State Bar of Michigan - Business Law Section

Michigan Condominium and Homeowner Association Lawyers

A Michigan condominium and HOA lawyer advises association boards on governance, collections, rule enforcement, vendor disputes, and compliance with the Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.), and Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act (MCL 450.2101 et. seq.) helping communities operate lawfully while minimizing risk and liability in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb Counties.

We have over three decades of dedicated experience in providing comprehensive legal services to condominium and homeowner associations (HOAs). We are committed to delivering tailored legal solutions that address the unique challenges faced by community associations.

Whether you’re a board member, property manager, or homeowner, our skilled attorneys are here to guide you through the complexities of condominium and HOA law with confidence and clarity.

Led by attorney Richard Delonis, a former condominium association president with eight years of board leadership—our firm combines legal expertise with firsthand operational knowledge. We know the challenges you face because we’ve sat in your chair.

Our Extensive Experience in Community Association Law

Our team offers a wide range of services designed to support the effective management and operation of condominiums and HOAs:

Governing Document Drafting and Amendments: We assist in the creation and revision of essential documents, including bylaws, covenants, rules, policies, and restrictions, ensuring they are clear, enforceable, and aligned with current laws and the community’s objectives.
Compliance and Risk Management: Our attorneys provide guidance to ensure that associations adhere to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as their own governing documents. We focus on proactive strategies to mitigate risks and maintain the integrity of the community.
Dispute Resolution and Litigation: When conflicts arise, whether with homeowners, developers, or third-party vendors, our firm is prepared to represent associations in mediation, arbitration, or court proceedings. We aim for efficient and effective resolutions that serve the best interests of the community.
Assessment Collection and Enforcement: We support associations in implementing fair and effective assessment collection policies, including the enforcement of liens and, when necessary, foreclosure proceedings to address delinquent accounts.
Contract Negotiation and Review: Our team reviews, drafts, and negotiates contracts with service providers, ensuring that agreements protect the association’s interests and comply with applicable laws.

Our forward-thinking approach ensures your association is prepared for evolving challenges, from legislative changes to emerging community trends. Let us help you build a stronger, more resilient organization.

Common HOA & Condominium Legal Issues in Metro Detroit

Assessment Collection & Delinquencies

When owners fall behind on dues, the association’s budget suffers—and so does every compliant member. Michigan law allows associations to file a lien within 90 days of delinquency and pursue foreclosure if the debt remains unpaid. Our goal is to implement a consistent, written collection policy that reduces future delinquencies and treats all owners fairly.

We handle:

Demand letters and payment plans
Recording statutory liens under MCL 559.208
Foreclosure proceedings in Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, and Macomb County courts
Post-judgment collection

Read: Michigan Condo & HOA Assessment Collections: A Board’s Step-by-Step Playbook

Rule Enforcement Disputes

Boards often struggle with enforcing rules on pets, parking, short-term rentals, architectural changes, and nuisance behavior. The legal risk isn’t the rule itself—it’s inconsistent enforcement. Selective enforcement can trigger discrimination claims, Fair Housing Act violations, or breach-of-fiduciary-duty lawsuits.

Our approach:

Draft clear, enforceable rules with objective standards
Establish uniform notice and hearing procedures
Document enforcement decisions to show consistency
Defend the Association in court when owners challenge valid enforcement
Seek enforcement of the rules in court when necessary

Governing Document Confusion

Many associations operate under documents drafted decades ago that don’t reflect current Michigan law, community needs, or modern governance practices. Ambiguous language creates disputes. Outdated provisions can create liability.

We help boards:

Interpret contradictory or unclear provisions
Draft amendments
Modernize documents to address short-term rentals, EV charging, solar panels, and other emerging issues
Ensure compliance with the Michigan Condominium Act and Fair Housing laws

Vendor & Contract Disputes

From snow removal failures to roofing defects, vendor problems can expose the association to liability and financial loss. Our team reviews contracts before signing, addresses performance issues proactively, and litigates when vendors fail to perform.

When vendor disputes overlap with construction defects, we utilize our extensive experience in Construction Law to solve the issues.

Meeting, Election & Governance Issues

Procedural errors in meetings, elections, or board actions can invalidate decisions or expose directors to personal liability. Michigan law and governing documents impose strict notice, quorum, and voting requirements.

We advise on:

Proper notice for meetings, and for special assessments or rule changes
Quorum requirements and proxy voting
Removal of directors and recall elections
Minutes, resolutions, and corporate formalities

Premises Liability & Insurance

When someone is injured on association property, such as a slip-and-fall in the clubhouse, a pool accident, or a deck collapse, the association may face a premises liability claim. Determining whether the association’s general liability policy or individual unit owner’s HO-6 policy applies depends on where the injury occurred and who controlled the area.

Read: Michigan Condo Premises Liability: Insurance + Maintenance Playbook for Boards

Why Choose Szura & Delonis, PLC?

