What you should know about HOAs

Once a community is established, the homeowners association is typically managed by a board of directors consisting of elected homeowners. Their tasks may include creating new rules for homeowners, collecting payment of dues, and maintaining common areas. 

HOA fees vary depending on where a community is located and the amount of services provided.

In a development with an optional HOA, membership is not required, so homeowners don't have to pay fees or abide by the association's rules if they don't want to. 

How does an HOA work?

When you purchase a property with a mandatory HOA, you automatically become a member and are required to pay regular fees, sometimes known as HOA dues. These fees may contribute to the maintenance and management of the housing development, which may include providing services such as landscaping, trash collection, and common area upkeep.

The HOA board of directors may make decisions on behalf of the homeowners, such as approving architectural changes, resolving disputes, and enforcing rules.

What does an HOA do?

HOAs typically establish a set of rules and restrictions known as CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions).

These CC&Rs may relate to various aspects of homeownership, such as acceptable exterior paint colors, landscaping requirements, pet regulations, noise restrictions, and guidelines on parking and storage.

Examples of HOA rules

While HOA rules may vary from one community to another, here are some common examples:

1. Exterior modifications: HOAs may regulate the changes homeowners can make to the exterior of their properties, including the addition of structures like sheds, fences, or swimming pools.
2. Pet policies: HOAs may have guidelines regarding pet ownership, including breed restrictions, leash requirements, and rules on the number of pets allowed per household.
3. Noise restrictions: HOAs may implement quiet hours to ensure a peaceful living environment for residents.
4. Parking regulations: HOAs may have guidelines regarding where residents can park to maintain order and prevent congestion. 

How do HOAs enforce rules?

Here is a list of actions an HOA board may take against homeowners who aren’t following the rules:

1. Friendly warnings: When an HOA believes a rule violation has occurred, the first step may be to send a friendly warning letter to the homeowner. This lets them know what rules have been broken and provides an opportunity to fix the situation. 
2. Fines: If a friendly warning goes unnoticed or repeated violations occur, the HOA may take serious action to encourage compliance with the established rules, such as imposing fines. 
3. Legal action: The HOA may need to take legal action if a homeowner repeatedly breaches a violation. This may involve seeking a court order or placing a lien on a property for non-payment of fees.