HOA Website and Condo Website Blog

The task of figuring out which items qualify as tax deductions may be confusing at times.  Residents that have never lived in a homeowners association often have the most questions about what can be included on their taxes.  The best advice for homeowners is to visit the HOA website frequently for updates or contact a board member to know what is allowed when filing taxes.  Almost everyone knows that residing in a homeowners association means paying HOA fees but can they be claimed on your taxes?

 

 

A majority of the time, HOA fees are not deductible as the IRS considers them to be assessed by a separate entity.  However, not every association is the same so look into what the HOA fees cover.  These fees are collected to cover the maintenance on amenities in the community and a portion is saved for the reserve funds. 

If a portion of the fees are used for areas that you could pay for then you might be able to claim that portion on your taxes.

 

In one instance, a portion of the HOA fees are tax deductible.  Homeowners who have a home office are allowed to claim a percentage of the fees that is proportional to the space occupied by the home office.  For example, if the home office takes up 20% of your home, you may claim 20% of the HOA fees on your taxes.

 

 

In most cases, the HOA website caters to homeowners that live in the community but some homeowners associations allow homeowners to rent their place.  In which case, HOA fees are tax deductible for the owner of the property since that is considered part of the operating expenses.  Tax season is a time where residents want to include every allowable deduction.  If you do your own taxes, consult with a tax professional and follow their recommendation regarding HOA fees!

Throughout the year, a variety of issues in the homeowners association are discussed during meetings.  Occasionally, various issues have a direct impact on your life as they might involve upgrades in the community that lead to higher HOA fees or a special assessment.

 

One of the many advantages to living in a homeowners association is that you can follow the homeowners association website and voice your opinion at meetings.  How can you make a difference on community issues in your homeowners association?

 

 

In any homeowners association, there are certain issues that need to be addressed every so often.  Homeowners may participate in how these issues are resolved by casting their vote at the annual meeting.  Typically, the homeowners association notifies each resident several weeks in advance so they can make arrangements to attend.

 

Residents unable to attend are advised to contact a board member or read the governing documents to learn about voting using a proxy.  With a proxy, you should always use a well-trusted person to ensure your vote is placed according to your wishes.

 

There are two ways you can vote by proxy in most homeowners associations which is by a general proxy and a directed proxy.  Both grant another person the right to vote on the homeowners behalf with one important difference.  A general proxy gives the person the right to vote without specifying how that vote is cast, but a directed proxy specifically directs how the person should cast the vote.

 

 

Homeowners should make voting a priority as it helps represent the community more accurately when people have a voice on issues.  The HOA board election is a key component when it comes to your rights in the homeowners association as elected board members control the future of the community.  Check the homeowners association website periodically or ask a board member if you want to know more about your rights.

Maintenance and insurance issues in the homeowners association may cause confusion among HOA board members.  The task to differentiate between areas covered under the insurance policy and items that are considered maintenance requires understanding the responsibilities of each.  The community website informs residents of many topics in the homeowners association but experience is often needed to distinguish between insurance and maintenance.

 

 

Maintenance is responsible for certain areas of the homeowners association such as the streets, roofs, and landscaping.  The first step in establishing what is covered under maintenance in the HOA is to identify the responsibilities as outlined in the governing documents.  The governing documents, or CC&R’s, clarify the responsibilities and limitations of maintenance.

 

For instance, maintenance covers replacing roofs due to deterioration but that coverage has boundaries.  In the CC&R’s, there’s a portion that explains what maintenance accounts for and also what insurance is supposed to cover.  HOA board members must act according to the governing documents and keep maintenance issues separate from items covered by insurance.  Without the community website, would you know where insurance coverage begins?

 

 

It’s not unusual for board members with limited experience to be unaware how to handle maintenance and insurance matters.  In regard to insurance, board members should confirm the homeowners association has adequate coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement.  Typically, this requirement is found in the bylaws and includes details about the insurance policy intended for the association.

 

The key is for board members to realize the importance of insurance and the time when it is necessary.  Maintenance is meant to keep the homeowners association up-to-date where insurance is meant for times where part of a building is destroyed.  Ideal action for the HOA board is to consult with a professional about insurance coverage that complies with the CC&R’s.

The beginning of each year is a great time for the HOA board to focus on improving certain aspects of the homeowners association to be better than the previous year.  As time passes, many circumstances can be expected to happen and the homeowner association website ensures residents they know the latest.  What key questions should board members address at the start of the year to avoid complications later on?

