Alabama's records right is specific about what it covers and unusually broad about who can invoke it. Section 35-20-13(a) requires a covered homeowners' association to maintain records and information and make them available, upon written request, "within a reasonable time not to exceed 30 days from the date of the request, and upon the payment of reasonable associated costs." Critically, that right belongs to "each member or potential purchaser," not members alone, so someone under contract to buy a lot, or intending to finance one, can invoke it directly, before they've ever closed.
Section 35-20-13(b) then lists ten specific categories the association must provide or direct the requester to a public record containing: current and pending assessments and mandatory dues; which common areas the association owns versus which ones its dues merely fund; the current operating budget, reserve funds, and last fiscal year's financial statement; insurance coverage, including any fidelity bond; loans against the association and any collateral pledged; the association's official name and current officer and agent contact information; the current CC&Rs with all amendments and the current architectural control regulations; any initiation or transfer fees due at closing; a list of all existing common areas; and the case number or other identifying information for any pending lawsuit, judgment, lien, arbitration, or other dispute-resolution process the association is a party to.
A second, general hook baked into every association's own governing documents
Beyond the specific § 35-20-13 list, § 35-20-5(c)(3) requires every covered association's own organizational documents to provide for "the compilation, organization, and maintenance of full and complete financial records of the association available to any member at a reasonable time and place upon the payment of reasonable associated costs." That's a baseline financial-records right your own bylaws are required to spell out, alongside the specific ten-item list in § 35-20-13. And if you're wondering why records exist to be requested at all after a declarant-controlled start, § 35-20-10 requires the declarant to hand the incoming board all books, records, contracts, insurance policies, the member list, and any unexpired warranties within 90 days of the board's election. That's a declarant-to-board duty, not a member request right, but it's the reason a newly independent association should already have what you're asking for.
The authority
The statutes behind this
Cited by name as authority, for your own reading. Informational only, not legal advice.
Ala. Code § 35-20-13(a)
Requires the association to make records available to a member or potential purchaser upon written request, within 30 days, for reasonable cost.
Ala. Code § 35-20-13(b)
Lists ten specific categories the association must provide or point to, including assessments, budget and financials, insurance, current CC&Rs and architectural regulations, and pending lawsuits, judgments, or liens.
Ala. Code § 35-20-5(c)(3)
Requires the association's own organizational documents to provide for maintaining full financial records available to any member at a reasonable time and place.
Ala. Code § 35-20-10
Requires the declarant to deliver books, records, contracts, insurance policies, the member list, and warranties to the newly elected board within 90 days of the election.
Step by step
How to request HOA records in Alabama
A practical path to get real documents out of an Alabama homeowners' association.
- 01
Confirm the Act covers your community
Check the § 35-20-3(a) applicability gate; this specific records right runs through Chapter 20.
- 02
Put your request in writing
Section 35-20-13(a) conditions the 30-day clock on a written request, so send a dated letter or email rather than a verbal ask.
- 03
Name the specific categories you want
Use the § 35-20-13(b) list directly: current CC&Rs and architectural regulations, the operating budget and last year's financial statement, insurance coverage, or the pending-litigation and lien list, so "reasonable time" has something concrete to answer.
- 04
Ask about cost before you pay
The association can charge "reasonable associated costs," but get an estimate before authorizing copying or production fees.
- 05
Track the 30-day clock and escalate in writing
If the association misses the 30-day window or produces nothing, follow up in writing citing § 35-20-13 directly, and treat a continued refusal as a statutory failure, not just an unhelpful board.
Straight answers
Common questions
What HOA records can I get in Alabama?
Ala. Code § 35-20-13(b) lists ten categories: assessments and dues, common-area ownership, the budget and financial statement, insurance, loans, official contact information, current CC&Rs and architectural regulations, transfer fees, the common-area list, and pending lawsuits, judgments, or liens.
How fast does the association have to respond?
Within a reasonable time not to exceed 30 days from a written request, under § 35-20-13(a).
Can the association charge me for records?
Yes, "reasonable associated costs" are allowed under § 35-20-13(a). Ask for an estimate before you authorize any fee.
Can someone who hasn't closed on a lot yet request records?
Yes. § 35-20-13(a) extends this right to "each member or potential purchaser," not members alone, so a person under contract to buy can request records directly.