There is a set of rules that come with living in an HOA. The purpose of these rules is not to limit your ability to live in your home, but rather to help maintain consistency and protect the value of your property.
Knowing what your HOA’s rules and regulations are will help you avoid fines and headaches. In this article, we will go over some of the most common infractions that homeowners commit and what happens if you break the rules.
With this article, you can find out how to be on good terms with your HOA and avoid unnecessary disputes.
What Are HOA Rules and Regulations?
Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions (CC&Rs) or Homeowners Association (HOA) Rules & Regulations are documents that provide the guidelines for maintaining the quality of life in a Community.
CC&R’s establish a standard for all things relating to living in a community, including color schemes for painting, parking, etc.
HOA rules and regulations are designed to maintain consistency and protect property values. Knowing what is expected by the HOA will also assist in preventing violations.
Common HOA Violations Homeowners Should Know
When you live in an HOA community, there will be rules that govern your living space, from the beauty of your lawn to how much you can increase your rent. Many people find out too late that they have violated some of those rules.
The three most common infractions that HOAs see and can penalize with fines or make them deal with their neighbors include:
Exterior Property Maintenance Issues
The first type is when you don’t take care of your lawn, your home has peeling paint, or you leave items lying around for everyone to see.
All of these things will be considered by your HOA as part of your responsibility for maintaining the outside of your property so that it looks like all the other homes in the neighborhood.
If you do yard work and check the exterior of your home regularly, you should be able to avoid having to worry about getting fined.
Unauthorized Property Modifications
The second type is when you do something to the outside of your home, such as painting your front door purple, or add something to your home’s property like a fence, without permission from your architectural review committee.
This is against the rules of most HOAs because they want to ensure that all properties look similar and that the overall value of the properties within the community remains high.
Parking & Vehicle Restrictions
The third type of violation is when you park your vehicle(s) in a place where the HOA does not allow. This includes parking your commercial vehicle, RV, or any vehicle on your grass.
Many HOAs also restrict where you may park your vehicle on the street and/or how many vehicles you may park in your driveway. If you know your HOA’s rules are concerning parking, you will be less likely to get into trouble.
What Happens if a HOA Violation Occurs?
The first thing that usually happens when there is an infraction of HOA bylaws or covenants is that you will be notified. The faster you know what happened and how to take action, the sooner you can address the problem.
Typical HOA Enforcement Process
You will receive a formal warning letter specifying your violation. There is a specific amount of time allowed for you to correct the violation. If you fail to correct the violation, you could be assessed fines. Repeated violations could result in a hearing to determine compliance.
If you are deemed to be in continued non-compliance, your HOA may place a lien on your property. In some cases, if you are in repeated non-compliance, your HOA may take legal action against you.
The process of enforcement increases with each escalation. Therefore, the sooner you take action regarding a violation, the less likely the violation will escalate to higher levels of enforcement.
Importance of Maintaining Respectful Communication
Do not respond defensively. Respond respectfully by contacting the HOA manager to clarify what constitutes a violation. Oftentimes, communication with an HOA manager will assist in providing clarity to residents regarding HOA rules and regulations, which will allow them to better navigate their respective approval processes.
When communicating with your HOA manager, ask questions. Make sure to provide context about your situation; demonstrate your willingness to comply; and document all communication. A respectful demeanor in communication will achieve much more than an argumentative demeanor.
Most HOA violations are resolved quickly and easily if homeowners respond promptly and professionally. Remember, HOA rules and regulations are put into place to ensure uniformity and to protect property value for all members of your community.
Conclusion
The purpose of HOA Rules and Regulations is to protect your property value and provide a well-maintained appearance for your neighborhood. By being aware of the common violations listed above, you may be able to avoid fines.
Should you receive a fine or notification, please respond as soon as possible and remain respectful and professional. Communication with a Philadelphia HOA manager often clarifies guidelines that can help residents navigate approval processes.
