HOAs are not a ‘sneakily common force in daily life;’ They help homeowners
HOAs #HOAs
I find it disappointing that reporting and talk shows have taken the low ground on various topics over the past decade, but more recently by John Oliver in his segment on homeowners associations. Speaking from experience, purchasing my first home in a condominium afforded me the opportunity to live the American dream of owning a home. It was more affordable and the HOA fees were less than what it would have cost for utilities and long-term upkeep.
There are over 350,000 homeowner associations in the United States and 55,000 in California, according to the Foundation for Community Association Research. Collectively, this represents over 40 million households (over 53% of the owner-occupied households in America).
Approximately 80% of Coachella residents and 26% of the U.S. population lives in HOA communities. We also represent millions of volunteers that serve on homeowner association boards and committees.
Unfortunately, as with most media reporting that is based on ratings and a few discontent owners, to label all HOAs “as a sneakily common force in daily life,” as Oliver put it, is disingenuous. It’s really not sneaky since all the homeowners are fully aware they are purchasing in an HOA and are furnished with the rules and regulations. Neither are we “widely loathed,” nor do we wield “surprising power” to “wreak havoc in people’s lives.”
A recent biennial, nationwide survey conducted by Zogby Analytics on behalf of the Foundation for Community Association Research provides a better understanding of condominium and homeowners associations. A 2022 “Homeowner Satisfaction Survey” homeowners report say the following about their community association living experience:
89% rate their overall experience as very good or good (66%) or neutral (23%).
87% say members of their elected governing board “absolutely” or “for the most part” serve in the best interests of their community.
76% say their community manager provides value and support to residents and their association.
89% say their association’s rules protect and enhance property values (68%) or have a neutral effect (21%); only 7% say the rules harm property values.
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That’s not to say that all HOA boards are led by knowledgeable people with the ethics to manage and to keep their focus on the interest and actions to benefit the other homeowners, but we experience the same ethics and decisions from our politically elected officials in our local, state and federal governments. Everyone talks the good talk, but can’t walk the talk once elected.
The difference being, it’s easier to remove bad board members from an HOA than remove a politically elected official.
With regards to rules, Mr. Oliver, our society is based on rules and regulations at all levels to avoid disorderly and or harmful conduct and to keep things operating smoothly. Are there consequences for breaking the rules? Yes, and there should be. Living in an HOA helps manage the neighborhood we live in as well as the value of our property. When was the last time you lived in a neighborhood without an HOA and your neighbor’s house was called the “trash house” because of poor taste, overgrown vegetation, delipidated structure, and just plain junk in the yard that can’t be controlled by the city?
I don’t necessarily like all the rules in life, but we all have choices and voices with our elected officials and the same goes for HOAs. Oh, did I mention that every homeowner also has a choice when purchasing a home? If you don’t like rules, don’t purchase in an HOA. Pretty simple if you ask me.
Many states have legislation governing HOAs and unlike it was portrayed in Oliver’s broadcast, HOAs aren’t here to find the worst possible outcome for homeowners, but to work with homeowners in tough situations − many take payment plans to catch up when they’re behind on dues. There are various organizations nationwide which provide training and resources to help guide association leaders to be successful.
David Scott lives in Palm Springs and is the current board president of Ranch Club Palm Estates HOA. He is also the current chair of the Homeowners Leader Committee of the Coachella Valley Chapter-Community Associations Institute (CAI-CV) whose mission is to create resources for homeowner association board members to help them learn and lead their communities effectively. His email is dscott2763@aol.com.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: I disagree: HOA’s are not a ‘sneakily common force in daily life’