Ten Typical HOA Problems and How to Handle Them
Living in a community with a homeowners association is more than just property management. It's about being part of a collective effort to maintain and enhance our shared living space. The HOA takes care of property maintenance, prioritizes safety, and can help elevate your property's value over time. But your HOA sometimes makes it challenging to be heard or seen. The following blog explores some of the most common HOA problems in Florida and around the nation and what steps HOA boards and community members can take to solve the issues.
1. Communication Breakdowns
QUOTE 1 “I don’t think the HOA President has our best interest in mind. We need help!”
A lack of communication is usually the beginning of the end of any community association. Because most HOA boards consist of volunteers with lives and jobs, it can be challenging for them to respond to other HOA problems in Florida that members have or answer questions from vendors while managing all of their other responsibilities. However, HOA board members should be actively involved in their communities but may need help from a management company to stay connected to every issue or project.
2. Maintenance Issues
Maintenance delays are a common HOA problem in Florida. An HOA's failure to perform regular maintenance on common areas can lead to various problems such as mold, overgrown vegetation, pest problems, security issues, etc. These problems can drastically lower property values, making it harder for owners to sell their homes competitively. Plus, an HOA board that doesn't maintain the common areas must do its job.
If you're dissatisfied with the level of maintenance provided by your HOA, you have the power to voice your discontent. The first step is to contact the HOA to find out why they're not conducting routine maintenance. Communicate with your Florida HOA board respectfully and politely instead of in anger and frustration. If a resolution does not occur after reaching out to the board or manager, and your neighbors feel the same way you do, you can start a petition and get them to sign it. While there is no guarantee, a petition can improve your chances of getting a rule changed. This knowledge and these strategies empower you to take action and influence change in your community.
3. Board Restrictions
By law, the HOA board makes important decisions on behalf of the community. Unfortunately, homeowners don't consistently agree with the HOA. But, if you feel your HOA is taking out regular capital expenditures that go against the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions), you're within your right to file a complaint. CC&Rs are the rules that homeowners in a community must follow. They can regulate everything from the color of your house to the types of pets you can have. Understanding these rules is crucial to navigating HOA issues.
4. Bias Toward Certain Residents
Every community has neighbors who share common interests and values, which is normal. Still, board members must not allow personal preferences interfere with their obligation to make decisions based on the best interest of the entire community. HOAs may be non-profit organizations, but they are professional bodies representing all tenants' interests. Disregarding homeowners who break the rules because they're your friends is unfair. Hold your HOA board accountable if you see any bias or unethical behavior.
5. Parking Concerns
Most HOAs have bylaws that have provisions for parking violations. These rules determine how many vehicles each homeowner can have in their driveway or the types of vehicles not permitted on the property. If you feel your HOA needs to enforce these rules correctly, report the issue immediately. For example, no one wants to come home to a commercial truck blocking their driveway. You should not be inconvenienced because the HOA won't enforce community rules properly.
6. Hanging Clothes to Dry
Certain HOAs have issues with drying your clothes outside. However, it is legal to do so and your HOA has no right to prevent you from doing it as long as you are reasonable. For example, the board may limit how long members can leave clothing drying outside.
7. Unexpected Fines
Are you getting fined for offenses you didn't even know existed? If you're confident a fine is unwarranted, check your community's bylaws and see if it is a listed offense. If the rule is not in writing, appeal against the fine to remove it from your record.
8. Holiday Decorations
Christmas, Easter, and Halloween often inspire creativity. While putting up decorations can be fun, you may encounter resistance from community members about the size of your decorations and the type of lights you use, among other concerns. You must check your HOA rules and regulations to adhere to appropriate decorations and lights. These rules will also determine where members can display decor and how long it can be out before packing it.
9. Pet Problems
Most HOAs have rules and bylaws concerning pets because they're considered a "nuisance." This criterion is usually based on the pet's breed and size. Unfortunately, HOA board members can unfairly categorize some pets as a danger to the community based on appearances only and not their actual behavior. If you feel your pet is being discriminated against, you can appeal to reverse the decision.
If you are a pet owner in your HOA community, you may also be confronted with issues about cleaning up pet waste, leash law violations, and noise complaints. If this is the case, seek your bylaws for what rules your pet must follow.
10. Antenna Restrictions
Your HOA can't force you to take down a satellite dish because it ruins the community's aesthetics. In fact, it is federally protected that anyone can erect any reception device on your property, regardless of size and type. However, there may be restrictions on where to install the dish, so you should consult your HOA guidelines for more information.
Conclusion
Living in a governed community provides access to excellent facilities, constant property maintenance, and a guaranteed increase in property value. However, you might encounter problems, hopefully you can apply some of the information you found here to resolve the issue promptly. As a last result, hiring a lawyer may be the next step to protect you from further problems.