Specialized Knowledge: Our attorneys focus extensively on community association law, equipping us with the insights necessary to address the specific needs of condominiums and HOAs. This isn’t a side practice—it’s a core area of our firm.
Board Leadership Experience: Attorney Richard Delonis served as a condominium association president for eight years. He understands budget constraints, difficult owners, vendor failures, and the pressure to keep assessments low while maintaining property values. This perspective shapes our advice.
Proven Track Record: With a history of successfully representing numerous associations across Michigan, our firm has a reputation for excellence and reliability in the field of community association law.
Statewide Reach, Metro Detroit Focus: Our Southfield office is centrally located to serve associations throughout Oakland County (Troy, Novi, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield), Wayne County (Livonia, Canton, Dearborn, Plymouth, Westland), Macomb County (Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Shelby Township), and Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti).

Schedule a Consultation

Ready to secure top-tier legal support for your condominium or HOA? If your condominium or homeowner association requires experienced legal counsel, Szura & Delonis, PLC is ready to help. We offer flexible consultation options and transparent pricing, including reasonable hourly rates and flat fees for defined projects.

Email: admin@szuradelonis.com
Phone: (248) 716-3600
Address: 29777 Telegraph Rd #2401 Southfield, MI 48034

Helpful Resources for Michigan Boards

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Condo and HOA Law

What does a Michigan condominium lawyer do for an association board?

A Michigan condo lawyer advises boards on governance, interprets governing documents, drafts amendments, enforces collection policies, defends the association in litigation, and ensures compliance with the Michigan Condominium Act (MCL 559.101 et seq.) and Fair Housing laws.

When should a condo board hire an attorney?

Boards should involve counsel when facing delinquent assessments exceeding budget tolerance, disputes over rule enforcement, vendor contract issues, governing document ambiguities, owner lawsuits, or major decisions like special assessments or board elections. Early involvement prevents costly mistakes.

How can a board avoid selective enforcement claims in Michigan?

Apply one written policy consistently, document objective reasons for any exceptions, and maintain detailed records of all enforcement actions. When boards enforce rules inconsistently—punishing some owners but not others—Michigan courts may find breach of fiduciary duty or discrimination.

Do you work with property managers and management companies?

Yes. We frequently coordinate with managers to improve processes (collections, notices, enforcement documentation, vendor contracts) and reduce the board’s exposure over time.

Do you represent individual condo or HOA owners?

Sometimes. We evaluate each situation for conflicts of interest. If we represent the association, we cannot also represent an owner in a dispute against that association. If we cannot assist, we’ll tell you quickly.

How much does a Michigan condo or HOA lawyer cost?

We offer flexible pricing: hourly rates for ongoing counsel, flat fees for defined projects (e.g., lien filings, document amendments), and contingency or litigation fee arrangements when appropriate. We provide cost estimates upfront and work within the association’s budget.

Metro Detroit Condominium & HOA Legal Representation

Located in Southfield, Szura & Delonis, PLC provides comprehensive legal counsel, bylaw modernization, and assessment collection services to association boards throughout Southeast Michigan and the entire State of Michigan. Enforcing the Michigan Condominium Act and an HOA’s governing documents requires attorneys who understand not only the law, but the specific local courts where disputes are resolved and liens are recorded.

Washtenaw & Livingston Counties: Protecting the financial health and operational integrity of condominium and homeowner associations in Ann Arbor, Brighton, Howell, and beyond.

Oakland County: From recording assessment liens at the Pontiac Register of Deeds to litigating covenant enforcement in the 6th Circuit Court, our Oakland County HOA and condo lawyers provide dedicated representation for associations in Southfield, Novi, Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, and surrounding communities.

Wayne County: Our Wayne County condo and HOA lawyers assist boards in Detroit, Livonia, Dearborn, and the broader Wayne County area with proactive general counsel, vendor contract disputes, and aggressive assessment collections.

Macomb County: Whether your board needs to record assessment liens at the Macomb County Register of Deeds in Mt. Clemens or litigate covenant violations in the 16th Circuit Court, our Macomb County HOA and condo lawyers deliver proactive representation. We assist associations in Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Macomb Township, and throughout the county with Master Deed modernization, bylaw enforcement, and district court collections.

We also handle cases in other Michigan counties as needed.

Client Reviews

Rick Delonis was outstanding for me in a business matter. Only providing professional information and execution. He was always there to answer anything I needed.

Brian Klanow

This firm has been handling my legal work for nearly 10 years. They have excelled when it comes to reviewing my business contracts, handling articles of incorporation for my entities and, most importantly...

Dan

These guys are the best. They really took care of me when I needed them the most. Very honest and truly care about their clients. I would highly recommend Rick Delonis and the other partners at this law firm to...

John

Being a landlord sometimes is not all it's cracked up to be. Being new to the game mistakes will be made and can be very costly if not handled correctly. After initial negotiations failed our case went to trial...

Francis

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