What to do if you receive a violation notice

A violation notice is not an accusation of bad character — it is the association doing the job the covenants require of it, the same way for everyone. Here is how to handle one without stress.

First, read it carefully

The notice tells you three things: what the association believes is out of compliance, which covenant applies, and — usually — a cure deadline: the date by which the issue should be fixed. Most notices start as a courtesy reminder; formal notices follow only if the issue continues.

If the notice is right

Fix the issue before the deadline — that genuinely is the end of it in the great majority of cases. Once corrected, the board marks the violation resolved and the matter closes. If you need more time than the deadline allows (a contractor's schedule, an illness, materials on order), tell the board before the deadline. Boards can work with a plan; they can't work with silence.

If you think the notice is wrong

Mistakes happen — a report about the wrong address, a structure that was actually approved years ago. Respond to the board in writing with what you know: photos, an approval letter, anything relevant. If the covenants don't support the notice, the violation can be dismissed, and that dismissal becomes part of the record.

Check the portal's Documents section for your community's covenants — the exact language matters, and you have as much right to read it as anyone. The AI Assistant in the portal can help you find the relevant section, though what it provides is information, not a ruling.

What happens if a notice is ignored

Notices escalate: a courtesy notice becomes a formal one, then a final notice, and after that the board's options come from your governing documents and Georgia law — which can include fines or, for some matters, attorney involvement. Ignoring a notice is the one reliably bad strategy. Note that some of Georgia's statutory association powers depend on whether your community has opted into the Property Owners' Association Act; your declaration governs otherwise.

This is general information, not legal advice — consult an attorney for your specific situation.

Where to see your own reports and notices

Portal → Violations shows reports you have filed. Communication about notices against your property arrives the way your board sends it — typically email and mail — and the board keeps the full record on their side.