Records & TransparencyND
Getting Your HOA's Records in North Dakota
By The HOARebel Team · June 1, 2026 · 2 min read
When a North Dakota board won't explain where the money goes, the records usually hold the answer. North Dakota has no general HOA statute, so the records right depends largely on whether the association is incorporated — and, for condominiums, on the Condominium Ownership of Real Property Act's bylaw provisions. For your specific situation, a licensed North Dakota attorney is the right resource. This is general information, not legal advice.
For incorporated associations: the Nonprofit Corporation Act
Most North Dakota HOAs and condo associations are incorporated as nonprofits under the North Dakota Nonprofit Corporation Act (NDCC ch. 10-33). That Act gives members a concrete inspection right. Under § 10-33-80, "[a] member or a director, or the agent or attorney of a member or a director, may inspect all records ... for any proper purpose at any reasonable time," where a proper purpose is "one reasonably related to the interest of the person as a member or director." The Act also requires the corporation to keep, at its principal executive office, copies of its articles and bylaws, accounting records, and minutes of member and board meetings.
For condominiums: the bylaws must be available
For condominiums, the Condominium Ownership of Real Property Act adds its own transparency rule. Section 47-04.1-07(3) requires that "[a]ll bylaws, rules, and regulations as adopted by the unit owners or administrative body of the project must be reduced to writing and made available to every owner of any interest in the project." That gives condo owners access to the governing documents independent of the entity law.
What owners commonly request
People reviewing the association's books often look at:
- The annual budget, reserves, and financial statements
- Bank statements and vendor contracts
- The declaration/master deed, bylaws, adopted rules, and any fine schedule
- Board and member meeting minutes and notices
- The current statement of any assessment against the lot or unit
Records frequently feed other disputes — questioning a fine or the assessment lien usually starts with the underlying documents.
For the recorded documents themselves
The recorded declaration or master deed is always available from the county recorder's office for the property. Amendments to a condominium's bylaws are also recorded with the declaration under NDCC § 47-04.1-07. The adopted rules and fine schedule may not be recorded — those typically come from the association under the Nonprofit Corporation Act or the bylaws.
If records are withheld
The Nonprofit Corporation Act makes inspection enforceable: § 10-33-80 provides that a member or director "who is wrongfully denied access to or copies of records ... may bring an action for injunctive relief, damages, and costs and reasonable attorney's fees." Owners commonly put requests in writing (keeping a dated copy), name the records specifically, and consult a licensed North Dakota attorney for an unresolved refusal.