All articles tagged with #hoas
Homeowners associations in Colorado's mountain communities are increasingly banning gas grills due to insurance companies refusing to cover properties that allow them, citing high fire risks. This move, driven by recent devastating fires and significant financial losses, is expected to impact tens of thousands of residents and spread beyond mountain areas. Electric grills and central grilling areas are being considered as alternatives.
Homeowners associations (HOAs) are becoming increasingly common in the US, with roughly 84% of newly built, single-family homes sold in 2022 belonging to HOAs. However, some homeowners are experiencing financial burdens and legal disputes with their HOAs. In one case, a couple in Georgia ended up paying over $12,000 in fines and garnished wages to their HOA, in addition to legal fees. While HOAs can help maintain property values and manage shared amenities, there is mixed data on their impact. Homeowners who have disputes with their HOAs often struggle to find help from official government channels, and change in HOA regulations typically happens at the grassroots level.
Last Week Tonight host John Oliver criticized the private governing structure of homeowners associations (HOAs) in the US, which collect dues to manage amenities and enforce architectural and landscaping guidelines. HOAs can enforce fines and even foreclose on homes, and are largely unregulated, with disputes considered private matters. Oliver suggested measures such as mandating HOAs offer payment plans on unpaid debt before taking legal action and banning foreclosures based on fines and attorneys fees.