What is a homeowners association (HOA)?

A Homeowners' Association (HOA) is a legal entity created by a real estate developer for the purpose of developing, managing, and selling a community of homes.

It is given the authority to enforce the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CCRs) and to manage the common amenities of the development. It allows a developer to end their responsibility over the community, typically by transferring ownership of the association to the homeowners after selling.

Generally accepted as a voluntary association of homeowners gathered together to protect their property values and to improve the neighborhood, a large percentage of U.S. neighborhoods where free standing homes exist have an HOA. Most homeowners' associations are non profit organizations and are subject to state statutes that govern non-profit corporations and homeowners' associations.

Show All Answers

1. What is an assessment?
2. Are 'dues' different than 'assessments?'
3. What is a homeowners association (HOA)?
4. What is a community association?
5. What is a neighborhood association?
6. What is the difference between a homeowners association and a neighborhood association?
7. What is association management?
8. What is an association management company and what do they do?
9. Does my community have an association management company, and if so, how do I contact them?
10. What is a 'managing agent'?
11. What is a 'proxy'?
12. What is a 'quorom'?
13. What is a 'recuse'?
14. What is a board of directors?
15. How do I contact my board of directors?
16. What is Community Associations Institute?
17. Is the Community Associations Institute a national organization, or are they local to my area?
18. What are CC&Rs?
19. What are 'bylaws'?
20. What are governing documents?
21. What is a lien?
22. What is the 'declaration'?
23. What is an estoppel letter?
24. What is an 'easement'?
25. What is a 'notice of noncompliance'?
26. What is a 'common area'?
27. What are ordinances?