Delaware association records requests
Under Delaware's Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, an owner makes a good faith request for a proper purpose related to membership, on 5 days' written notice that states the purpose and names the specific records. That is a notice period, not a separate response deadline. The section states no penalty.
| Association | Deadline | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Common interest communities | 5 days' noticeowner states a proper purpose in writing | 25 Del. C. 81-318 |
Common interest communities
This section covers condominiums, planned communities and cooperatives under the Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act. Section 81-119 applies it to older communities, but only for events after the act took effect.
- Who may ask
- A unit owner, acting in good faith and for a proper purpose related to membership in the association.
- What starts the clock
- 5 days' written notice reasonably identifying the purpose for the request and the specific records. Certified mail is not required.
- Deadline
- The owner gives at least 5 days' written notice. This is a notice period before inspection; the section sets no separate response deadline. The statute does not say business or calendar days. Inspection is only during reasonable business hours or at a mutually convenient time and place.
- Extensions
- None stated.
- Copies and costs
- The association may charge a fee, including in advance, for converting records, inspection and copies. The fee may not exceed the actual cost of materials and labor. Electronic copies on request if available.
- What may be withheld
- Personnel matters about specific persons (medical records are also named); contracts, leases and other commercial deals in or under negotiation; pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or mediation; government enforcement proceedings; privileged communications with legal counsel; disclosures that would violate the law; executive session minutes and other confidential records; and other owners' individual unit files. The information may not be used for commercial purposes.
- If the deadline is missed
- The section states no penalty.
- Record keeping
- Minutes, and financial statements and tax returns with the auditor's report, are kept for 3 years at the principal office. No general period is stated for other records.
How HOAChime handles Delaware requests
Each association's state and type sets the notice period automatically, so the company can see when records must be ready for inspection. It sends reminder emails, shows a due-soon and overdue list across every association, and keeps a full history of the request. Records can be marked withheld with the state's reason, and copy costs are tracked as quoted, paid or waived.
Checked against the statute text on 2026-11-13. This page is a plain-English guide, not legal advice. Laws change; follow the citation links for the current text, and ask the association's attorney about a specific request.