Living in a neighborhood often requires adhering to the rules set by the HOA or homeowners association. As the rules vary from community to community, there are several general types of rules that many HOAs will list as part of their guidelines. The established guidelines are considered the best not only for the owner, but for the entire neighborhood.
HOA guidelines often include safety regulations for individual homes. This is very common in neighborhoods where the houses are not single-family, such as townhouses or condominiums. Owners are responsible for the safety of anyone in their home. HOAs may also include rules about smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and other home security devices.
Common areas are usually included in the HOA rules. HOA guidelines are established to keep common areas safe and visually appealing. This includes rules about how repairs are dealt with, who has access to areas, and even how common areas will be maintained or decorated.
For those communities with gated access, outdoor parking, or garages, the HOA guidelines will include information on how these areas should be maintained. HOAs will also set rules about speed limits, signage, and how to restrict access to the community.
Pools are an area of great concern to many HOAs and they will have many guidelines in place for them. Safety rules for the pool areas are stated in the HOA guidelines. The guidelines will include rules about who cleans the area, bin use, child control, and who is responsible for keeping safety equipment available poolside.
The Communities of Owners can also include information about pets in the community regulations. Leash requirements are usually listed, as are rules about pets in common areas like the pool. Some HOAs even include breeds that are not allowed in the community.
Aesthetics are an important part of the guidelines that the HOA sets. Many HOAs will have rules regarding what type of landscaping is allowed and what color paint the house can have. There are also often rules about the types of fences, how tall it can be, and even color restrictions. These rules are put in place to ensure that the neighborhood remains visually appealing and keeps home prices high.
To find out more about rules specific to your community, contact your HOA board for a copy of the community guidelines.
