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

Overview of Louisiana HOA Law Changes 2021–2025

Louisiana enacted the most significant homeowners association reform in the state's history during this period, completely replacing its outdated HOA statute with a comprehensive new framework.

2024 Legislative Session

Act 158 — Louisiana Planned Community Act

The Louisiana Law Institute spent several years rewriting the state's Homeowners Association Act, and in the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, Act No. 158 was approved, creating the Louisiana Planned Community Act (La. R.S. 9:1141.1 et seq.), effective January 1, 2025. The old Louisiana Homeowners Association Act was only nine sections long and left most homeowner rights undefined. The new Act replaced it with a roughly 50-section framework covering budget disclosures, records access, meeting and voting procedures, and building-restriction amendments — modeled on the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, the same template used in Virginia, West Virginia, and Alaska. The Act applies to newly formed planned communities beginning January 1, 2025, and extends to existing planned communities beginning January 1, 2026, with certain exceptions — meaning boards of associations formed before the Act have a transition window but are not exempt indefinitely.

Key provisions boards should know: the declaration must allocate each lot's fraction or percentage of common expense liability, common surplus, and voting interest, and state the formula used; associations must deliver a paper or electronic ballot for member votes that sets out each proposed action with an opportunity to vote for or against; and unless the bylaws provide otherwise, a quorum at a members' meeting is 20% of the voting interest, whether present in person, by proxy, or by timely delivered absentee ballot.

Board Action Checklist

• Determine whether your community is a "newly formed" planned community (subject to the Act starting January 1, 2025) or an existing one (subject starting January 1, 2026), and plan your transition timeline accordingly
• Confirm your declaration properly allocates each lot's common expense liability, common surplus share, and voting interest with a stated formula
• Update ballot procedures to ensure paper or electronic ballots set out each proposed action with a clear for/against option per La. R.S. 9:1141.38
• Confirm your quorum practice matches the 20% default (or your bylaws' own stated threshold) under La. R.S. 9:1141.27
• Work with counsel to review your governing documents against the roughly 50-section Act well before your community's compliance deadline

How APM Helps Louisiana HOA Boards Stay Compliant

APM's remote HOA management service monitors Louisiana HOA and condominium law updates and provides client boards with compliance guidance and updated policy templates as the law changes. Learn about our Louisiana remote management services. Contact us at billing@apmhoa.com or call 810-777-7060.

Legal disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Louisiana attorney for guidance specific to your community.