What is Records Request?

Also called: Books and records inspection

A records request is an owner's statutory right to inspect or copy association records such as financials, contracts, minutes, and governing documents.

Most state HOA statutes grant owners inspection rights, subject to a written request, a proper purpose in some states, a response deadline (often 10 business days), and reasonable copying charges.

Certain records are typically exempt: attorney-client privileged material, personnel files, individual owner account and violation details other than the requester's own, and information subject to privacy law.

Slow or hostile responses to records requests are a leading driver of owner litigation. Associations that publish standard records — budgets, minutes, documents, contracts — proactively receive far fewer formal requests.

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Related terms

Meeting MinutesMinutes are the official written record of what a board or membership meeting decided, and they are generally available to owners on request.Governing DocumentsGoverning documents are the full set of records that control an association: the declaration/CC&Rs, bylaws, articles of incorporation, plat, and board-adopted rules.Open Meeting RequirementsOpen meeting requirements are state-law rules obligating boards to conduct association business at noticed meetings that owners may attend, with limited exceptions.

Answers straight from your own documents

Melo tells residents what Records Request means in your community — citing the exact page of your CC&Rs, budget, or rules.