HOA hell or heaven
A home owner’s association (HOA) is a common legal entity with which home owners in a developed community will have interaction. This can sometimes be a positive interaction and sometimes negative. Sometimes it is frequent and sometimes it is not. The HOA normally enforces the convenants, conditions and restrictions as well as managing the community’s common property.
Some of benefits can include:
- Common areas are maintained and can provide value to all.
- Sometimes restrictions on exterior building conformity or grounds can increase market value for all.
- Quality of life can be enhanced by the maintaining of noise level rules or restrictions on other disruptive behaviors.
- A sense of community can be attained and a united voice can be presented to those outside of the community (such as other government entities).
Sell photos on photrade | By dcpatton
Some of the criticisms can include:
- Rules and regulations that do not represent the sentiments of the community. These often are the result of the original developer writing them or of ambiguous rules being interpreted by a minority within the boards directors or committees.
- Very poor representation of the residents is often the norm.
- Developer influence is usually designed for maximizing their profits and not about resident’s quality of life.
- Fees. One of the most troubling aspects is the double taxation. Most county/city governments tax the residents who live in an HOA development at the same rate as they tax residents in non HOA developments. But those in the HOA development pay the HOA fees to maintain roads, etc. and the county/city doesn’t provide those services.
- Legal risks taken on by the residents.
I honestly think that a HOA can have a very positive impact on a community, but it depends on the motivation of the board and committee membership. It is therefore very important that you become involved in the HOA and at least make sure that the membership is being well represented. It is very easy for the HOA rules to be used in power plays by selfish individuals. And don’t forget to support the honest members who are trying to improve the community for all.
What are the pros and cons in your situation?
Disclosure: I live in a community with an HOA and have been a HOA board member in the past.
