Utah Launches HOA Ombudsman to Help Settle Disputes and Educate Communities

Utah has launched the Office of the HOA Ombudsman to give HOAs and homeowners clear answers on state law. The office, created by HB217 and placed under the Utah Department of Commerce, began operations on Monday.

The ombudsman will review requests from either HOAs or residents and provide an impartial advisory opinion. Its work only involves questions tied to Utah code. It will not rule on a community’s internal rules or CC&Rs.

“The focus here is not to try and weigh in on whether your garbage cans come in on time or what color your house is,” said bill sponsor Rep. Neil Walter, R-St. George, during the legislative session. Instead, he said the office will look at issues such as financial disclosures and rules on political yard signs, as well as other matters governed by state statute.

The Office of the HOA Ombudsman will also keep a registry of all Utah HOAs. It will provide educational resources and training sessions for boards and residents. “Our office is here to make a tangible difference by offering practical, accessible services like impartial advisory opinions on questions of state law and valuable educational resources,” said Erin Rider, who will lead the office. “We are dedicated to helping residents and associations navigate issues and build stronger relationships.”

Registration is now a requirement for all HOAs in the state. Those who do not register may face disciplinary action, which can include losing the ability to enforce liens against homeowners.

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