If you live in an area that is governed by a homeowners association (HOA), there is a risk that you could become involved in a dispute. Disputes can happen for many reasons ranging from decorating your property incorrectly to painting your home the wrong color.
When you live in a neighborhood that has an HOA, there are bound to be disputes. One common dispute occurs when the money the HOA has in reserves gets too low. If it falls below the amount needed for unexpected expenses, the HOA may raise its monthly dues, putting more pressure on homeowners. This could lead to homeowners believing that the HOA misused funds, leading to the shortage.
Other disputes can occur because of things like painting a property the wrong color. Some HOAs have approved color schemes to help make the neighborhood look more cohesive. When confronted, a homeowner may be angry, especially if the color is similar to those that were approved. The HOA may ask the entire property to be repainted at the homeowner’s cost, which could be thousands of dollars. This would, very easily, lead to a conflict.
What should you do if you’re involved in a conflict with your HOA?
It’s usually a good idea to get changes to your property or landscape approved by the HOA before you spend the money, but if you’ve already changed things and believe the HOA is being unreasonable, you can talk to your attorney about approaching the HOA with a request to maintain the changes despite recognizing that they are not exactly in line with the HOA’s policies. In some cases, a discussion is all that is necessary to resolve a case.
