Michigan is home to est. 10,000+ homeowners associations ranging from small 10-unit townhome communities to large master-planned developments. Self-managed HOAs in MI face the same core challenges as those everywhere - collecting dues, managing violations, coordinating maintenance - but operate under Michigan-specific laws that shape what boards can and can't do.
This guide covers what Michigan HOA boards should look for in management software and how Michigan'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 MI.
In Michigan, a few things are worth paying attention to:
Michigan has a large HOA population but no comprehensive planned community statute for single-family HOA communities, leaving those associations to operate under CC&Rs and general nonprofit corporation law. Condominium associations are governed by the Michigan Condominium Act (MCL § 559.101 et seq.), which provides a detailed framework including reserve fund requirements, co-owner voting rights, and lien enforcement procedures. Michigan's lack of a planned community statute means that homeowner rights in non-condominium HOAs vary widely from community to community depending on what each association's documents say.
Key things Michigan HOA boards should know:
Note: This is a general overview, not legal advice. Michigan HOA law changes regularly and varies by community type and governing documents. Consult a Michigan-licensed HOA attorney for guidance specific to your community.
For a self-managed HOA in Michigan, 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 MI (typically $300–$700/month for communities of that size).
Starting at $49/month, AffordableHOA serves communities across Michigan from 10 units to 1,000 units, with every feature included at every tier.
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Start free →Michigan does not have a comprehensive planned community act for non-condominium HOAs. These associations are governed by their CC&Rs, bylaws, and the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act (MCL § 450.2101 et seq.). This means that homeowner rights, board authority, and enforcement procedures are determined by the governing documents and general nonprofit law rather than HOA-specific statutes.
The Michigan Condominium Act (MCL § 559.101 et seq.) provides co-owners (unit owners) with rights including access to association records, the right to attend open board meetings, the right to vote in elections, and the right to enforce the condominium master deed and bylaws. The Act also sets procedures for lien enforcement and foreclosure for unpaid assessments. These rights apply specifically to condominiums governed by MCL § 559.101.
A Michigan planned community HOA can file a lien against a member's property for unpaid assessments under general Michigan lien law and pursue judicial foreclosure. The specific notice and collection procedures are governed by the community's CC&Rs. Michigan condominium associations follow the lien and foreclosure procedures in the Michigan Condominium Act (MCL § 559.208). Boards should consult a Michigan real estate attorney before initiating any collection action.
Yes. Under MCL § 559.205, Michigan condominium associations must maintain adequate reserves for capital expenditures and must include reserve fund information in their annual financial disclosures. Non-condominium planned community HOAs have no equivalent statutory reserve requirement; reserve funding for these associations depends on each community's CC&Rs.
Michigan does not require HOA managers serving planned community or condominium associations to hold a state-issued community association management license. Voluntary professional certifications are available through national organizations such as CAI (CMCA, AMS, PCAM) and are commonly held by professional Michigan HOA managers, but they are not mandated by Michigan law.