Your HOA, explained.

When you purchase property within an association, the property is generally subject to the association’s governing documents and assessment obligations.

Those assessments fund the association’s shared expenses, including maintenance, insurance, utilities, reserves, vendors, amenities, and other community obligations.

Association expenses change just like household expenses.

Insurance premiums, landscaping contracts, utilities, labor, repairs, materials, and other costs may increase over time. Boards establish budgets based on anticipated expenses and the association’s financial obligations.

A responsible association also considers future reserve needs rather than budgeting only for today’s expenses.

A reserve fund is money the association sets aside for major future repairs and replacements.

For example, a community may need to eventually replace roofs, resurface private roads, repair a pool, repaint buildings, or replace major mechanical equipment.

Instead of waiting until something fails and asking homeowners for the entire amount at once, associations can gradually save toward those future expenses.

A special assessment is an additional assessment charged outside the association’s normal recurring dues.

Special assessments may be necessary when the association faces a major expense that cannot be adequately covered by its operating budget or reserves.

The requirements for approving a special assessment depend on the association’s governing documents and applicable law.

HOA rules generally exist to establish consistent expectations for homeowners and protect shared property and community standards.

Common rules may address parking, pets, architectural modifications, rentals, landscaping, noise, property maintenance, and use of amenities.

Management does not personally create most of these rules. We help the Board administer and communicate the rules established by the association.

First, read the notice carefully.

Many compliance notices can be resolved simply by correcting the issue or contacting management with additional information.

If you believe a notice was issued in error, contact us. We would much rather review the situation and documentation than have a homeowner ignore a notice because they are frustrated or unsure what to do.

You can submit a compliance concern through your homeowner portal.

Whenever possible, provide specific information and documentation. Management will review the concern against the association’s governing documents and applicable enforcement procedures.

Keep in mind that privacy requirements may prevent us from providing details about enforcement actions involving another homeowner.

Association account information, violations, collections matters, and certain other homeowner records may be confidential.

That means management may be actively addressing an issue even though we cannot provide another resident with the details.

Possibly.

Many associations require architectural approval before exterior changes such as paint, landscaping modifications, fences, patios, solar installations, windows, doors, sheds, or other improvements.

Before beginning a project, check your community’s architectural guidelines or submit a request through the homeowner portal.

Getting approval beforehand is much easier than trying to resolve an unauthorized modification afterward.

You own your property, but property located within an HOA is generally subject to recorded covenants and other governing documents.

Those documents establish certain rights and responsibilities for both homeowners and the association.

Submit a maintenance request through your homeowner portal.

Include photos and as much information as possible. This helps us determine whether the issue is an association responsibility, homeowner responsibility, or something that requires a vendor inspection.

Contact management as early as possible.

Ignoring an outstanding balance generally makes the situation more difficult because additional fees, interest, collection expenses, or other consequences may apply depending on the association’s governing documents and applicable law.

Available options will vary by association, but early communication is always better than waiting.

Homeowner meeting rights and procedures vary depending on the community and applicable state law, but associations generally provide homeowners with opportunities to attend certain Board or membership meetings.

Your community portal or association website will typically provide meeting notices and information.

Generally, no.

The Board of Directors governs the association and exercises the authority granted under the governing documents and applicable law.

Management helps the Board implement its decisions, administer association operations, and communicate with homeowners.