States
New York special assessments: what your board must do.
Condo law only: 90 days' written notice before a lien foreclosure may start.
Condos
Does the board need an owner vote?
In the sections cited, New York's Condominium Act sets no owner vote for a special assessment; your declaration and by-laws decide, and the by-laws set what percentage of owners can adopt decisions binding on everyone. Separately, beyond any borrowing your declaration or by-laws authorize, the board may borrow for repairs, replacements, improvements and similar purposes only if the debt comes at least five years after the first unit sale and a majority in common interest of owners consents.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law 339-jj; 339-vWhat notice must owners get?
The sections cited set no notice period for adopting an assessment or for the meeting that adopts it; your by-laws must say how owner meetings are called. The board must give all owners a written report summarizing receipts and expenditures at least once a year.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law 339-v(1)(b); 339-wYour right to see the records
The board must keep detailed, accurate, chronological records of receipts and expenditures, and those records and the vouchers authorizing payments must be available for you to examine at convenient hours on weekdays. This section sets no deadline for the board to respond.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law 339-wPayment plans, late fees and liens
Unpaid common charges plus interest are a lien on your unit, which takes effect when the board files a verified notice of lien and lasts up to six years from filing. Before a foreclosure suit starts, the board must give you at least 90 days' written notice, in 14-point type, at the property address and any other address of record, stating the amount due. The sections cited set no cap on interest or late fees and no right to a payment plan.
N.Y. Real Prop. Law 339-z; 339-aaHOAs (houses and townhouses)
Owner vote
Most states let the board approve assessments up to a limit, or in a genuine emergency, without an owner vote. Larger assessments usually need owner approval. Your declaration and bylaws set the rest.
Notice
Owners are usually entitled to written notice that states the amount, the purpose and the due dates. Many states also require the board meeting where it was approved to be open to owners and noticed in advance.
Records
If your HOA is incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation, you can ask the governing board to let you review invoices, ledgers, bank accounts, reconciliations, contracts and other documents about how dues are spent. After six months as a member you can also ask for the annual financial statement, and on at least five days' written demand examine the minutes of members' meetings and the member list (the corporation can require an affidavit about how you will use the list). This law sets no fixed deadline for the board's response to the invoice and ledger request.
N.Y. Not-for-Profit Corp. Law 621(e-1); 621(b), (e)Payment, late fees and liens
Unpaid assessments usually lead to late fees, interest and a lien.
Summarised from the statutes in November 2026. Not legal advice; your declaration and bylaws may add more rules.