Connecticut HOA Law Changes 2021–2025: What Every Board Needs to Know

<h2>Overview of Connecticut HOA Law Changes 2021–2025</h2>

<p>Connecticut community associations are governed by the Connecticut Common Interest Ownership Act (CIOA, CGS § 47-200 et seq.). Between 2022 and 2024, the Connecticut Legislature enacted a series of significant updates affecting electronic governance, reserve fund requirements, member record access, EV charging rights, foreclosure protections, and community association manager licensing. Here's a session-by-session breakdown.</p>

<h2>2022 Legislative Session</h2>

<h3>PA 22-103 — Electronic Meetings and Voting</h3>

<p>Public Act 22-103 amended Connecticut CIOA to expressly permit association meetings and board meetings to be conducted by electronic means — video conference, telephone conference, or other electronic communication — provided all participants can hear each other simultaneously. Electronic voting is authorized for elections and member votes under the same statute, subject to association adoption of a written electronic voting policy. Boards must provide meeting access instructions to all members at least 48 hours before any electronic meeting. This change eliminated the prior ambiguity that had required Connecticut boards to hold all meetings in person to avoid procedural challenges. Associations that have not yet adopted written electronic meeting and voting policies should do so promptly.</p>

<h3>PA 22-119 — Reserve Study Mandate for Condominium Associations</h3>

<p>Public Act 22-119 required Connecticut condominium associations with 10 or more units to conduct a reserve study within 3 years of the act's effective date and update the study every 5 years thereafter. The reserve study must be performed by a qualified reserve analyst — a licensed engineer, architect, or a certified reserve specialist (RS designation from the Community Associations Institute). The completed study must be submitted to the association's board for formal adoption at a duly noticed board meeting. Reserve study results must be disclosed to all unit owners in the annual budget disclosure. Associations that have never conducted a reserve study — or that conduct informal internal assessments rather than a professional study — must engage a qualified analyst to come into compliance.</p>

<h2>2023 Legislative Session</h2>

<h3>SB 1 / PA 23-131 — HOA Financial Transparency and Record Access</h3>

<p>Public Act 23-131 expanded member record inspection rights under CIOA significantly. Connecticut associations must now make financial records, meeting minutes, and governing documents available for member inspection within 10 business days of a written request. Associations may charge reasonable copying fees, but may not deny access or require a member to appear in person to inspect records if the member has requested electronic copies. This means associations can no longer treat a written records request as an invitation to negotiate — the 10-business-day response obligation is statutory. Boards should establish a written record inspection policy and designate a staff member or manager responsible for fulfilling requests within the statutory timeline.</p>

<h3>HB 6853 — EV Charging Rights in Condominiums</h3>

<p>HB 6853 prohibited Connecticut condominium associations from unreasonably restricting the installation of EV charging equipment for individual units. Associations retain significant authority to manage the process: they may require that installations be performed by a licensed electrician, require that owners maintain their equipment and carry additional liability insurance, and require prior written board approval — but they may not deny approval without reasonable cause related to safety, building structure, or electrical capacity. If an association denies an installation request, the denial must be in writing and must state the specific reason(s). Boards should adopt a written EV charging installation policy that establishes the application process, approval timeline (recommended: 60 days), and standards for compliant installations.</p>

<h2>2024 Legislative Session</h2>

<h3>PA 24-86 — Foreclosure Protections and Collections Reform</h3>

<p>Public Act 24-86 strengthened protections for Connecticut condo owners facing assessment foreclosure. Associations must now send a notice of delinquency with an itemized statement of all amounts owed — principal assessments, late fees, interest, collection costs, and attorney fees accrued to date — at least 45 days before filing a foreclosure action. The notice must inform the owner of the right to cure the delinquency within the 45-day period, and the association is prohibited from adding attorney fees to the delinquency before the cure period expires. Boards and management companies that have been referring delinquent accounts directly to collection attorneys without a statutory pre-suit cure notice must update their collections workflows immediately.</p>

<h3>HB 5320 — Community Association Manager Licensing</h3>

<p>HB 5320 required Connecticut community association managers who manage 10 or more units (other than their own) to obtain a license through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. License applicants must complete 30 hours of pre-licensure education covering community association law, financial management, and governance, and must pass a written examination. Licensed managers must complete 15 hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain their license. Boards should confirm that their management company employs licensed managers — unlicensed management of Connecticut communities after the act's effective date is a violation of Connecticut law. This licensing requirement significantly raises the professional baseline for community association management in Connecticut.</p>

<h2>Board Action Checklist</h2>

<ul>

<li>Adopt a written electronic meeting and voting policy authorizing video conference participation</li>

<li>Engage a qualified reserve analyst to conduct a professional reserve study if one has not been performed in the past 3 years</li>

<li>Establish a written record inspection procedure with a 10-business-day response commitment</li>

<li>Adopt a written EV charging installation policy with a clear application and approval process</li>

<li>Update collections policy to require a 45-day pre-foreclosure itemized delinquency notice</li>

<li>Verify that your management company employs a Connecticut-licensed community association manager</li>

</ul>

<h2>How APM Helps Connecticut HOA Boards Stay Compliant</h2>

<p>APM's remote HOA management service monitors Connecticut CIOA updates and ensures client boards remain compliant with reserve study requirements, record access obligations, EV charging policies, and collections procedures. Our compliance team tracks every legislative session and updates client policy templates when the law changes. <a href="/remote-hoa-management/connecticut">Learn about our Connecticut remote management services</a>.</p>

<p><em>Legal disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Connecticut attorney for guidance specific to your community.</em></p>