Delaware HOA & Condo Laws

Assessment Collection Compare across states

How HOAs and condominium associations charge, collect, and enforce regular and special assessments. Covers dues billing, delinquency notices, late fees, lien filing, judicial and non-judicial foreclosure, statute of limitations, and …

25 Del. C. §81-316

DUCIOA — Lien for Assessments

Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. Interest rate capped at the lesser of 18 percent per annum or the highest rate …

Reserve Requirements Compare across states

Statutory requirements for reserve studies, reserve funding, component inventory, funding plans, and board fiduciary duty regarding major repair and replacement obligations.

25 Del. C. §81-315

DUCIOA — Reserves for Capital Expenditures and Major Maintenance

Mandates reserve studies for condominiums and cooperatives (not explicitly for planned communities). A reserve study must be current (performed or updated within the last 5 …

Meetings and Notice Compare across states

Board and owner meeting requirements — open meeting mandates, advance notice periods, agenda requirements, minimum owner comment periods, executive session limits, remote participation, and materials access rules.

25 Del. C. §81-308

DUCIOA — Meetings

Requires at least one unit owner meeting per year. Notice must be given not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days in advance. Special …

Elections and Voting Compare across states

Director elections, board member removal votes, governing document amendments, secret ballot requirements, quorum rules, proxy voting, electronic voting, and inspector of election requirements.

25 Del. C. §81-308

DUCIOA — Meetings

Requires at least one unit owner meeting per year. Notice must be given not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days in advance. Special …

Enforcement and Fines Compare across states

Association authority to enforce governing documents through fines, suspension of privileges, and legal action. Covers fine limits, hearing requirements, notice-and-opportunity procedures, and limitations on enforcement authority.

25 Del. C. §81-316

DUCIOA — Lien for Assessments

Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. Interest rate capped at the lesser of 18 percent per annum or the highest rate …

Resale Disclosure Compare across states

Resale certificate and transfer disclosure requirements at the time of unit sale. Covers disclosure timing, content, fee caps, delivery deadlines, buyer rescission rights, and association liability for inaccurate information.

25 Del. C. §81-409

DUCIOA — Resale of Units

Requires delivery of a resale certificate within 10 days of a unit owner's request. Fee capped at $200 per certificate plus $50 for paper copy. …

Fiduciary Duty Compare across states

Board member fiduciary obligations — duty of care, duty of loyalty, business judgment rule, conflict of interest disclosure, and personal liability exposure. Statutory duties imposed on directors and officers of …

25 Del. C. §81-303

DUCIOA — Executive Board Members and Officers

Board members must exercise the degree of care and loyalty required of an officer or director of a Delaware corporation. Declarant control terminates at the …

Governance Documents Compare across states

The foundational documents governing common interest communities — declarations (CC&Rs), bylaws, articles of incorporation, rules and regulations, architectural guidelines, and resolutions. Document hierarchy, amendment procedures, and recording requirements.

25 Del. C. §2201

Delaware Unit Properties Act (Pre-DUCIOA)

The original Delaware condominium statute (8 subchapters), governing condominiums created before September 30, 2009. Still in force for pre-DUCIOA communities unless they voluntarily elect DUCIOA …

25 Del. C. §81-102

Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act — Applicability

Establishes the applicability of the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (DUCIOA) to all common interest communities created after September 30, 2009. Pre-existing communities are …

Foreclosure and Liens Compare across states

Assessment lien filing, priority, extinguishment, and foreclosure procedures. Minimum thresholds for foreclosure, pre-foreclosure notice requirements, mediation mandates, super-priority provisions, and the interaction between HOA liens and mortgage liens.

25 Del. C. §81-316

DUCIOA — Lien for Assessments

Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. Interest rate capped at the lesser of 18 percent per annum or the highest rate …

Developer Transition Compare across states

The handoff from developer control to owner-controlled governance. Turnover requirements, document delivery obligations, transition audits, warranty periods, and developer liability for construction defects revealed after transition.

25 Del. C. §81-303

DUCIOA — Executive Board Members and Officers

Board members must exercise the degree of care and loyalty required of an officer or director of a Delaware corporation. Declarant control terminates at the …

Legal Facts by Category
Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. 25 Del. C. §81-316
Foreclosed in like manner as a mortgage on real estate, by equitable foreclosure 25 Del. C. §81-316
Within 3 years after the full amount of the assessments becomes due 25 Del. C. §81-316
Aggregate customary common expense assessment against such unit for 6 months 25 Del. C. §81-316 (b)
Buyer may cancel within 5 calendar days after receipt. 25 Del. C. §81-409
Requires delivery of a resale certificate within 10 days of a unit owner's request. 25 Del. C. §81-409
Within 10 days after a request by a unit owner 25 Del. C. §81-409
The purchaser, before conveyance, may cancel the contract within 5 calendar days after first receiving the resale certificate 25 Del. C. §81-409
Three-year statute of limitations on lien enforcement. 25 Del. C. §81-316
Interest rate capped at the lesser of 18 percent per annum or the highest rate permitted by law. 25 Del. C. §81-316
If the association fails to deliver within 10 days, no fee may be charged. 25 Del. C. §81-409
Fee capped at $200 per certificate plus $50 for paper copy. 25 Del. C. §81-409
$200 for each certificate 25 Del. C. §81-409
Still in force for pre-DUCIOA communities unless they voluntarily elect DUCIOA coverage. 25 Del. C. §2201
The original Delaware condominium statute (8 subchapters), governing condominiums created before September 30, 2009. 25 Del. C. §2201
DUCIOA provisions apply retroactively to pre-2009 communities for post-2009 events. 25 Del. C. §2201
Establishes the applicability of the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (DUCIOA) to all common interest communities created after September 30, 2009. 25 Del. C. §81-102
Pre-existing communities are subject to certain DUCIOA provisions for post-2009 events and may voluntarily elect full DUCIOA coverage. 25 Del. C. §81-102
Board members must exercise the degree of care and loyalty required of an officer or director of a Delaware corporation. 25 Del. C. §81-303
At transition, declarant must provide an audit at its sole expense by a non-affiliated CPA. 25 Del. C. §81-303
Declarant control terminates at the earliest of: 75 percent of residential units conveyed, 2 years after sales cessation, or 7 years for nonresidential units. 25 Del. C. §81-303
Requires at least one unit owner meeting per year. 25 Del. C. §81-308
Notice must be given not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days in advance. 25 Del. C. §81-308
Special meetings may be called by the president, board majority, or unit owners holding at least 20 percent of votes. 25 Del. C. §81-308
Unit owners must have a reasonable opportunity to offer comments at any meeting. 25 Del. C. §81-308
Not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days in advance 25 Del. C. §81-308
Association may not commence foreclosure unless the owner owes at least 3 months of assessments and the executive board votes to proceed against that specific unit. 25 Del. C. §81-316
When no current study exists, minimum reserve contributions are required: 15 percent of annual budget (4+ major systems), 10 percent (3 systems), or 5 percent (2 or fewer). 25 Del. C. §81-315
Major systems include roofs, windows, exterior walls, elevators, HVAC, pools, and parking garages. 25 Del. C. §81-315
Performed or updated within the last five years 25 Del. C. §81-315
A reserve study must be current (performed or updated within the last 5 years). 25 Del. C. §81-315
Mandates reserve studies for condominiums and cooperatives (not explicitly for planned communities). 25 Del. C. §81-315
Legal references last verified April 15, 2026. This content is educational and informational. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal guidance specific to your situation.
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