What Are HOA Restrictive Covenants?

Purchasing a home in a community needs careful selection of the right location and HOA property with lenient rules which can make your life easy. If you have belonged in an HOA association or lived in a community managed by the homeowners, you understand covenants can be restrictive. Since these HOA restrictive covenants impact your life, you should understand their importance and their benefits for the HOA; read on about these covenants.

What Are Restrictive Covenants?

Restrictive covenants restrict buyers’ actions; in this case, they are the rules which limit owners actions within an HOA community. They are written legal guidance and obligations which apply to homeowners in a community. They impact how the owners use the property and help determine what homeowners can do and cannot do with their properties. It allows owners to know their boundaries, leading to harmonious co-existence.

The Benefits of the HOA Covenants

You might think the restrictive covenants are unfair, but they benefit the HOA community. They help define the HOA functions in the community and teach the community owners to understand their contribution towards the peaceful co-existence within the community.

The HOA community helps preserve the property values by making the neighborhood appealing and an excellent place to live. The property might deteriorate due to abuse when the owners are left to do as they please. However, the restrictive covenants make the community loveable by outlining the rules members follow and what they should avoid doing.

An example of restrictive covenants is the color paint the owners can use on the exterior surfaces. At first, it might seem absurd for the HOA to control the color schemes, but without the restrictive measurements on colors, owners might make the outdoors unappealing due to contrasting color patterns. Color might seem trivial, but it can make the property appealing when the homes have has a coordinated look. An appealing color scheme can improve property value, and HOA would want to maintain or enhance property value.

It is easier to resolve issues within the community when restrictive covenants state the rules. The Association will define the right behaviors and the undesirable behaviors in the community. For instance, the HOA might have rules about pets, and if the neighbors own loud pets who bark all night, the HOA can resolve pet noises in the neighborhood.

Types of HOA Covenants

Although not all the HOA have similar covenants, it is common for the Association to uphold the same covenants. These covenants would vary from one neighborhood to another or from one state to another. Some common HOA restrictions include;

· House color

The outdoor color is a typical HOA restrictive covenant that cuts across almost all the HOA communities. This rule restricts the owners from painting the outdoor spaces with different color schemes. The HOA can choose a color pattern which all the owners can adopt for their outdoors.

· Exterior construction

The HOA might restrict exterior construction, and thus before constructing a gate, you can consult about the necessary design and color.

· Rental use

Although you can use the property as you wish, some HOA’s have rules on using the property. HOAs might restrict owners from renting out their property.

· Vehicle restriction

The HOA might restrict the number of vehicles, where they can be parked, and the vehicle types.

· Pet policy

Some HOA’s have strict no-pet policies, while some have reasonable restrictions on pet ownership. Thus members should know the pet restriction before getting a pet.

Final Thoughts

Although property owners might not like all HOA restrictions, they are functional. The restrictions ensure the owners live peacefully, leading to harmony within the community. Moreover, the restrictive rules provide the property’s proper maintenance, leading to better service and increased value.