SR445: SR445 Department of Community Affairs; investigate the abusive practices of homeowners' associations; encourage

This resolution responds to concerns that some homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Georgia are engaging in abusive, retaliatory, or financially exploitative practices against residents, with elderly homeowners described as especially vulnerable to intimidation and harassment. It also points to problems from unchecked short-term rentals in residential communities and unlicensed property management practices that have led to financial mismanagement. Rather than changing any law, the resolution asks the Department of Community Affairs to look into these HOA practices and their effect on elderly and vulnerable residents, with the goal of protecting those residents and improving resources and assistance where predatory practices exist. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Department of Community Affairs.

• Encourages, but does not legally require, the Department of Community Affairs to investigate abusive practices by homeowners' associations.
• Directs the investigation to focus on the impact of these practices on elderly and other vulnerable residents.
• States a goal of providing better resources and assistance to residents affected by predatory HOA practices.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Department of Community Affairs.
• Does not create any new law, penalty, funding, or enforcement mechanism; it is a statement of the Senate's position.

Homeowners living in communities governed by homeowners' associations, especially elderly and other vulnerable residents; homeowners' associations and their boards; and the Department of Community Affairs, which is asked to conduct the investigation.

If the Department of Community Affairs acts on this encouragement, homeowners facing intimidation, retaliation, or financial exploitation by their HOA could see closer state scrutiny and possibly more assistance. Because it is a resolution, it creates no binding legal changes on its own.

• The whereas clauses describe concerns about HOA abusive practices, retaliatory actions, financial exploitation, unlicensed property management, and short-term rental proliferation in residential communities.
• The resolved clause encourages the Department of Community Affairs to investigate HOA practices, focusing on effects on elderly and vulnerable residents.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Department of Community Affairs.

1. 2025-03-25Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-03-21Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-028)Primary sponsor
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)

• homeowners' associations
• elder protection
• housing
• consumer protection
• short-term rentals