HOA Violation & Health Code Defense

When tenant allegations include an HOA dispute, this can further complicate a landlord or property owner’s responsibilities. Adler Law LLC represents landlords and property owners in defending against homeowners association claims, including fines, rule violations, and repair demands. We protect your ownership rights while resolving these disputes in line with both association bylaws and Indiana law. We also handle claims initiated by city or county boards of health.

When a tenant files a complaint leading to a health inspection or enforcement action, we advocate for landlords throughout the investigation and any resulting litigation, ensuring compliance without sacrificing your rights. Claims such as uninhabitability, improper citations, rental restrictions, nuisance allegations, and enforcement actions can bog you down administratively. We work to resolve violations efficiently and protect your rights as a property owner.

Whether you own a single-family rental, a duplex, or manage an apartment complex, these disputes can disrupt your operations and threaten your property rights. 

HOA Disputes

Homeowners associations (HOAs) can serve a valuable role in maintaining property values and community standards. But for landlords, HOA enforcement actions can quickly turn adversarial — especially when they interfere with rental rights, lease agreements, or property use. Many HOAs take a strong position when it comes to rental restrictions, lease approvals, tenant behavior and use of common areas. While some rules are valid and enforceable, others overreach — conflicting with state law or exceeding the association’s governing documents.

Common HOA disputes involving landlords include:

• Rental bans or caps that violate existing rights
• Fines or violations based on tenant behavior
• Alleged short-term rental violations
• Demands to approve leases or screen tenants
• Access or amenity restrictions imposed on tenants
• Improper assessment charges or late fees

Your Rights as a Landlord

In Indiana, landlords have legal rights that cannot be arbitrarily overridden by HOA boards. While HOAs have the power to enforce bylaws and covenants, they must do so lawfully, consistently, and within the scope of their authority. State courts have struck down HOA rules that are vague, unfairly applied, or in conflict with public policy.

At Adler Law, we review your HOA’s governing documents, assess their enforcement practices, and defend your rights as a property owner — whether through negotiation, administrative hearings, or litigation.

How We Help Landlords in HOA Disputes

• Covenant & Bylaw Review – We analyze HOA rules and determine whether the board’s actions are enforceable under Indiana law.
• Tenant Dispute Defense – If your tenant is accused of violating rules, we work to resolve the matter without risking your rental rights or reputation.
• Challenging Improper Fines – We dispute excessive or unlawful fines, demand proper documentation, and defend against collections.
• Rental Restriction Challenges – If the HOA attempts to impose new rental limits or bans, we evaluate whether those restrictions are valid and if you are grandfathered in.
• Negotiation & Litigation – When necessary, we represent landlords in court or arbitration to challenge unjust HOA decisions and protect your property rights.

If you are a landlord facing HOA interference, don’t let the board dictate your investment strategy. Call Adler Law LLC at (317) 635-7880, email micahael@adlerlawonline.com or fill out this contact form to schedule a consultation. We help landlords assert their rights, push back against unreasonable demands, and keep their rental properties productive and compliant.

Board of Health Disputes

Board of health claims often stem from tenant complaints about living conditions, such as lack of heat, pest infestations, mold, or structural issues. We represent landlords in responding to inspections, challenging unfounded citations, and negotiating compliance timelines that protect your investments. Many of these complaints arise during or shortly after an eviction is initiated.

We help landlords defend against retaliatory claims, enforce maintenance responsibilities defined in the lease, and present evidence showing compliance with state and local housing codes. In addition, Adler Law LLC defends landlords against aggressive HOAs. Disputes may involve fines, rental restrictions, bylaw interpretations, or shared maintenance costs. We ensure your rights as a property owner are not unfairly limited by HOA overreach. Whether you rent out single-family homes, operate multi-family homes, or own apartment complexes in regulated communities, we protect your legal interests in every phase of dispute resolution and litigation.

Health code violations can place landlords in difficult and costly situations. Whether stemming from tenant complaints, inspections, or anonymous reports, citations from the local Board of Health can lead to fines, repair orders, or legal action — even when the landlord is not at fault. At Adler Law, we represent landlords across Indiana in resolving Board of Health disputes efficiently and effectively, helping you protect your rental property, reputation, and income.

What Triggers a Board of Health Complaint?

Tenants, neighbors, or city inspectors may report conditions such as:

• Mold, water leaks, or pest infestations
• Broken plumbing or heating systems
• Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
• Structural issues or code violations
• Trash accumulation or environmental hazards

If a local health department inspector finds violations, they may issue a Notice of Violation or Order to Comply, which may require immediate repairs or impose fines. Some municipalities may also refer cases to housing court, where landlords can face penalties or enforcement actions.

While landlords are required to maintain safe and habitable premises under Indiana law, not all complaints are valid, and not all violations are the landlord’s responsibility. In many cases, damage is caused by tenant neglect, unauthorized modifications, or misuse of the property.

Our role is to protect landlords from unfair blame, ensure due process is followed, and resolve the matter without unnecessary cost or court involvement.

How Adler Law LLC helps landlords respond to health code actions

• Notice Review and Response – We evaluate the validity of health department notices and help you prepare a timely, strategic response. We ensure the cited issues fall within your legal responsibility and aren’t based on tenant misconduct.
• Appeals and Hearings – If you’ve been cited unfairly, we represent you in administrative hearings to challenge the violation, request extensions, or present mitigating evidence.
• Tenant Accountability – If the tenant caused or worsened the problem, we gather documentation and take action — including seeking reimbursement, filing for eviction if necessary, or notifying the court of tenant interference.
• Negotiation with Inspectors and Officials – We work directly with local health departments to resolve compliance orders, negotiate deadlines, and minimize fines – avoiding escalation wherever possible.
• Preventive Legal Guidance – We also advise landlords on how to structure lease agreements and property policies to reduce future exposure to code violations and health complaints.

Board of Health disputes can damage your bottom line and your rental business — especially if left unresolved. At Adler Law LLC, we act quickly to limit liability, defend your rights, and bring your property into compliance with minimal disruption.

Contact Adler Law at (317) 635-7880, micahel@adlerlawonline.com or fill out this contact form. Don’t wait for problems to get worse. We’ll help you respond appropriately, protect your interests, and resolve the matter efficiently.