Four Things You Must Do If You Live in an Idaho Homeowner’s Association

Many Idaho residents are reaping the benefits to live in a homeowner’s association.  However, if you are moving into a planned community that has a homeowner’s association; chances are there will be a Board that is responsible to oversee and to manage the development’s covenants.  The Board is generally a collection of neighbors who volunteer their time.  They uphold the collective bylaws or CC&Rs in order to mitigate property values.  Some developments may choose to have a professional association management service handle the collection of dues, accounting or enforcement of the bylaws

As a homeowner, here are four things you must do to enjoy the full benefit of your association:

Ask for a copy of your homeowner’s covenants and bylaws

Take some time to read through them. The documents will guide you on the basic rules for living in the community, how to get answers to your questions, and when you need to obtain HOA approval for remodeling or additions.

Contact Information

Make sure your homeowner’s association has your current contact information.  Such as your phone numbers and an e-mail address. This helps ensure you’re kept informed of proposed changes to the bylaws, any requests for exceptions, repairs or maintenance issues, community events and other news.

Attend a homeowner’s association meeting

Not only will this give you a chance to meet some of your neighbors, it will make you more familiar with the Board or its association management team.  This can help if you need to request an approval, such as to paint your house or if you want to suggest a change in the bylaws.

Arrange for an automatic payment for your dues

This suggestion leads back to question #1.  Read the fine print, as failure to pay your homeowner’s association dues could result in a violation to the bylaws.  Written within some bylaws, a property lien can be applied to your home which could lead to foreclosure.  Failing to pay can cause tension with the Board and your neighbors.   Even if you catch up, it can leave a negative impression with everyone.  All homeowners are legally bound to pay an equal share in the maintenance and management of your community.  Being a Board member is no exception.

For the past two decades, MGM Association Management has supported and assisted homeowner associations throughout the State of Idaho.  As a professional member of the Community Association Institute (CAI), MGM helps to govern and manage neighborhoods.   This allows the Board to focus on more relevant issues to keep their community thriving.  To learn how MGM can assist your homeowner’s association, we encourage you to contact them at https://www.gomgm.com or call (208) 846-9189.