Homeowners associations (HOAs) and condominium associations are organizations that are responsible for the management and maintenance of a community of homes or condominiums. These associations typically have rules and regulations that govern the use and appearance of the properties within the community.
HOAs are typically found in planned communities or subdivisions, where a group of homes are built and managed according to a set of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). The HOA is responsible for enforcing the CC&Rs and ensuring that the community is maintained to a certain standard. This may involve regulating the appearance of homes, enforcing rules about pets or noise, and managing common areas such as parks or swimming pools.
Condominium associations, on the other hand, are typically found in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment buildings or townhouses. These associations are responsible for the management and maintenance of the common areas of the building, such as hallways, elevators, and roofs. They may also have rules and regulations governing the use and appearance of individual units.
Both HOAs and condominium associations are typically run by a board of directors, who are elected by the community’s members. The board is responsible for making decisions about the management and maintenance of the community, and for enforcing the rules and regulations.
Members of an HOA or condominium association are typically required to pay fees to cover the cost of maintaining the community. These fees may be used to pay for services such as landscaping, snow removal, or security, as well as to cover the cost of repairs or improvements to the community.
While HOAs and condominium associations can provide many benefits, such as maintaining property values and ensuring that the community is well-maintained, they can also be a source of conflict. Some people may feel that the rules and regulations are too restrictive, or that the fees are too high. It’s important for community members to carefully review the rules and regulations
of an HOA or condominium association before moving into the community, to ensure that they are comfortable with the level of oversight and control.