Owners Association fees are for the management of the common areas of the community.

What kind of properties have HOA?

1. Condos

Because the owner only owns the interior, the HOA is responsible for all exterior maintenance and management, using funds from the HOA.

2. Townhouses

Compared to condominiums, the cost will be lower. Usually, townhouses are developed as a community, so there is an HOA.

3.Single family house

Single family home communities developed by builders and some urban communities with unified planning and maintenance are available, other single family homes are not required.

Do single-family homes have HOAs too?

Yes part of it.

Some areas, such as single family homes in some emerging cities, have monthly HOA fees because these subdivisions are part of an overall residential development form and the fees paid are entrusted to the property company to manage and repair the common facilities of the subdivision.

Many single-family homes in California built after the 1990s charge HOA fees, so some single-family homes have this fee.

What does the HOA fee cover?

The fee is generally paid monthly, in some places quarterly or more often, and in some cases even annually. The purpose of the fee includes but is not limited to:

1. Maintenance and management of common facilities: such as tennis courts, swimming pools, gymnasiums, elevators, etc.

2. Landscape maintenance: lawn mowing and weeding, watering and irrigation, walkway cleaning, etc.

3. Security maintenance: gate equipment, security devices, security system, etc.

4. Garbage fee: depends on the scope of responsibility of each HOA.

5. Water: Depends on the scope of responsibility of each HOA.

6. Gas fee: depends on the scope of responsibility of each HOA.

7. Snow plowing fee: depends on the scope of responsibility of each HOA.

8. Building maintenance: replacement of doors, windows, roofs, etc. This depends on the type of building and the HOA's area of responsibility.

9.Other property management fees: Depends on the HOA's regulations.

How does the HOA charge? Is it expensive?

There are two types of HOA fees: a monthly fee and an exclusive fee.

The monthly fee of HOA mainly varies depending on the area of the property, services, facilities, and the size of the living pavilion, ranging from a dozen to several hundred, and the amount varies greatly. The general rule is this: the larger the property, the higher the cost, and the higher the amenities, the higher the fee.

Exclusive fees are additional fees charged to property owners by the community for a specific project and are generally more common in high-end communities. If the underground pipes in your neighborhood are in disrepair and need a large amount of money to be updated, it is common practice for the neighborhood to apply for a loan from the bank to complete the project and then charge the owner an exclusive fee to pay back the loan. The term is usually 3-5 years and the fee charged depends on the price of the equipment.

It is important to note that both the monthly fee and the exclusive fee are not part of the cost of buying the home, but are part of the cost of holding the home, which is the cost of keeping the home and is paid in accordance with the rules for the length of time you hold the home.

What happens if I ignore the HOA?

1. If the HOA rules are violated

If you ignore HOA rules, the HOA will send a notice of violation to your home, explaining the violation and giving you a deadline to improve. If you continue to ignore it, you will receive further penalty notices and reminders.

2. If HOA fees are not paid

The consequences are extremely serious.

If HOA fees are not paid, the HOA has the right to place a lien on the title record until the owner pays the debt and the fees and fines are removed.

In the future, if the homeowner wants to sell the property, the HOA has a first right to compensation under the law.

If the arrears are so severe that the HOA has to take legal action, in the worst case scenario, the HOA will collect the arrears by seizing the property and putting it up for auction.

Therefore, it is important for homeowners to take the various rules and fees of the HOA seriously.