There are approximately 370,000 Homeowners Associations (HOAS) in the United States, overseeing 53% of the homes occupied by the owner, and representing approximately 75.5 million residents as of 2024.
The HOAS intentions are designed to maintain property values and ensure a properly managed community for the benefit of its residents, but they can become expensive and cause frustration.
Recent data suggests that 70% of homeowners say they prefer a community without HOA when they buy a new home in the future.
Findings come from an analysis of 2,500 Reddit submissions and over 200,000 comments on HOA.
Many Florida natives who commented on the Reddit site cited the top headaches they have at their HOA.
The most complaining issue:
The majority of complaints (36%) focused on HOA actions and policies, including restrictive rules, lack of transparency, overreach and biased decision-making. These policies were the most frequently cited complaints in online forums.
Neighborhood conflicts and financial concerns each account for around 14% of complaints. Nearby conflicts included issues relating to noise, parking, pets and trash management. Financial complaints focus on high fees and mismanagement of funds.
Condo/Apartment Concerns: Shared walls, guest parking and rental regulations account for more than 11% of complaints.
Freedom/Individual Rights: Complaints about signs, outdoor activities and surveillance restrictions have risen by 10%.
Aesthetic Disputes: Regulations regarding fences, paint colors and garden maintenance were 8% of the complaints.
Maintenance Issues: Concerns about ignored repairs, landscaping and security systems concluded the list with 7%. Nearby conflicts also account for 13.9% of complaints, with common issues such as noise, parking, shared spaces and trash. However, HOAs are rarely responsible for these disputes.
Real Estate Expert Cynthia Seifert, founder of Lead Generation Tool Key Lead, advises clients about HOAs when buying a home or considering investing
Seifert says it is important to review their bylaws whenever you make changes to your property to avoid fines from your HOA. Reconfirm the HOA bylaws to ensure that you don’t have to pay a fine of hundreds or thousands of dollars.
“Before committing to a property, buyers should consider which state and the type of property they want to buy to reduce the likelihood of encountering HOA issues. Buyers should also consider HOA policies carefully. It is important to inquire about fees, general complaints, and rules enforcement,” Seifert said.
