Massachusetts is home to est. 8,000+ homeowners associations ranging from small 10-unit townhome communities to large master-planned developments. Self-managed HOAs in MA face the same core challenges as those everywhere - collecting dues, managing violations, coordinating maintenance - but operate under Massachusetts-specific laws that shape what boards can and can't do.
This guide covers what Massachusetts HOA boards should look for in management software and how Massachusetts's legal framework affects your operations.
The core operational needs are consistent regardless of state: online dues collection, a resident portal, violation tracking, maintenance request management, and email communications. These solve the day-to-day pain points for any self-managed board in MA.
In Massachusetts, a few things are worth paying attention to:
Massachusetts has a Condominium Act (G.L. c. 183A) but no comprehensive planned community HOA statute, so single-family HOA communities rely on their CC&Rs and general nonprofit or business corporation law for governance. Condominium associations in Massachusetts benefit from a 6-month super-priority assessment lien over first mortgages -- one of the most favorable in the country -- and are required to maintain adequate reserves. This lien priority significantly affects how Massachusetts lenders underwrite condominium mortgages.
Key things Massachusetts HOA boards should know:
Note: This is a general overview, not legal advice. Massachusetts HOA law changes regularly and varies by community type and governing documents. Consult a Massachusetts-licensed HOA attorney for guidance specific to your community.
For a self-managed HOA in Massachusetts, expect to pay $49–$99/month for full-featured software on a flat-tier plan. That covers communities from 10 to 150 units, with every feature included at a fraction of what a property manager would cost in MA (typically $300–$700/month for communities of that size).
Starting at $49/month, AffordableHOA serves communities across Massachusetts from 10 units to 1,000 units, with every feature included at every tier.
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Start free →Under G.L. c. 183A § 6, a Massachusetts condominium association's lien for unpaid common expenses has super-priority over a first mortgage for up to 6 months of assessments. This means that if a unit is foreclosed upon, the condominium association can collect up to 6 months of unpaid fees ahead of the mortgage lender. This provision significantly affects how lenders underwrite mortgages in Massachusetts condominium communities and is one of the strongest super-priority provisions in the country.
Yes. G.L. c. 183A requires Massachusetts condominium associations to maintain adequate reserves for the repair and replacement of common elements. The governing documents must address reserve funding, and boards that repeatedly waive reserves risk liability to unit owners. Non-condominium planned community HOAs in Massachusetts have no equivalent statutory reserve requirement.
No. Massachusetts does not have a comprehensive planned community act for non-condominium HOAs. These associations are governed by their CC&Rs and either the Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation Act or the Business Corporation Act, depending on how the entity is organized. Member rights and board authority in these communities are primarily determined by the governing documents rather than HOA-specific state law.
A Massachusetts condominium association can record a lien for unpaid common expenses and pursue judicial foreclosure under G.L. c. 183A. Non-condominium planned community HOAs must rely on their CC&Rs for collection authority and general Massachusetts lien law for enforcement. Both types of associations should follow their governing documents' notice requirements carefully before initiating any lien or foreclosure action.
Meeting rights for Massachusetts planned community HOA members are primarily determined by the CC&Rs and applicable corporate law -- either the Nonprofit Corporation Act or Business Corporation Act. Members of condominium associations have more defined statutory meeting rights under G.L. c. 183A, including the right to vote on major decisions. Both types of associations are generally required to hold at least one annual meeting of members per year.