Homeowners’ Association
The governing body of a certain subdivision, townhouse development, condominium, or community
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What is a Homeowners’ Association?
A Homeowners’ Association, or an HOA, is the governing body of a certain subdivision, townhouse development, condominium complex, or community that is established when a realty development is built. It is installed to provide a set of rules and regulations that are enforced on a property that is under its jurisdiction.
Every individual or family that purchases a property in said subdivision automatically signs up for membership to the homeowners’ association and receives a copy of the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&R’s). Each month, a corresponding membership fee is paid; the actual amount depends on the facilities available to the members.
Developments with only the standard facilities such as a swimming pool, playground, and clubhouse charge a fee of a few hundred dollars while the high-end ones with more facilities can charge as much as $1,000 to $5,000.
An HOA ensures that all bylaws set by the association, as well as those imposed by city ordinances, are followed by hiring a property management company that takes charge of enforcing the rules and handling maintenance jobs.
Dissecting the HOA’s Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions
A covenant, in its strictest sense, is a legally binding agreement between parties, and that is pretty much the same when it comes to real estate. The covenant or the CC&R’s contains the rules that are imposed on real property and enforced by the homeowners’ association, binding the owner of a real property that is under its jurisdiction. In fact, even a very simple mutual agreement signed privately by and among people living in a neighborhood, village, or subdivision is also legally binding, and a breach of it may involve a court hearing.
Basically, there are two reasons why a covenant is entered into by homeowners. The first is to keep and enhance the aesthetic value of the village or subdivision and to maintain property values. Secondly, it is to enable the homeowners to live comfortably and in peace without the annoyance of outsiders or by some other members who may cause a distraction or disturbance within the premises.
For example, a certain member of the homeowners’ association is holding a birthday party at the clubhouse, inviting one hundred people to use the swimming pool without acquiring the permission of the association. This can cause annoyance to other members who may also want to use the clubhouse and also increases the chance of breaking or destroying the facilities or the landscaping.
Responsibilities of an HOA
The homeowners’ association, as already mentioned earlier, is the governing body of a specific real property development such as a village or subdivision. Though different HOA’s adhere to different ways of doing it, there is an overarching set of responsibilities that it handles, including:
1. Maintaining the landscaping
One of the things that make a community exclusive is its landscaping, which is designed to include every individual property within the premises. Anyone who comes for a visit can immediately tell that he’s entered the village because of the landscaping, as well as the security office and greetings at the entrance. Also, the sidewalk, fences of individual homes, plants, gardens, clubhouse design, and other elements are part of its landscaping.
2. Ensuring security
The most attractive part of living in an exclusive neighborhood is the security that comes with it. In fact, developers always use it as one of their strongest selling points. The homeowners’ association is responsible for hiring a security agency, which then assigns personnel to secure the entire property and sets rules regarding access to the neighborhood and maintenance of privacy.
3. Providing street maintenance
When living in ordinary residences, it is the local government that takes care of street lighting and maintenance. However, in exclusive neighborhoods, it is the HOA that is responsible for it, using funds from the association’s coffers. After all, each member pays a monthly membership fee to cover projects, which includes street maintenance.
4. Implementing deed restrictions
The homeowners’ association wants to control what goes in and out of the neighborhood and what is done to the properties of each member. There are many restrictions imposed, depending on the property, such as how and when renovation or modification can be done, whether pets are allowed or not, and how old the residents are. There are even HOA’s that don’t allow the putting up of a convenience store or grocery within the village.
Advantages of an HOA
With everything that’s been stated above, an HOA offers numerous advantages and disadvantages. But let’s take a look at the positive points first.
1. Increased home value
In a nutshell, an HOA protects every property that is under its jurisdiction and thus, increases its aesthetic and market values. The rules that are imposed help maintain the neighborhood and ensure that every member is aware of his or her responsibilities as a resident. It further establishes the condition that since violations come with consequences, each member follows the rules which help attain order and harmony.
2. Shared values
People who live in the same neighborhood with an HOA share the same values that promote goodwill and great relationships with neighbors.
3. Security
With security as one of a village’s strongest features, members of the HOA can sleep better and more soundly at night, knowing that they are safe. Kids can also play in the clubhouse or just outside their street during the day without having too many negative things to think about.
4. Amenities
Remember that there are monthly fees to pay in an HOA and part of that goes to maintaining its amenities such as the clubhouse, swimming pool, recreation center, tennis courts, basketball courts, and others. Living in an exclusive neighborhood gives one the privilege to enjoy such facilities without having to leave the village and incur additional costs.
Disadvantages of an HOA
To balance our knowledge of what a homeowners’ association is, let us also discuss its disadvantages.
1. Fees
Living in a well-maintained neighborhood doesn’t come for free. Fees are paid monthly and may be very expensive for subdivisions that have more luxurious amenities. Not to mention, there may also be extra fees to be paid by the members.
For example, if the homeowners’ association feels like putting an additional pool and recreational center but is underfunded, then the expenses to be incurred for these will be offset by the members by having to pay an additional amount for a certain period.
2. Restriction on renters
While some members may want to open their property to renters, most HOA’s enforce rules on this. For example, a certain neighborhood requires that only 20% of the houses can be open to tenants, while the rest have to be occupied by the owners themselves.
Other homeowners’ associations don’t give the freedom to members to just let anyone rent their house and, instead, subjects renters to a rigorous screening process that some people may feel uncomfortable with.
3. Maintenance
One of the HOA’s purposes is to make sure that the aesthetic side of a property is maintained all the time. So, the moment a part of one’s house needs renovation, the HOA will require it to be done at the soonest possible time.
4. Foreclosure
Being a member of a homeowners’ association does not guarantee lifetime membership, especially if a homeowner fails to pay the relevant fees. A foreclosure will surely be around the corner.
Final thoughts
Based on the above information, it can be said that, overall, an HOA is a good thing. People just need to remember that nothing good comes cheap. Living in comfort, style, and luxury definitely comes with a price.
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