 

 

An important part of any homeowners association is to determine the budget for the operating budget and reserve fund.  The funds for the operating budget, or annual budget, get used to cover expenses that are recurring such as insurance and landscape upkeep.  The reserve fund is used on areas of the association that are typically expensive and occur over a long period of time such as replacing roofs.

 

When was the last time an extensive project was completed in the homeowners association?  A good idea is to update the reserve study every year to ensure sufficient funds are saved for future projects.  During a project, save all related expenses to accurately update the budget for reserve funds.

 

Aside from that, what else should be planned ahead for the year?  Schedule meetings in advance and post a calendar on the homeowner association website so homeowners may plan accordingly if they want to attend. Additionally, are there positions to fill on the HOA board?  If so, think about who would be a valuable addition and discuss it at the next board meeting.

 

 

If you don’t have an HOA manager, strongly consider hiring one as they help communications and manage deadlines in the homeowners association.  Their job is also to keep others informed about what needs to happen for the New Year to start well so residents enjoy a better quality of life.

The holiday season is a festive time where many residents in the homeowners association make plans with family and friends.  Before decorating your home or inviting anyone over, take a moment to read the Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions to verify you follow the rules of your association.  During times of celebration, you may forget what is posted on the neighborhood website but these reminders will ensure you adhere to the rules.

 

 

Three aspects to consider are outdoor decorations, noise level, and rules for visitors.  The last event you want to deal with during the holidays is for the HOA board to notify you that you have violated one of the homeowners association rules.  What should be a joyous occasion might quickly be spoiled with removing decorations or lighting to conform to the guidelines.

 

Always read over the CC&R’s prior to starting so you learn about the restrictions regarding outdoor decorations.  It just might save you from receiving an annoying violation notice and climbing the ladder to remove decorative lighting.  Aside from that, what noise level is acceptable and what should guests know about parking?

 

 

Many residents host a party for the holiday season which means parking spaces may be limited if neighbors next to each other have a party at the same time.  If you are the one hosting, take a look at the CC&R’s or ask an HOA board member about guest parking so your family and friends know where they should park.

 

Occasionally, the noise level at holiday parties will be loud, especially if there is a large crowd.  In a homeowners association, noise should be kept to a minimum to respect other residents and end the party at a respectable time.  Residents are urged to check the neighborhood website frequently for updates and remember these reminders to ensure the HOA rules are followed!

The HOA website provides homeowners with the latest news about the homeowners association and tips that make their life easier.  When a season changes, many residents make time for seasonal cleaning to dispose of items that are no longer used.  Often, items are put in a convenient place until later which eventually causes the neighborhood to look disorganized.  Prevent that from happening by donating items to a nearby organization so the homeowners association stays looking clean and organized.

 

 

Guidelines from one donation center to the next varies so always ask what they accept if your item isn’t listed as an eligible donation.  If one donation center rejects your donation, network with your neighbors to see if they know another location that would accept it.

 

Neighbors in the homeowners association might know of a closer donation center which helps significantly when you want to donate larger items.  A variety of items are accepted at donation centers as they are in need of certain donations.  Usual donations accepted include clothing, furniture, electronics, appliances, vehicles, sporting goods, books, dishes, jewelry, and toys.

 

Homeowners generally dispose of broken items but some organizations will accept them as long as you inform them ahead of time it needs repaired.  The task of delivering unwanted items to an organization may present an obstacle, but larger organizations are likely to pick it up from your home.  What else should you know before donating?

 

 

At the end of the year, items you donated may be used to count as a tax deduction if you get a receipt from the donation center.  Create an itemized list of the items you give away along with an estimated value and request a receipt before you leave.  Regularly visit the HOA website to know the latest tips towards keeping the homeowners association clean.

Not all homeowners associations have an HOA board that consists of members who treat everyone equally and fairly.  There are over 351,000 homeowners associations in the United States and some of those HOA’s may have a homeowner that pushes their own agenda.

 

Inappropriate behavior may eventually lead to some form of bullying on the community website or during a meeting regardless of CC&R’s and rules.  Homeowners who are long-time residents of the community may try to persuade a board member or HOA manager to enforce what they want.  What can you do if this happens in your homeowners association?

 

 

Homeowners that display questionable behavior may do things such as insult other homeowners and interfere at times with their demands.  When those demands aren’t met, they often resort to bullying to get even or become very vocal about how the HOA board should be at fault.  If that happens, HOA board members must promptly remedy the situation by reminding the homeowner about the CC&R’s and HOA rules.

