, reasonable fee for printing or staff time.
Texas law protects homeowners from being blocked or overcharged.

12/06/2025

Time to audit our HOA.

Step One: Identify the Unfair Practices
The first step is to identify the unfair issue or treatment. Unfair treatment by an HOA can take many forms, including:

Selective enforcement of rules – If your neighbor is allowed to park a boat in their driveway but you receive a fine for it, your HOA may be enforcing rules unfairly.
Excessive fines and fees – HOAs can impose fines, but they must provide written notice and follow legal procedures.
Denying property modifications unfairly – If your HOA rejects your request for a fence or home improvement while allowing others to make similar changes, this could be an issue.
Failing to maintain common areas – Your HOA collects dues to maintain shared spaces. If they neglect this duty, they may be mismanaging funds.
Lack of transparency – Texas law requires HOAs to provide financial reports, meeting minutes, and other important records to homeowners upon request. If they refuse, they may be violating the law.
After pinpointing the issue, start collecting proof to back up your case. Save any letters or emails from the HOA, take photos if needed, and keep a copy of the community rules.

Step 2: Review Your HOA’s Governing Documents
When dealing with a dispute, start by reviewing your HOA’s rules and regulations. Look closely at the CC&Rs and bylaws to make sure the HOA is following the proper procedures.

For example, if you received a fine, check whether the HOA followed the proper steps. If they denied your request for a home modification, look for a clear reason in the CC&Rs. If the HOA isn’t following its own guidelines, you have a solid case to push back.

Step 3: Communicate with Your HOA in Writing
The next step is to address the issue with your HOA formally. Instead of confronting board members in person or over the phone, send a written complaint via email or certified mail.

Your letter should include:

A clear explanation of the issue
References to the HOA’s governing documents or Texas law
A request for a resolution
A deadline for a response
Putting everything in writing ensures you have a paper trail in case further action is needed.

Step 4: Attend an HOA Meeting and Raise Your Concerns
Texas law requires HOAs to hold open board meetings where homeowners can voice their concerns. If your written complaint is ignored, attend a meeting and speak during the homeowner comment period.

Come prepared with facts, copies of HOA documents, and a clear explanation of the issue. If other homeowners are facing similar problems, encourage them to attend and speak up as well.

If the board dismisses your concerns, request that your complaint be added to the meeting minutes as an official record.

Step 5: Request HOA Records
Under Texas law, HOAs must provide certain records upon request, including:

Financial statements
Meeting minutes
Vendor contracts
Lists of violations and fines
If you suspect your HOA is misusing funds, acting unfairly, or failing to enforce rules properly, you can submit a written request for records. If they refuse, they may be violating Texas transparency laws.

Step 6: File a Complaint with Texas Authorities
If your HOA continues to act unfairly, you can escalate the issue by filing a complaint with the Texas Attorney General’s Office or your local county or city government.

Filing a complaint won’t always result in immediate action, but it puts pressure on the HOA and creates a record of misconduct.

Contact Amarillo Real Estate Lawyer
If all else fails, consulting a real estate attorney in Amarillo may be the best course of action. Your lawyer can:

Send a formal demand letter to the HOA
Negotiate on your behalf
File a lawsuit if necessary
Texas courts have ruled against HOAs in cases of unfair fines, selective enforcement, and financial mismanagement. If your rights are being violated, legal action may be your best option.

Contact Our Amarillo Real Estate Attorneys
If you’re struggling with a difficult HOA and need legal guidance, consider speaking with a Texas real estate attorney. An experienced real estate law firm can help you navigate your rights and take the right steps to protect your home and investment.

You don’t have to face this alone—know your rights, take action, and push back against unfair HOA practices. Call Lawyers today at 806-372-5050 Richard Biggs.

09/18/2025

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08/08/2025

Texas law, if a HOA has a pattern of not enforcing payment of dues, that specific fee or assessment would be considered "abandoned" and unenforceable. However, the HOA can still ask for voluntary payment or donation, even having homeowners sign a contract agreeing to reestablish paying dues.

What it Means:
Property owners can use this principle to defend against attempts to collect the dues in court.
Factors Considered: Courts will look at the severity of prior unenforced violations and the extent to which a homeowner relied on the non-enforcement when they purchased their propely.

Document Non-Enforcement:
Gather evidence showing that the HOA has consistently failed to collect the dues from other homeowners.
Communicate with the HOA: Inform the HOA that you believe the fee is unenforceable due to the established pattern of non-enforcement.

Consult a Legal Professional:
If the HOA insists on collecting the dues, seek advice from a lawyer experienced in Texas HOA law.

Important Considerations
Fiduciary Duty:
HOAs have a fiduciary duty to their members, which includes managing the association's finances properly.

