What Are the Rules of a HomeOwners’ Association & Do They Apply to You?

HomeOwners’ Associations (HOA) are in place to ensure all the common areas of a property are maintained to a high standard. This makes the condominium development, apartment building or resort a great place to live.

But for you to receive all the benefits and support of an HOA, you also need to comply with its rules and regulations. The following information can help you better judge what living in an HOA community is like - including some of the main rules they tend to enforce.

• What Are Some Common Enforced Rules? 
• Do HOA Rules Apply to You?

What Are Some Common Enforced Rules? 

Although HOA laws can sometimes seem strict, they’re in place to protect property values and owners’ interests. It might seem like just another cost to think about, but the HOA is clearly for the benefit of the entire community.

Now, every HOA is different and should have clearly outlined policies. However, here are some key points to note and some of the more common rules that many HOAs apply:

• Before committing to a condo, you should research their association and determine exactly how much you’ll need to pay and what the fees will cover. Your real estate agent should assist you in finding out all of the rules and regulations for the association, along with other important considerations.
• The HOA has a responsibility to ensure the community looks a certain way, which means they’re going to have rules concerning landscaping. Some of the rules will be obvious, like keeping your laundry inside your condo, but you might find some obscure ones too. 
• An essential HOA rule you need to know is the policy on rentals. Unfortunately, not every HOA will allow you to rent out your property,  especially short term. You'll want to verify the rules concerning rentals to avoid expensive fines and disappointment. It’s also worth noting that some condo resorts actively promote rentals.
• For lots of us pets are important parts of our family and many HOAs have rules concerning them. So before you buy or rent a condo, it’s wise to check if your four-legged friend will be allowed.
• There will likely be rules about waste, such as limits on what can go in the garbage, or when you can take out or bring back your trash cans.
• HOAs often have strict rules about holiday decorations and how elaborate or large they can be. They may also have rules on when you can put your holiday decorations up and when you have to take them down.
• Almost all HOAs have rules requiring you to keep your home’s design similar to the other homes in the community. That means you’ll probably break the rules if you paint your home a different color, add an awning or patio furniture that doesn’t match. It may be possible to make small design changes to the home, but you’ll most likely need to get written approval from the HOA first. Condos in condo hotels need to have the same interiors for hotel marketing purposes, so there will be very little flexibility when it comes to this type of property.
• It’s no surprise many HOAs will have rules concerning noise. They’ll often have hours when an amount of noise is allowed and defined hours when antisocial noise is not allowed. This is for the benefit of everybody living in the property or resort.

Please be aware that government regulations prevent Non-Bermudian homeowners from renting out their home without express permission from the Government Ministry.

Permission will seldom, if ever, be granted for a period in excess of twelve months and renewal of permission will be considered on its merits at the time.

A non-Bermudian who owns a hotel condominium residence (like the ones at Bermudiana Beach) is exempt and can rent property they own to Bermudians and to non-Bermudians with a work permit, residential certificate or to any non-Bermudian staying for less than 90 days in Bermuda providing it is rented through the hotel inventory.

The rules are there to make sure the resort is a pleasant place to call home, but does everybody have to abide?

Do HOA Rules Apply to You?

You should always research the rules of an HOA before you commit to purchasing but more than likely, you’ll need to respect them. Moving into a planned development often requires you to join the community's HOA and pay its fees to help cover the upkeep of common areas, shared structures and exteriors.

If you own property in a hotel condominium, your annual rental income will contribute towards the HOA fee. Sometimes, property costs can be tax-deductible as a rental expense. 

Keep in mind, the rules of the HOA are legally binding and you agree to abide when you sign your membership and ownership documentation.

It’s crucial to know how HOA’s work alongside condo owners, particularly in a hotel condominium model. That's why we’ve created a resource that includes the finer details.

Explore More About HOA and Hotel Condominium Ownership 

You shouldn't avoid HOAs as they benefit everybody involved in a condominium property or resort. That’s why we’ve created a visual guide for everything you need to know about owning a condo in a hotel condominium resort. From HOA details to how the hotel condominium model weighs up against fractional ownership or renting out your vacation home yourself - it’s accessible and easy to read.

It shows how hotel condominiums make vacation home ownership a breeze. From their relationship with prestigious hospitality giants like Hilton to how they can make great rental properties, click below to get access and start your journey.