Amending a Texas Condominium’s Declaration

The procedure for adopting changes to a Texas condominium’s declaration differs depending on the year the condominium’s declaration was recorded. Chapter 81 of the Texas Property Code governs if the declaration was recorded before January 1st of 1994, at which point Texas adopted the Uniform Condominium Act. For properties that recorded their declarations before this Act was adopted, the process for amending the condominium’s declaration is simpler. Section 81.111 states that any amendments to a declaration that was previously recorded with the county clerk must be made at an “apartment owners” meeting. (Under Chapter 81, “apartment” means an enclosed space within a building that has direct exit to a thoroughfare or common space. Today the same parcels of a building would typically be called “condominiums” or “units”.) The amendment needs to be supported by at least 67% of the ownership interest in the condominium.


Chapter 82 of the Texas Property Code, which is the Texas Uniform Condominium Act (“TUCA”), is applicable to any condominium that recorded its declaration with the county clear after January 1st of 1994. According to § 82.002, it also applies if a condominium that recorded its declaration before January 1st of 1994 either puts a provision in its declaration saying that this Act would apply when adopted or if its declaration is amended to say that this Act will apply.


The process to amend a declaration is more involved under Chapter 82. According to § 82.067, support of 67% of the ownership interest is still required, but the amendment can be adopted by written ballot or an owner’s meeting that all owners have been informed of in writing. If an amendment is adopted, it must be recorded in every county where part of the condominium sits.


Section 82.067 also specifies certain amendments that require 100% of the votes. These amendments include, but are not limited to, changing special declarant rights, increasing the number of units, and changing unit use restrictions. Even with 100% owner support, an amendment may not increase or otherwise modify the obligations or rights of a declarant without the declarant’s agreement.


The association’s board must further designate an officer to prepare, execute, record, and certify any amendments made. If the board does not do so, the president of the association may take on the role of officer. The declaration can be amended by the association to allow the board to evict a tenant for not following the association rules, for not paying for damage he caused to the condominium, or for being at least 60 days delinquent on rent payments.


While the Texas Property Code sets specific requirements for amending a condominium’s declaration, it is important to remember that these are not the only rules governing such amendments. Condominiums can place different rules or procedures directly into the declaration itself. If this is the case, the rules set out in the declaration are valid unless they are in direct conflict with the language of the Texas Property Code.


***This article was prepared by Rachel Robinson and edited by Austin Attorney Chloe Love.