HOA fines help implement community rules and regulations defined in its governing agreements (CC&Rs). When homeowners break the rules and standards of their community, they usually get fines. The rules of an association can be different, but most of them include things like not taking care of the lawn, parking in the wrong place, or making too much noise.
Most of the time, homeowners who don’t follow the rules and regulations in the CC&Rs can be warned or fined. Most violations can be fixed with a friendly reminder, either in person or in writing, and your board will help you solve most problems. When problems keep happening, HOAs can charge a fine.
How to figure out if HOA fine policies are legal?
Even though it’s easy to fall back on fines and violations, HOAs must do their best to stay out of trouble. This includes ensuring that the association’s rules are fair and legal. Fines from the HOA are often a source of disagreement.
Purpose of HOA Fines
In the HOA scene, fines are common. In fact, most associations use fines to discourage people from breaking the rules and regulations in a community.
Not every HOA is the same, though. Some HOAs have rules about fines that aren’t too strict, while others are pretty strict.
In an HOA community, fines and penalties are used for two main reasons. The first is to make it easy for the HOA board to follow the rules in the governing documents. In short, it’s a way for the board to deal with residents who break the rules immediately without going to court.
Even though warning letters sometimes work, people are more likely to follow the rules when they have to pay. This is the second reason why HOA fines are given out. They try to stop homeowners from breaking the rules. Even though fines might not stop people who don’t mind losing money, the shame of being called out by the board for breaking the rules is sometimes enough.
Can your homeowners’ association fine you?
It’s time to answer one of the most often asked questions about HOA fines: Can an HOA fine you? Yes, in a nutshell. The bylaws must grant explicit permission for the board of directors to issue a fine to a resident who has violated them.
There are governing documents indicating that the board can issue fines, while others just imply it. Consider changing your governing documents to provide the HOA board the authority if they don’t already have it.
A straightforward process for dealing with infractions is also essential. Often, HOA boards begin by issuing a warning to the infringing party. Only when the resident commits the same violation for the second time will they warrant a fine. Before enforcing the fine, your HOA may be compelled to hold a hearing in the state where it is located. Additional notification may also be required for the suspected violation, including all relevant information.
Explain your HOA’s rules about fines in detail so that nothing can be misunderstood. So, the board will have a clear plan to follow and can set an excellent example for other board members.
But just having a process for fines and violations is not enough. The HOA board also has to teach homeowners about the rules of the HOA. This means letting people know about new regulations, policies, or procedures. If a resident breaks a law they were never told about, the board can’t hold it against them.
How much do most HOA fines cost?
The HOA board decides how much fines are and if they are fair. Most HOA fines start at around $25, go up to $50, and then to $100-$200 if you don’t pay or keep breaking the rule. The fine amount is also affected by what kind of rule was broken.
When setting a fine, the amount must be neither too low nor too high. If the fine is too small, it won’t stop people from breaking the rules; if it’s too big, it could be seen as extortion.
But on the other hand, more extensive violations may deserve more significant fines, especially if they endanger the safety of other members or cause a lot of money to be lost. A homeowner shouldn’t have to pay a $200 fine just because they didn’t pick up after their dog.
However, some HOA encourages people to clean up after their dogs. An organization may levy fines of $100 or more for this infringement.
How do HOAs collect fines?
Most of the time, a warning is given first, and then a fine is issued. Your HOA likely has a plan for how things will get worse when it comes to fines. Usually, it starts with teaching the new homeowners. People who know more about the community rules may get a letter or phone call to tell them to fix any problems.
At this step in the process, a fine may be given. The mistake should be fixed quickly, and the fines should be paid as soon as possible. Depending on your community’s rules and local, state, and federal laws, you may have to pay more fees if you don’t pay your fines.
If a homeowner doesn’t pay the fine, the HOA board has two options for getting the money:
Small claims court- It’s easy and cheap to take your case to a small claims court. Also, you don’t need to hire a lawyer. The problem with this is that judges can be rude to HOAs, and there is no way to appeal a decision.
Superior court– This takes more time and work because you have to file a lawsuit and hire an attorney. There is also a chance that it will lead to a trial.
Final Thoughts
When making your HOA fine policies, it is essential to consider homeowner rights and state laws. You don’t want to give homeowners a reason to sue your board in court.
If homeowners think their rights are being violated, they won’t hesitate to learn how to fight HOA fines and do so. When putting policies into place, remember to act reasonably and stay consistent.