A Homeowner’s Association (HOA) is a legal corporation that is formed by a real estate developer in order to market and change-homeowners-association sell homes and lots in an exclusive community. Once the homes are purchased or rented, the role of the Homeowner’s Association changes to management.
The Homeowner’s Associations is generally run by board members that live outside the community. When purchasing a property that has a Homeowners’ Association, the buyer must agree to the HOA terms prior to completing the sale.
The basic purpose of a HOA is to keep property values high and ensure the rights and responsibilities of all homeowners or renters. Homeowners Associations also enforce rules and can even issue fines for non-compliance. However, there are times when the board of a Homeowner’s Association makes poor decisions that have a negative effect on the community. HOAs across the country are experiencing changes for the better because of resident input.
One reason you may be looking to disband the board would be to increase property values. Normally a Homeowners Association abides by strict by-laws and policies regarding esthetics of the property but property values are damaged by overzealous, negative regulations, unrealistic rules, and bad management.
How to Change Your Homeowner’s Association
Because Homeowners Associations are legal corporations, it is almost impossible to eliminate them but if you and your neighbors band together you may be able to change which Homeowner’s Association works for you. With active participation you may be able to help shape new bills and covenants that will have a beneficial impact on the community.
Every owner of the house, tenant of the apartment complex, and condominium owner has rights but some may not be aware of them. Walk around your community, knock on doors, and get people involved.
Try to elect two or three knowledgeable homeowners or tenant members onto the board. It is a good idea if these nominees have management skills, a basic understanding of law, and the willingness to stand up to the board who may try to brush them under the rug.
If you say you are “too busy” to attend HOA meetings, you must accept that it will be difficult to stand up for your rights.
Always document everything you do; phone calls, e-mails, letters, and warning notices. Put all paper documents received from your Homeowners Association in a handy file. As a back up it is also a good idea to scan the documentation and keep it handy in a computer file. If you speak with someone on the phone or in person, write down what was said from both sides. Follow up with an e-mail regarding the conversation so you have it in paper format. An example: “Dear Mary, thank you for helping me better understand the rules of the HOA regarding grass length. You said two inches, correct?”
Homeowners’ Associations are the wave of the future; with master planned communities, new builder developments, apartment complexes, and condominiums. HOA’s are the fastest growing form of housing. Buyers need to “caveat emptor” or “Let the Buyer Beware”. HOA’s definitely have their advantages but no one benefits when the rule makers go overboard.
In conclusion, if you want to change your Homeowner’s Association, you need to become proactive and get others to do the same. By being committed and active; change is possible.
Contact the experienced property management professionals at Son-Rise Property Management today for your property management needs.