 

Comments on the community website may also get out of control when debatable topics are mentioned.  Online bullying is more likely to happen than bullying in the homeowners association as people think they can get away with it.  Any homeowner who feels they have been bullied is encouraged to consult with a board member as soon as possible.  How should you act if you were to become a board member?

 

 

Most bullies are easy to identify since there are certain tactics they use on different people to push their agenda.  Condescending comments usually indicate a negative attitude and whether or not they have plans to try and divide the HOA board.  Board members that work together know the tactics bullies use and act accordingly to ensure the homeowners association always enforces the rules.

In any homeowners association, there should be funds allocated towards repairs in the future or to cover maintenance needs that might be expensive.  Reserve funds make it possible for repairs and maintenance in the community to be performed without delays or burdening homeowners with a special assessment.  Do HOA board members have a financial plan in place for the future of your homeowners association and the homeowners association website?

 

 

In the homeowners association, a sequence of repairs can result in a shortage of reserve funds.  The HOA board has the challenging task of ensuring adequate money is always in the reserves.  Costly repairs such as roofs need to be saved for but the average life span of a roof is anywhere from 15 to 30 years depending on the roofing materials and labor costs.

 

If it would cost $75,000 to replace the roof and it needs replaced after 15 years, then each year $5,000 should be saved.  The HOA board should make sure a percentage of the HOA fees are set aside for the reserve fund so all areas of the homeowners association are well-kept.  How can the HOA board confirm that the reserve fund always has enough money?

 

 

The process of conducting a reserve study involves analyzing the homeowners association visually and creating a plan that considers all repairs or replacements.  Do you know when your homeowners association last performed a reserve study?

 

A reserve study should be updated yearly even when no repairs are performed as the rate of inflation has a profound impact on funding future projects.  Know which items the homeowners association is responsible for by frequently visiting the homeowners association website and reading the governing documents.  You should always question how the HOA board will fund major projects in the future as it may save you from a special assessment!

Every homeowners association needs to plan for the future and one way of doing that is to conduct a reserve study.  A reserve study is performed to determine when areas of the association will need renovated or repaired and how much that will cost.  Certain areas such as the roof and parking lot are expensive to repair so money needs to be saved each month to fund those projects when mandatory.  Does your homeowners association set aside enough money to pay for future repairs?

 

 

Typically, a reserve study is prepared by someone who specializes in doing them but they can be performed by anyone.  Board members should ensure they have an extensive knowledge of HOA’s in order to accurately calculate a time frame and a budget.  An HOA board member will analyze the budget and determine how much of the HOA fees will be required to cover the expense of future projects.

 

A competent reserve study performed by a professional provides board members with valuable information as they know what to look for and offer helpful advice.  It can be difficult to predict what areas will need repaired based on appearance or when the last time any maintenance was performed.  Areas of the homeowners association need updated from time to time including the neighborhood website.  What happens if the reserve study is not performed by a professional and funds are insufficient?

 

 

The reserve study not only matters to board members but also to homeowners whether they follow the neighborhood website or not.  If the reserve study fails to include all areas of the homeowners association or the budget is not accurate then there would be a shortage of reserve funds.  Unfortunately, a shortage of reserve funds leads to a special assessment unless board members postpone projects in the community.

HOA fees are part of owning a home located in a homeowners association but these fees help provide amenities for you and others in the community.  In most associations, they cover amenities such as pools, tennis courts, trash removal, landscaping, and maintenance in the community.  Does the HOA website explain in detail what the homeowners association fees cover and when you might expect an increase?  If not, you may be surprised one day to find out that the fees have gone up to cover other areas.

 

 

The governing documents of the homeowners association clarify what the homeowner association is responsible for so take the time to understand them.  Not all homeowners associations are run correctly and HOA fees can vary a great deal in what they cover from one homeowners association to another.

 

Never assume that an association with higher fees provides more amenities.  Equally, verify that an association with lower fees provides basic amenities and request to see a history of the fees to determine how often they are raised.  HOA fees not only cover amenities but a portion of the money is also set aside in an account called a reserve fund.

 

This account provides the funds for bigger projects such as repaving roads and replacing roofs.  If the HOA fee is lower than average then residents may be asked to fund those projects in the form of paying a special assessment.

 

 

Just because you pay higher HOA fees or a special assessment doesn’t guarantee that everything will be covered.  The best way to find out what the fees cover is to ask the HOA board and what might cause that to change in the future.  This saves you the frustration of finding out later that some amenities are not covered if the HOA website isn’t up-to-date.