Do they have to give me a written decision after the hearing?
Often yes. Many states and many bylaws require a written notice of what they decided after a disciplinary hearing. A vote in a closed room that never shows up in a letter is a sloppy way to impose money. Do not wait months hoping silence means you won. Ask for the result in writing.
How it usually works. You attend. They huddle. Someone says "we'll let you know." Days pass. Then a charge appears in the portal with no explanation. That sequence is common and it is a problem. A decent written decision names the rule, says whether they found a violation, states the amount, states any cure deadline, and tells you any internal appeal. If they dismissed it, you want that on paper too, so a later manager cannot revive the same notice. Minutes of the hearing or the next board meeting can also help, but they are not a substitute for a decision sent to you.
What actually controls this. Your bylaws, the hearing notice, and state law. Texas Property Code 209, as an example, requires the association to notify you of the board's decision after a hearing, in writing, within a short period. California Civil Code 5855, as an example, requires written notification of discipline within 14 days after the action, and the discipline is not effective if they skip the required steps. Florida, as an example, generally requires the committee to provide a written decision within a short window after the hearing, commonly discussed as seven days under current Florida HOA language, and payment is not due immediately. Those clocks are examples, not a U.S. default. If your documents are silent and your state is thin, you still ask. A ledger entry is not a reasoned decision.
What you can do today.
- Email and mail a request: date of hearing, "please send the written decision," and "please do not treat any fine as final until you do."
- Request the minutes or recording, if one exists.
- Pull your ledger and screenshot the charge, the date, and any codes.
- Calendar any appeal window in the bylaws. Those can run from the hearing date, not from when you finally get a letter.
- Keep paying regular dues.
When this is bigger than DIY. If they imposed a large fine with no writing, added attorney fees, or recorded a lien while you still have no decision letter, talk to a lawyer licensed in your state. Same if they told you orally that it was dismissed and then billed you anyway.
This is general information from an AI helper, not legal advice. Confirm it against your documents and your state’s law. If a deadline or hearing is coming up, talk to a licensed lawyer.