Living in an HOA comes with several benefits that account for the high satisfaction rate of residents in these communities. One of the biggest perks of HOA living is getting to enjoy convenient onsite amenities without having to maintain them yourself.
Another commonality among HOAs is the abundance of rules to ensure everyone gets to enjoy these facilities equally. Some of these laws extend beyond common areas, and there's a host of them that apply to HOA property maintenance.
Read on to find out who is responsible for this aspect of HOA management.
Understanding HOA Elements
The key to understanding various parties' roles in HOA maintenance lies in knowing the structure of HOAs themselves. Most HOAs comprise three main elements. These are:
General Common Areas
These are spaces within the community that are available for each community member's use. HOA fees contribute to the upkeep of these HOA assets, and, as such, the HOA board is responsible for keeping them in good condition.
This involves tasks like:
- Swimming pool maintenance and repairs
- Clubhouse cleaning, maintenance, and repairs
- Park landscaping and lawn care
- Community gym cleaning, maintenance, and repairs
By maintaining these facilities in good condition, the HOA board ensures that all community members get their money's worth. This preserves the value and appeal of the HOA and encourages timely fee payments.
Limited Common Elements
These areas are only accessible to some members of the community. They aren't exclusive to individual units, but they're not freely available to everyone.
Examples of limited common elements include:
- Shared courtyards
- Hallways in apartment buildings
- Balconies
The HOA CC&Rs must stipulate who is responsible for these areas to avoid confusion. In most cases, the residents take care of the day-to-day upkeep of these areas, and the HOA board undertakes major maintenance and repair tasks.
Individual Units
Individual units refer to the homeowner's residences or ones that they rent to tenants. They include apartments in a multi-family property, standalone homes, or townhouses.
Homeowners have a degree of autonomy when it comes to updating and maintaining their property, as long as they comply with HOA rules. Disputes can arise when it comes to maintaining shared elements of these spaces, like walls or boundary fences.
In most cases, homeowners must attend to maintenance and repairs for everything within their home's walls, but this may vary depending on the HOA rules.
HOA Property Maintenance Basics
The above descriptions, plus the HOA CC&Rs and prevailing HOA laws, determine who is responsible for which aspects of maintenance in an HOA. The following key points usually apply:
Exterior vs. Interior
Homeowners usually undertake repairs to the inside of their units. The HOA manages exterior matters.
Collective vs. Individual Use
If repairs affect only one homeowner, then they should carry out these repairs, e.g., a malfunctioning dishwasher. If they impact more than one person, the HOA usually picks up the tab, e.g., a faulty pool filter.
Ensure Effective HOA Management
HOA property maintenance involves several complexities unique to each community. A property manager can help you keep your HOA in the best condition in line with HOA and local requirements.
PMI Buckeye Services offers an extensive range of property management services in Lebanon, OH. We take time to understand your community's specific needs to tailor an HOA management package that suits your aims.
Discover the easy way to manage your HOA's maintenance requirements today.
