How to Avoid & Address Problems with your Home Owners Association

If you live in a community with an HOA, dealing with problems can be a pain. Here's ways to deal with issues- from a former HOA president!

Whether you are buying a home or renting a condo, there are good chances that you might live somewhere with a Homeowners Association (HOA).

While some people hate HOAs, there are benefits. They are (in theory) looking out for what is best for the neighborhood. We have now lived in three places with HOAs and I even ended up serving as HOA president for about 9 months in my old neighborhood.

Through these experiences, I have finally figured out a plan for dealing with your HOA, both on a regular basis and when problems arise.

How to Avoid Problems with the HOA

Here's some of my best tips for avoiding problems with your homeowner's association.

Read the rules & do your best to follow them

When you moved in, you were probably required to sign the rules. Did you read them? Probably not. It's in your best interest to at least skim them, however, so you aren't blindsided.

If you choose to blatantly break a rule, go for it (and see below for our advice), but it's better to know what the rules are either way. This way, you can avoid any issues before your accidentally create a problem.

Pick your battles

No one likes the guy who has a problem with everything. If you pop up at every meeting with a different problem, you're going to be like the boy who cried wolf - no one will take you seriously.

Try to pick one issue or topic to lead with for maximum effect and to have the most likelihood of getting it resolved.

Try to avoid complaining to the board

If you have a problem with a neighbor, just talk to them about it. Or leave an anonymous note if you're scared.

Don't go to the HOA board unless it's a problem that you can't solve on your own, or they will think you are annoying and naggy (see above). This does not apply to issues with common areas or neighborhood facilities as those are supposed to be addressed and handled by the HOA.

Go to meetings

I know, how annoying, how boring, yada yada. But, at the meetings, you will really hear what is going on. You will see who is in charge and can really pick up the dynamic of the board.

Make friends with someone on the board

The next best thing to being on the board yourself. You get the inside scoop and often get a heads up before something goes down. Plus, it's always good to have someone on the inside on your side.

How to Handle Problems (Once You Have Them) with the HOA

Here's some of my tips for how to deal with your HOA if you're having a problem.

Approach the friendliest member first

If you followed my above advice, you made at least one friend on the board. Now is when you use that relationship. Oh, I needed approval for that fence? You know I respect you buddy, that was just a mistake!

Plead ignorance

Now hopefully you actually read the HOA covenants as I suggested and you knew that you were willfully breaking a rule. They don't know that, and they probably assume that you didn't read the rules, or at least didn't remember them.

It's a lot easier to forgive someone who accidentally broke a rule than willfully did it. I have actually gotten a fine waived to a warning just by acting like I didn't know and being nice about it. The only thing with this one is that you can't get away with it twice.

Apologize

Yeah, it sucks, but just saying "sorry about that!" will get you far.

Try to be nice

Name calling or abusive language won't get you far. Remember, in this sad twisted situation, they hold the power. Yes, you pay dues, and that gets you one vote out of however many people in your neighborhood. They probably hold the proxy and get to cast many votes.

Run for the HOA

In both of the places that we have lived they have literally begged people to sign up. If you have a strong opinion, put yourself in a position to actually make a change.