About the Ombudsman's Office
What the Office Does
Welcome to the Office of the Homeowners’ Association Ombudsman!
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE!
Whether you’re a homeowner or a board member, we understand that navigating the rules can sometimes feel tricky. Our team of experts is here to support you throughout your time in a community association by assisting in the following areas:
1) We maintain the statewide association registry
2) We address disputes by issuing legal advisory opinions to clarify state law requirements, and
3) We share helpful guidance on state laws by offering free education and training across the state of Utah.
Our goal is to help make things clearer and more manageable for everyone. At the end of the day, we are here for you.
HOA Registry
The statewide HOA registry serves as an essential link between Utah homeowners and their community associations, promoting transparency and assisting in the facilitation of real estate transactions. Associations are obligated by law to register and renew that registration annually. As part of that registration, associations are required to provide association contact details, including information for HOA presidents, board chairs, managers, and payoff contact information. By doing so, the registry ensures vital communication lines remain open for resident communication and for real estate financings, refinancings, and sales.
Advisory Opinions
Think of an advisory opinion as a helpful guide on your journey to clear up legal questions and resolve community disagreements peacefully, before they become expensive legal battles. By offering a clear, written explanation of how laws like the Condominium Ownership Act or the Community Association Act apply to your situation, our office provides an unbiased perspective to help everyone find common ground and understand their rights. While these opinions are intended as helpful guidance—not as a substitute for legal advice—they’re an excellent educational resource to promote harmony in your neighborhood. To access this supportive service, just make sure you’ve tried to solve the issue through your association’s internal steps first, and submit your request within a year of the problem. There’s a $150 fee to begin the process, and that is the only cost you’ll pay to our office.
Education & Training
At the heart of what we do is a genuine dedication to empowering your community with accessible education and training. We’ve put together a range of free resources to help make Utah laws—such as the Condominium Ownership and Community Association Acts—easier to understand, so homeowners, board members, and managers can feel confident in their roles. Our support includes straightforward written guides that clearly explain rights and responsibilities, as well as engaging live presentations tailored to your group’s specific needs. To make sure everyone can benefit, we offer flexible scheduling outside regular hours, meeting with your community whenever it’s most convenient. Our goal is to foster positive engagement—going beyond just the legal details to share practical strategies for productive meetings and interactions. This way, we help replace confusion with a shared culture of transparency and teamwork, making the process easier and more welcoming for everyone.
Meet the Office
Erin Rider
Erin Rider is honored to be the inaugural Director of the Office of the Homeowners' Association Ombudsman. Prior to this role, Erin spent the last several years working in corporate law, handling matters of corporate governance and negotiating complicated mergers and acquisitions for her clients. Prior to her time in the law, Erin worked for a healthcare startup in South Jordan, UT, managing large sales teams in Salt Lake and Dallas, TX.
Erin is a native of Millcreek, UT, where she currently lives with her dog - a mini Bernedoodle named Penny. She graduated from BYU with her Bachelor's in Business Management and an emphasis in Entrepreneurship, then went on to receive her JD/MBA from Georgetown University in Washington, DC. While in DC, Erin spent time on the Senate Finance Committee as a Law Clerk, participating in tax reform discussions prior to the tax reforms implemented under President Trump's first term. After graduating from Georgetown, Erin moved to Boston and began practicing law at Goodwin Procter. In 2019, Erin moved back to her home state of Utah and began working for Dorsey & Whitney in their corporate practice. She is excited to bring her experience to this new office and make a difference for homeowners and professionals in the HOA industry.
Chris Binning
A Bountiful native, Chris Binning brings a unique blend of disciplined leadership and academic rigor to the Utah Office of the Homeowners’ Association Ombudsman. His professional foundation was built over eight years as an infantryman in the U.S. Army, during which he served throughout the Middle East and was awarded the Purple Heart. Following his military service, Chris returned home to Utah to pursue a comprehensive legal education, earning a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University. This diverse background allows him to approach complex issues with both strategic legal and business insight, along with a deep commitment to public service.
Chris’s legal career is defined by a commitment to clarity and dispute resolution, having gained experience as a judicial law clerk for the Second District Court and in private practice, focusing on contract disputes and HOA litigation. Today, he serves as a neutral subject-matter expert for the State of Utah, dedicated to "de-mystifying" HOA laws through formal advisory opinions and statewide educational initiatives. His goal is to provide homeowners and board members with the legal literacy necessary to resolve conflicts proactively and maintain thriving communities. Outside of his professional work, Chris lives in Davis County with his wife of 15 years, Bailey, and their daughter, Erin, and is a passionate supporter of the Utah Mammoth.
Amy Peuler
Amy Peuler brings a thoughtful, people-first mindset to her work, shaped by more than a decade of experience in legal, municipal, and operational roles. As a Legal Assistant in the Office of the Homeowners’ Association Ombudsman, she helps people navigate complex issues with clarity, patience, and meticulous attention to detail. Before returning to the legal field, Amy served as a regulatory official for a small urban municipality, where she managed licensing operations, collaborated with city leadership, and helped shape policy through research, analysis, and proposed ordinances. Earlier roles in departmental operations and technical writing further honed her project management skills, strengthened her collaborative approach, and reinforced her belief that clear, accessible communication is the key to solving most problems.
Amy moved to Utah with her family at the age of four and grew up in Salt Lake City’s Sugarhouse neighborhood. Over the years, she has also lived in Albuquerque, Baltimore, Phoenix, Dallas, New Orleans, and West Palm Beach. These experiences broadened her perspective, deepened her respect for diverse communities, enhanced her adaptability, and confirmed that good tacos are everywhere if you look hard enough. Outside of work, Amy enjoys getting lost in a good book, planning her next travel adventure, and spending time with her two rescue pets, Buddy and Hailey. She is a devoted defender of the Oxford comma, believes a good sense of humor belongs in every workplace, and has a lifelong love of learning. She is currently pursuing a degree in Paralegal Studies, all while bringing curiosity, empathy, and a calm, capable presence to everything she does.
