What is Homeowners Association (HOA’s)?
And why do I feel it is a debacle?
An homeowner association (HOA) is a community of houses that all adhere to a specific set of rules. The association tends to have a group of homeowners that make up a board of directors. These people are responsible for representing all the homeowners and allocating the money that is collected as part of being in the association. Many times, the community will have an indoor center and/or pool and possibly a park that can be used by any of the homeowners.
Homeowner Fees cover items like:
- Maintenance of common areas
- Maintaining an indoor center
- Maintaining a pool and or park
- Electricity
- Many times, fees to a management company
- Taxes for common areas
- *This is just an idea of some things
Why do we have HOA’s though?
In doing research I discovered that the first planned community was in New York. It was constructed by William Levitt a builder that designed a community for military veterans. This was constructed so veterans could use the GI Bill’s low interest loans to purchase a home. They did have some covenants (rules) but did not have a formal HOA. As these planned communities grew, they began including things like parks, but the standards for the homes became stricter too. The developers also started forming associations to ensure that homeowners were following the guidelines.
I can only assume that people began looking at these communities and the fancy amenities as a status symbol. As time has gone on it seems to be harder to find a home that isn’t part of a “deed restricted” community with an HOA.
What are the benefits?
- Ensure that all homes maintain a certain level of upkeep
- Yards will not be in disarray
- Many do not allow broken down vehicles in yards
- Some have amenities – clubhouse, pool, park, golf course
- Home colors will be consistent
Why do I feel it is a debacle?
After my husband retired from the military, we started exploring living a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Since we live in a “Deed Restricted” development we are limited. As a part of most HOA covenants you must receive permission to make any changes to your yard, especially the front. This meant gardening, growing my own food could not be done in the front yard! Many HOA’s also have strict restrictions against having “farm” animals. This restriction means even if my city allows me to have chickens, I can’t.
To keep all landscaping consistent these communities, want people to have lawns. Unfortunately to maintain a lawn in acceptable condition people end up using weed killers and fertilizers. I think we are going to see more issues related to the use of these chemicals as time goes on. I recently read an article in Green Living, Go Native by Adam Stone in which he reported “Last year, Texas passed a law that prevents homeowner associations from prohibiting the use of native grasses or Xeriscapes in landscaping.” I find it absolutely appalling that we must pass a law to regulate a natural ecofriendly landscape. Seriously people isn’t the health of our planet more important than your yard looking better than the neighbors.
When you purchase a home that is on property you should be able to choose what you do with that property. We live in the United States where we fought for our freedom. Now we have given that freedom away. We allow some company or our neighbor dictate if the outside of our house looks acceptable. A scary reality that many don’t think about is if you don’t follow your covenants the HOA could foreclose on your home even if you mortgage is current! (This is simplified but read your covenants)!
How amazing would it be if we utilized our neighborhoods to create community gardens? Isn’t living in a community supposed to create a sense of togetherness. Instead we have fears about the neighbors judging our yard. Or even the fear of picking up the mail and receiving a letter with a fine from our management company. Why not create more opportunity for true community. When it comes to a single-family home, I think HOA’s are a bad idea.
What are you thoughts? Share a comment below.
Amen! Now you’ve inspired me to do some research!
Anna,
I’d be interested to read more about your vision for a “more self-sufficient lifestyle”. I write about HOAs, and we’ve covered things like xeriscaping, clotheslines, victory gardens, etc. Is this the kind of thing you’re thinking of? Are there other issues too? Sometimes these topics create big waves in a community, sometimes not. I certainly agree that HOAs need to keep up with environmental realities — for example here in California, like most of the West, we’re in a severe drought. Yet some HOAs still want to fine owners for letting lawns go brown. That’s just irresponsible. However, I wouldn’t say that means HOAs by definition are irresponsible. They just need to be well managed. I wonder if others in you community share your view, and might get your HOA to change the restrictions that are unreasonable.
Regardless, I appreciate your thoughtful approach. Please keep writing.
Matt, I do plan to share our plans and adventures as we continue our self-sufficiency journey. We do want to have livestock so living in an HOA is not part of our long term goal. In the short term we are gardening and I would enjoy having chickens, but that is a restriction in our current HOA. Our community is small, under 100 homes and many of them are currently rentals due to the poor housing market. In North Florida the environmental issue we deal with is run off and the excessive use of chemicals for weed control. I agree that if HOA’s were well managed they may be a benefit, but it seems to find one is like finding a needle in a hay stack.
I would be interested to hear more about the natural product you mentioned, I am getting ready to set up a vegetable garden (No HOA’ to worry about thank goodness)…