Looking for an attorney?

Biggs Richard
Attorney
(806) 337-1125

08/08/2025

Texas, an HOA waiver occurs when an HOA has been lax in enforcing a restriction to the point that the restriction is considered abandoned, and the HOA has waived its right to enforce it.

Laches is a defense against an HOA's enforcement action that argues the HOA unreasonably delayed in enforcing the restriction, and that this delay prejudiced the homeowner.

Both concepts protect homeowners from the unfair selective enforcement of HOA rules, though laches is a more specific legal defense focused on the prejudice caused by the delay itself.

HOA Waivers
Abandonment and Waiver: If an HOA allows multiple violations of a particular restriction without taking action, a court will find that the restriction is no longer enforceable because the HOA has effectively abandoned it.

Selective Enforcement: Waivers often arise from selective enforcement, where an HOA allows certain homeowners to violate the rules but tries to enforce them against others.

How it works: A homeowner can argue that a waiver exists by showing evidence that a reasonable person would conclude that the HOA no longer intends to enforce the restriction.

Laches
Equitable Defense: Laches is an equitable defense that a homeowner can raise in response to an HOA's enforcement action.

Unreasonable Delay: This defense applies when the HOA is unreasonably delayed in taking action to enforce a restriction.

08/08/2025

Reporting HOA fraud to the State of Texas can be done through a couple of avenues, depending on the nature of the alleged fraud:

1. Texas Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division
For instances of potential consumer fraud, including those related to HOAs, you can contact the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508.

You can also file a complaint online through their website, www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.

2. Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO) - Fraud Hotline
If the fraud involves the misuse of state resources or illegal acts affecting state funds, the SAO investigates these allegations.
Their fraud hotline is available at 1-800-TX-AUDIT (1-800-892-8348).

You can report Fraud
Important Note: Texas specifically regulates HOAs or investigates complaints from homeowners related to general HOA mismanagement. However, if the alleged fraud involves criminal activity or misuse of special assessment funds, then the Attorney General's office and State Auditor's Office are the appropriate avenues.

Are you a Texan concerned that your personal information is being unlawfully collected, sold, or mishandled by a business? 

08/08/2025

08/05/2025

I do believe that $200 assessment is now void and uncollectible.

In Texas, an HOA cannot legally use money from a special assessment for a purpose different from the one it was levied for, as this violates state law and the association's governing documents. Special assessments are for specific, unanticipated expenses like emergency repairs, major renovations, or replenishing depleted reserve funds, not routine maintenance or unrelated projects. If an HOA misuses these funds, homeowners can legally dispute the assessment and its misuse, potentially leading to a refund or other remedies.

Common Charges:

Grand Theft: Often involves large sums of stolen money.

Embezzlement: Misappropriating funds entrusted to an individual, that uses it or personal gane or in a fraudulent manner.

Fraud: Deception for personal gain, which can include various forms like submitting fake invoices, rigging elections, for using special assessments for something other than that that were collected for.

Money Laundering: Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.

Wire Fraud: Involves using electronic communications to defraud others.

Racketeering: Engaging in a pattern of illegal activities to obtain money or property.

08/04/2025

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08/02/2025

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This page is not run by the HOA it is private. All post are just opinion of the editor or others. We are not attorneys and we do not give legal advice. If you need legal advice you need to contact an attorney. This is for Lake Meredith Harbor property owners and/or interested persons, to learn more about the association, restrictions and post any related items they please about LMH. Listing of for sale or offers to buy properties are allowed, just ensure they are in the subdivision!!! Free speech is alive and well on this page!! (Threats are not free speech.)

08/02/2025

Texas, your HOA is generally required to provide you with receipts and paperwork, including financial records, for examination if you request them in writing, as a homeowner or authorized agent.

Here's why and what you need to know:
Texas Property Code Section 209.005 specifically states that an HOA shall make its books and records, including financial records, "open to and reasonably available for examination" by an owner or their designated agent (like an attorney or CPA).
The process involves a written request to the association or its authorized representative, specifying the records you want to review or have copied.
The HOA must respond to your request within 10 business days, either providing access or copies, or notifying you that they need more time (up to 15 additional days).

It is crucial to follow the proper procedure for requesting records, typically involving a written request by certified mail to the association's official mailing address.

08/02/2025

Where does the money go? No pool, the club house building is 1/2 done, no road repair. But it was said in one meeting there were record money and dues paid. Please let us know what money is really spent on. Guess trash cans are next to go? Why are the same people always in charge? If someone new gets in they quit in a very short time. They've mentioned many times that they're going to take that money and go after people's properties. Don't take this lightly because if a judge decides with them, you'll lose your property.