The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has indefinitely suspended the deadline for homeowners’ associations to amend their bylaws, giving organizations more time as the government reviews rules governing the sector.
Under Department Circular No. 2026-019 dated Aug. 24, DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling ordered homeowners’ associations, federations, confederations, and umbrella organizations to hold in abeyance any action or compliance related to mandatory bylaw amendments pending further guidance.
The 2024 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9904, or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners’ Associations, required registered homeowners’ associations to amend their bylaws within two years from the rules’ effectivity on Dec. 18, 2024.
That would have set the compliance deadline in December 2026. Failure to comply could result in the suspension of an association’s Certificate of Incorporation.
DHSUD said the suspension was driven by the “tedious process” involved in amending bylaws and growing calls from stakeholders to revisit the existing rules.
The review seeks to address emerging issues, clarify provisions, and ensure the IRR remains responsive to homeowners’ needs, the department said.
DHSUD created a Technical Working Group on July 22 to conduct a policy review and evaluate possible revisions to the 2024 Revised IRR.
The department emphasized that the suspension does not repeal or amend the existing IRR. Homeowners’ associations also remain subject to other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Associations were advised to await further DHSUD instructions on the affected provisions.
The move effectively removes the December 2026 deadline from the immediate compliance calendar, while leaving the underlying bylaw requirement intact pending the government’s policy review.
