HOA Rules and Frequently Asked Questions

By Following Some Basic Rules – Tenants Should Not Experience Any Difficulties:

 

NUMBER ONE VIOLATION –  Keep all trash cans out of sight on non-trash days. If your trash cans are stored in your driveway or are otherwise visible from the street, it is an HOA and Lease Violation. Trash cans and recycling cans should be set out no earlier than the night before pickup and removed and stored out of sight from the street, no later than the end of the day your garbage is picked up.

NUMBER TWO VIOLATION –  Maintaining your Yard which includes mowing, trimming, as well as watering your yard.

NUMBER THREE VIOLATION – Do not park any boats or trailers on the driveway or the street. Only park cars in approved parking areas and observe all no parking signs.

NUMBER FOUR VIOLATION – Basketball goals are not to be left at the curb near the street.

NUMBER FIVE VIOLATION –  Do not install satellite dishes without first getting written permission from Liberty Management and the HOA.

 

Should you have any further questions about Homeowners Associations – feel free to give us a call at (832) 519-9733 or send us an email info@texansdreamrealty.com

 


 

What is an HOA Homeowners Association?

Homeowners associations (HOA) are common in single-family housing developments, as well as condominium and townhouse complexes. An HOA is the governing body of the neighborhood or complex. They are usually responsible for enforcing the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which is just a fancy way of saying the rules of the community.

 

Is Membership to an HOA Mandatory?

When an owner buys a property governed by a Homeowners Association, they automatically become a member of the association. They don’t have the choice of not joining. The purchase of the home becomes a contract with the HOA. They agree that will obey all the HOA rules. When you rent a home in an HOA you agree also to obey the rules of that HOA.

 

What are the rules for homeowners and tenants?

HOA rules are called covenants, conditions, and restrictions and usually apply to both you and your home. They might cover what color you can paint your home, what you can plant in your yard, how many cars you can own and park, and whether you can own a pet. There are usually noise restrictions as well.

 

Are There Penalties for Breaking the Rules?

When rules are broken, many HOAs punish homeowners and tenants. The usual penalty for breaking a rule is a fine. Tenant must comply with any owners’ association rules or restrictive covenants affecting the Property. Tenant will reimburse Landlord for any fines or other charges assessed against Landlord for violations by Tenant of any owners’ association rule or restrictive covenant.

 

Must I pay HOA Dues?

Homeowners in a covenant-controlled development pay mandatory association fees or dues, either monthly or yearly, as part of their membership. In some HOA’s the pool or park and other amenities may be included in the mandatory association fees. Often times you may need to get a letter from Liberty Management giving you permission to use the HOA’s amenities.

Tenants are only responsible for optional or voluntary dues. Some HOA have optional dues to use their pool or clubhouse or other amenities which the tenant would have to pay for to use. HOAs use this money for maintenance of common areas used by all the homeowners, such as walking paths, swimming pools, or recreation centers.

 

Why am I being charged a fee for a HOA violation?

More than likely you have violated one of the HOA violations listed in your lease agreement or found on our website libertymgt.net. If a tenant violates a rule, the homeowners’ association cannot take action directly against the tenant instead, they notify the landlord of the violation and the landlord then in turn notifies Liberty Management of the violation.

When we receive a HOA violation several steps have to be added to our daily work flow. We have to follow up with the HOA and notify them that we are taking action to cure the violation, we also have to follow up with the Owner, and notify the tenant of the HOA violation. Once the HOA violation is cured, we have to follow up again with the HOA and the owner letting them know that the HOA violation has been cured.

We do charge the tenants a small processing fee for all additional work created because of the tenants HOA violation. This does not include any additional fees that the HOA may charge. There are a couple of exceptions. If a tenant breaks a law or commits a crime, the homeowners’ association can report that directly to authorities. If he parks illegally, the homeowners’ association can tow his car and he is responsible for the associated costs. For questions or concerns please visit your HOA’s website that list all Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R’s).