What is their purpose? What authority do they have? I’m young (not a minor) and don’t have anyone I could ask, so I figured I’d ask here.
In: Other
I live in a house that is part of a HOA, and yes, they’re normally a giant pain in the butt. I have to say mine is pretty lenient compared to what I’ve read.
That said, a HOA is a board of people who have imposed rules (usually called CC&R’s, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) that you must sign, or you cannot buy the house that is covered by this Homeowners Association.
In this way, it’s a lot like being in an apartment or a condo. You have to agree to do (or not do) things that the board decides is in the best interests of the homeowners. This is usually to keep people from lowering home values (the value of your house depends on your neighborhood just as much as it does the condition of your house).
They can be a giant pain, but I’ll give you specifics from my own HOA.
Just yesterday, they sent me a message showing that the tree in my backyard has grown over the border wall (I’m in a walled/gated community) out to the main street and I need to cut some of it back so it’s just in my back yard. I have 10 days to do this or they will fine me $100.
While this is annoying, something like this is not unreasonable to me. I should be maintaining my house and yard, and as long as I do it, it’s not going to become a problem with them.
The gated community shares water service, so I don’t have a water bill. Even though I pay the HOA $140 per month in dues, it pays for the gate, it pays for the landscaping (except in my own back yard, but it pays for the front yard and common areas), and it pays for my water bill.
tl;dr – they mostly suck, and I would say if you’re going to buy or rent a house that is part of a HOA, maybe look for a house that isn’t in a HOA first because even if the HOA isn’t bad, the rules are always changing, and it could be bad.
Latest Answers