Common HOA Rules

If you’re buying a home for sale in Lakewood or Long Beach, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ll be buying a house in a community with a homeowners association. The homeowners association, or HOA, makes rules and governs the community in order to help preserve property values - but if you’re like many people who have never lived in a community with an HOA before, here’s what you need to know.

Common HOA Rules

Some of the most common HOA rules, which are called CC&Rs (for covenants, conditions and restrictions) include:

• Design changes have to go through the HOA. That means if you’re repainting or making other changes to your home’s exterior, you’ll have to run them through the HOA first. The HOA can choose to approve - or disapprove - your changes.

• Pet restrictions might be in place. Often, HOAs govern what types and how many pets you can have - even in your own home. There might be limits on the types of breeds allowed in the neighborhood, where you can walk your dogs, and what you’re required to do about pet waste in your own backyard.

• Airbnb and other rentals could be prohibited. Many HOAs require residents to get written permission for renting out the home - even if it’s just for a weekend.

• Lawn maintenance has to meet the regulations. In many communities, there are rules about weeds, cutting the grass, chopping down trees and installing landscape features.

What Happens if You Break the Rules?

If you break your HOA’s rules, be prepared to pay a fine - or at least be threatened with one. Often, a homeowners association will let you know you’re outside the regulations and tell you that you’ll have to pay a fine - but if you get back within regulations, the HOA may waive the fine. Not all do, though, so be ready to pay up if you break the rules.

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Lakewood or Long Beach?

If you’re buying or selling a home in Lakewood or Long Beach, we can help. Call us at 562-882-1581 to find out how!