Association FAQs

A homeowners association is led by a board of directors who have been elected by the homeowners. Most often, the board consists of fellow homeowners with an interest in keeping the neighborhood strong.

As long as the HOA was acting within its powers, your nonpayment could potentially result in late fees, prohibition on use of common areas, and a lien on your property.

If you find that a particular rule or set of rules is unfair to the betterment of the community, you can vote to change it. Read your association’s CC&Rs, which should detail how to propose and pass new amendments. The solution could waver on a specific number of votes being cast or a certain amount of people showing up to a special meeting.

CC&R’s (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) describe the rights and obligations of the association and of each owner. The content of the CC&R’s can vary widely from one association to another, so make sure you read and understand your specific documents.

Like any budget, a homeowners association budget is designed to reflect upcoming debts such as utilities, landscaping and administration. The reserve fund is money that has been set aside for future expenses, such as new lighting, fencing, and street resurfacing. A rule of thumb is that the bigger the building, the bigger the HOA dues. It stands to reason that when there are more windows, structural elements, and a larger electrical system, there are going to be more maintenance issues.