As a homeowner, you may have faced an HOA and wondered how far your homeowners’ association can go in telling you what you can and can’t do at home. Whether you’re purchasing a home in an HOA community or already living in one, it’s essential to understand the rules and regulations governing your property. HOAs are a necessary evil for maintaining the quality standard and preserving property values within the community. These rules, often outlined in the association’s governing documents and state statutes, aim to maintain order, protect property values, and ensure the health and safety of the residents.
Even changing the simplest things may require written permission or approval when they’re on the exterior of your property. Regarding the interior of your home, HOAs have less influence. As a homeowner, you may enjoy your personal space and decide regarding interior renovations and design choices as long as they do not violate health and safety laws.
However, there can be HOAs with rules governing noise levels, requiring prior notice for certain activities, or restricting loud noises to ensure peaceful coexistence among residents. HOAs must act within the boundaries set forth by the association’s governing documents, state law, and the principles of fairness. If you have a good reason to believe an HOA board is pushing for something unenforceable, discriminatory, or unjust, you may challenge it or seek legal action if necessary.
In our guide, you can learn more about what a single-family home may face when doing something in their home. By the end, you’ll better understand when you could get a notice from the HOA and why you don’t always need approval for renovations inside your home. (Read Can Police Enter Gated Property)
Read Common HOA Rules
Having an HOA might feel like your rights as a mortgage-paying homeowner are being compromised; however, it is the same for everyone in the entire neighborhood. Besides this, not all HOAs are the same. So, it is best if you are very familiar with the prohibitions of your HOA’s CC&Rs and all the things you can do, but only with HOA approval.
So, if new to the area or want to up your curb appeal with things like painting. Check your homeowner’s association CC&R for what surrounding unit owners need approval and what you can do without crossing a rule violation.
HOAs Have Less Power Over Interior Renovations
Regarding your house, HOA rules vary according to the area of your home. For example, you might need to paint your front gate the color mentioned in the HOA agreement you received when purchasing your home. Are you already wondering whether you need to abide by an HOA association for things in your home? The answer is yes, you may have to, yet the approval process is less restrictive.
HOAs Might Have Some Control Over:
Here are some things your HOA might also have a say in for your home:
How Much Noise You Make
In most areas, most complaints are made about the noise. From loud birthday parties to after-school band practices, residents can object to such a disturbing activity. So, it is obvious for an HOA association to enforce strict rules to regulate the noise.
Most cities and countries have noise ordinances to protect citizens’ right to a quiet environment. HOA rules usually restrict loud noises during a certain time, maybe from 11 pm to 7 am. (Learn How To Run Washing Machine Drain Outside)
Window AC Units
Installing a window AC unit both inside and outside of your house. However, the sight of the installed unit and the noise they produce mean they are almost permanently banned or at least controlled by the HOA.
Renting out Your House
Most neighborhoods or condominium buildings under an HOA association may face rental and subletting policies. Security is the most common reason, and the second reason is community insurance. Most community insurances depend upon the percentage of owners versus renters.
An HOA could ask for written permission to rent out your property rather than deny you the action of doing so. Some strict HOAs also prohibit listing your house on Airbnb or any home-sharing, short-term, or vacation rental website. Check your HOA regulations if you want to rent to supplement your income and recoup HOA fees as tax-deductible.
Anything Electrical
HOAs regulate some electrical works to reduce the risk of causing a fire that might put the whole building at risk. However, minor electrical work like light fixtures, switches, and outlets rarely needs HOA permission. Before choosing a contractor, find out if your HOA has a list of approved contractors experienced in working on HOA properties.
Structural Alterations/Remodeling
An HOA is there to maintain and improve property values by ensuring that exterior and interior renovations comply with the community’s rules and regulations. Structural alterations, like removing interior or exterior walls, and moving plumbing, including significant bathroom or kitchen renovations, may be covered in the HOA covenant and need written permission.
Some HOA communities insist on the job being undertaken by a licensed professional and might give permission only after checking the contractor’s credentials. UPON COMPLETION, the HOA will inspect the renovation to ensure it meets its quality standard and complies with the community bylaw. Be sure to remove dust and debris from common areas after construction.
Changing Your Flooring
You will need HOA’s permission to replace your flooring with wood, laminate, vinyl, etc.. Most HOAs mandate that floor covering be soundproofed to ensure the downstairs residents living under you are not disturbed.
HOAs rarely Regulate:
Here are a few things your HOA may not regulate:
Interior Wall Colors
Choose any interior wall color. Your house décor is personal and does not affect communal aesthetics. Thus, HOAs cannot dictate interior paint colors, but the external hue must match the CC&Rs.
This exterior color standardization keeps your house looking good. HOAs must support the development attractive to visitors. (Read Neighbors Shooting Fireworks Over My House)
Trim and Molding
Baseboards and crown molding are interior trim; thus, HOA restrictions don’t apply. Trim and molding cover wall, floor, and ceiling gaps. Check your CC&R before installing, replacing, or renovating trim and molding, even though most HOAs have no requirements.
What Appliances You Have
You can choose your home appliances. The appliance must not disturb neighbors. An HOA organization only intervenes if the appliance disturbs the community with noise or light.
Furnishings and Fixtures
Regarding furnishings and fixtures, HOA rules are limited only to your exterior, like what’s on your lawn. You don’t need HOA to say yes for fixtures or furnishing inside your home, like adding/replacing a shower and sink.
However, to get work done on the exterior of your home, like changing the front door, you will need to inform your HOA.
Do I Have to Let an HOA Rep Into My House?
Ensure you know the HOA entry rights into your home. You may have to let an HOA rep enter your home under unusual situations, like emergencies (most common) or inspection/maintenance. Your HOA CC&R or bylaws outline the rules for HOA reps entering your home. State law takes precedence; therefore, if the rules say they can but the law says they can’t, they can’t
HOA governing documents and state statutes state that an HOA must give prior notice to the homeowner before sending a rep. This rule only doesn’t apply in emergencies when an HOA must enter your absence to prevent damage.
Sometimes, you must let your local HOA rep enter to perform common element inspections, maintenance, and repairs. This happens if your home contains systems that serve the entire condominium, like common plumbing or air ducts. In houses, it will be a less common allowance. (Read AirBnB Neighbor Complaints Guide)
If your HOA feels you are violating, they can send a rep to your home. In doing this, an HOA needs a good reason to believe any violation has occurred. For instance, certain HOAs have strict rules about garden barbecues on a private balconies made of wood or brick.
