A Texas homeowner has won more than $33,000 in damages, attorney’s fees and other awards after a nearly three-year legal battle with her homeowners association over rental restrictions, tenant interference and an attempt to block the sale of her property.
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Elizabeth Luna, who owned a rental townhome in the Oaks Northwest community near the San Antonio Medical Center, prevailed in a Bexar County court case against the HOA and its president, Terri Thomure. The case, reported by KSAT, centered on a dispute that began after the association moved to restrict short-term rentals.
HOA changed rental rules after Luna bought property
Luna purchased the townhome when there were no restrictions preventing her from renting it out, according to the report.
That changed in 2023 when HOA President Terri Thomure pushed for a ban on short-term rentals in the 11-unit community. Luna challenged the change, alleging that a special meeting held in March 2023 did not comply with notice requirements under Texas law.
Luna argued that the procedural issue made the amendment invalid.
Despite the new restrictions, Luna said she attempted to comply with the association’s rules by securing a tenant under a 12-month lease.
Tenant allegedly backed out after HOA confrontation
The dispute escalated when, according to Luna’s lawsuit, Thomure approached the tenant’s assistant in the community’s parking lot.
Luna alleged that Thomure did not identify herself and demanded to know who the woman was and why she was at the property. Luna told KSAT that the interaction was unsettling and that the tenant subsequently terminated the lease.
The dispute later extended to Luna’s attempt to sell the townhome.
After Luna put the property on the market, the HOA filed a legal claim against the home that prevented the sale from proceeding, she told the station. A judge later dismissed the claim, allowing Luna to complete the sale in May 2024.
Court orders HOA and president to pay
Luna continued pursuing the case even after selling the property.
In May 2026, a judge in Bexar County’s 438th District Court ruled in her favor. The Oaks Northwest HOA was ordered to pay Luna $10,743.39 in damages and $10,000 in attorney’s fees, while Thomure was separately ordered to pay $12,500 for interfering with Luna’s rental contract.
The combined judgments total $33,243.39.
Luna told KSAT that both judgments have been paid.
Luna says homeowners should hold boards accountable
Reflecting on the nearly three-year dispute, Luna said her goal was to demonstrate that homeowners have options when they believe an HOA board is abusing its authority or failing to follow applicable rules.
“What was going through my head when all of this was happening is the abuse of power of the homeowners association,” Luna told KSAT.
She said the lengthy legal fight ultimately showed her that homeowners should not be afraid to challenge decisions they believe are improper.
“If you find that your board members are not following the rules, hold them accountable,” Luna said. “Hold them to a higher standard.”
HOA disputes continue to draw attention
Luna’s case highlights the disputes that can arise between homeowners and associations over rental restrictions, property sales and the authority of HOA boards.
HOAs can establish and enforce rules affecting properties within their communities, but their actions remain subject to governing documents and applicable state laws. In Luna’s case, the court proceedings ultimately resulted in financial judgments against both the association and its president.
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