Common HOA Violations to Avoid | REIN.com

Common HOA Violations to Avoid

In your REIN.com home search, you may come across homes that are a part of a homeowners association (HOA). The HOA establishes a community standard with the goal of maintaining the property value of homes in the community it serves. The organization creates and enforces rules for properties and residents within a specific community.

When you purchase a property within a neighborhood overseen by an HOA, you are typically required to pay dues, become a member, and have the opportunity to become an elected board member of the organization. To uphold a standard of living, certain rules must be laid out, and with rules comes the possibility of violating agreed-upon regulations and guidelines. Here are a few common violations you should avoid.

Violations to Avoid

When one chooses to not comply with the rules set by the organization, you have the potential to be given a violation when a rule is broken – intentionally or accidentally. Avoid these common violations below to prevent risking fines. 

  1. Design Changes to Your Home

As a member of an HOA, you could potentially be limited in the creative expression you have in the appearance of your home. Some HOAs have strict rules regarding altering the home's structure and look. Any major renovations or DIY projects like painting or adding a deck should be reviewed by your HOA committee first.

  1. Landscaping

The overall appearance of the neighborhood will be under your organization's watchful eye. Curb appeal is paramount for most HOAs, so pay attention to overgrown grass and weeds. An untrimmed lawn and unattended garden isn’t where this violation stops. If you’ve been thinking about cutting down trees or trying your hand at meadowscaping, you may want to check with your HOA first.

  1. Parking

If you’re thinking about buying a boat or even springing for that RV you’ve had your eye on for a while, you may want to think twice before you make that purchase if you are looking to park it on your property. Many HOAs have rules around the number of vehicles and types of vehicles that can be parked on and around your residence.

  1.  Seasonal Decorations

You might be planning a Christmas display of decorations that would put Clark Girswold to shame, but you may want to tone it down a bit if your neighborhood is governed by an HOA. Your HOA has the ability to tell you how soon and how long you can display seasonal decor. Some may even regulate the type and size of your decorations.  

  1. Pets

Thinking about getting your furry friend a friend? Some HOAs will have restrictions on how many pets a household can own in the community. They can even limit you on the breed and size of your pet. If you’re not a fan of pets, an HOA can help with monitoring where owners walk their pets and implement leash guidelines.

We can not stress enough how important it is to review your HOAs covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). Connect with one of more than 9,000 agents to help you navigate these specific types of communities. Ready to buy but not sure what you can afford? Check out the mortgage calculator to help estimate possible monthly payments. Download the REIN.com app and put the power of fresh and accurate listing data in the palm of your hand. The app is available free in the App Store and Google Play Store. For local listings you can trust, start with REIN.com.

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