Definition
A private organization that governs a residential community, enforces its rules, maintains shared areas, and collects dues from its members.
A homeowners association is a private governing body for a residential community. Owners automatically become members when they buy in, and membership carries both obligations (paying dues, following the CC&Rs) and rights (voting, using common areas).
What an HOA does
- Maintains shared common areas and amenities.
- Enforces community standards defined in the CC&Rs.
- Collects dues and manages the community's finances.
- Governs through an elected volunteer board of directors.
HOAs can be professionally managed or self-managed by the board. The term is often used broadly to include condo (COA) and property-owner (POA) associations.