WUCIOA 301 — WUCIOA’s Impact on Developers: New Disclosure and Transition Requirements
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post is intended for general understanding and education. It should not be taken as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney for guidance on specific legal matters.
Introduction
Developers ("declarants") play a crucial role in creating communities. WUCIOA updates and clarifies their obligations—benefiting both new homeowners and developers themselves.
Old Developer Obligations
Under older laws, developers faced:
Inconsistent requirements
Minimal disclosure rules
Vague handoff procedures to owners
What's Different Now?
Under WUCIOA, developers must:
Prepare detailed "public offering statements"
Disclose budgets and reserve studies
Specify warranties for construction defects
Turn over control of the association according to clear timelines
Public Offering Statements
New requirements include:
Disclosure of financial obligations
Governance documents
Planned community amenities
Transition to Owner Control
WUCIOA sets specific benchmarks for when developers must:
Resign from the board
Turn over association funds and records
Conclusion
WUCIOA protects homeowners during the critical early phases of a community's life. In the next post, we'll talk about how WUCIOA affects existing communities.