*Updated* MN advancing law that would ban the requirement of HOAs for new developments. Iowa does the opposite.

[TrailCy]

Updated: I forgot to add the bill would also remove city council approval for new developments *IF* the comprehensive plan and zoning districts permit the development. The rational is the city already agreed to housing in certain areas through the public review process, so adding additional council review increases time and drives up cost. The bill would mandate an administrative review process.

The Minnesota Legislature is advancing a bipartisan bill (SF1750) that bans cities from requiring commonly-owned lots in new developments in order to force the creation of an HOA for that development.

The rational is that HOAs limit the construction of new home and raise prices and monthly costs for buyers.

In Iowa, most cities require an HOA for ALL new developments. You cannot build a new subdivision without an HOA in all parts of the DSM metro. The HOA is then required to maintain storm water ponds, drainage, etc. HOA boards are not filled with engineering professionals, so it's a terrible position to put homeowners in.

What are your thoughts?

 

[cowgirl836]

My neighborhood has an HOA and while they are aggressive in selectively enforcing covenants against signs they don't like - they are absolutely toothless in going after homeowners who made changes to drainage that caused repeat flooding to a neighbor. Also useless in going after the municapality for failing to maintain a drainage area that is backing up and causing property damage/settling to multiple homes.

I do not give a single **** about whether my neighbor's RV sits on the driveway for 24 vs 72 hours but that's where these people spend their time and energy. Get rid of HOAs.

 

[ackatch]

I detest HOAs. Like, irrational hatred.

It furthermore doesn't help that (at least in our HOA), it doesn't get handed over to the residents until 90% of the lots in the neighborhood have been built AND SOLD. So in our neighborhood (where they keep adding lots to), it might be another 3-4 years before we actually have control over it.

 

[Drew0311]

The Minnesota Legislature is advancing a bipartisan bill (SF1750) that bans cities from requiring commonly-owned lots in new developments in order to force the creation of an HOA for that development.

The rational is that HOAs limit the construction of new home and raise prices and monthly costs for buyers.

In Iowa, most cities require an HOA for ALL new developments. You cannot build a new subdivision without an HOA in all parts of the DSM metro. The HOA is then required to maintain storm water ponds, drainage, etc. HOA boards are not filled with engineering professionals, so it's a terrible position to put homeowners in.

What are your thoughts?

If an HOA was just responsible for making sure the sewer and roads were fine in the development it would be fine. However, when they started giving Karens and Chads power to tell the neighbors what they could do, they lost everyone. My HOA is not that bad to be honest. They don't really mess with us.

 

[Mr Janny]

Our HOA is pretty decent. Fees are reasonable. We have a good amount of common space, with a small park, a pond, some paths, and some natural prairie areas. It's easy to see where my fees go, as those areas require maintenance, and they get used a lot by the neighborhood. Hardly hear from the HOA, and I think that's a result of having some good people in the leadership roles.

So I can't really can't complain. I appear to have a good one.


That said... **** HOAs as a general rule.

 

[Blackhawk6515]

I wouldn't live in a HOA area. Nobody telling me how what I can and can't do to my house.

 

[HOTDON]

Ours is a glorified neighborhood watch. A Facebook group to ***** about things and post pictures of the dogs we all know are free range as 'lost' hoping the lazy owners will take the hint.

 

[cowgirl836]

I'd also take a look at the HOA covenants because they all use the same template and it very often doesn't actually put in penalties.

Also, nonpartisan solution here is to go to your state reps and make a case designed to appeal to the ruling party.

 

[BCClone]

Guess this is one of the benefits of building in small towns. No HOAs.

 

[cowgirl836]

I wouldn't live in a HOA area. Nobody telling me how what I can and can't do to my house.

This can get tricky though because to OP's point - most new build areas are making it de facto.

 

[TrailCy]

If an HOA was just responsible for making sure the sewer and roads were fine in the development it would be fine. However, when they started giving Karens and Chads power to tell the neighbors what they could do, they lost everyone. My HOA is not that bad to be honest. They don't really mess with us.

Private roads and sewers are a terrible option IMO. HOAs are not contract managers, they don't know how to diagnose and scope sewer problems, etc. Leave it to the professionals.

 

[TrailCy]

This can get tricky though because to OP's point - most new build areas are making it de facto.

If you want a new home in the DSM area you will have an HOA. It is not optional.

 

[IcSyU]

I see both sides of the issue.

There's absolutely nothing wrong IMO with requiring people to mow their yards or require they don't just say screw seeding and let weeds be their yard. I also don't mind things like sq ft minimums so you can't have someone build a $1M house and then have a developer get in a spot where they put in a bunch of starter homes around it.

Now I don't give a single **** if your trash cans sit next to your garage. I don't care what color your siding is. I don't care if I see the foundation.

Basically just be respectful and there aren't issues but the issue is most people aren't respectful.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

We have an HOA in our neighborhood, dues are $145 a year, to maintain the park down the street and a few other things. Basically only two no nos, everyone that puts up a fence, must be at least 6 foot tall and white vinyl and no above ground pools. I guess in-ground pools are fine. Most of the homes have the white vinyl fences, when we put ours in, the guy said you could ask about putting in a fence that allowed more of the wind to pass through as some had been damaged during high winds, but we figured it would look strange to have a different type of fence than the surrounding homes.

 

[somecyguy]

The last time I moved, I told my wife that I won't consider anything with a HOA. I understand the desire of HOAs, but they have been weaponized so much now that 99% of the "issues" are a waste of time.

 

[isufbcurt]

Mn continues with common sense, Iowa not so much.

 

[TrailCy]

I see both sides of the issue.

There's absolutely nothing wrong IMO with requiring people to mow their yards or require they don't just say screw seeding and let weeds be their yard. I also don't mind things like sq ft minimums so you can't have someone build a $1M house and then have a developer get in a spot where they put in a bunch of starter homes around it.

Now I don't give a single **** if your trash cans sit next to your garage. I don't care what color your siding is. I don't care if I see the foundation.

Basically just be respectful and there aren't issues but the issue is most people aren't respectful.

All of the issues you cite are solved with city zoning laws.

 

[PineClone]

Clearly HOA's come with the good and the bad. I was on an HOA board for quite a few years. People would come to meetings and complain about covenants..."Why can't I park my semi-truck/trailer on the street...isn't it a good thing that i have a job??".

When buying a house, if there is an HOA/covenants, then it is your choice to buy or not buy. Don't come back later and complain that you don't like the rules.

I agree with the poster above...If the HOA is there to take care of community assets (parks, pool, etc.), that is a really good thing. Covenants are another matter, and if you have strong code enforcement from your city/county, then covenants shouldn't really be needed.

 

[alarson]

If an HOA was just responsible for making sure the sewer and roads were fine in the development it would be fine. However, when they started giving Karens and Chads power to tell the neighbors what they could do, they lost everyone. My HOA is not that bad to be honest. They don't really mess with us.

Yeah, HOAs definitely have their roles (and in some developments you simply have to have them like with condos/townhomes), but many times we could benefit from having state regulation on them because they turn into quasi-governmental entities unto themselves without the regulations a city council might be forced to follow such as open meeting requirements, notice of meetings and agendas, etc.

 

[Havs]

The Minnesota Legislature is advancing a bipartisan bill (SF1750) that bans cities from requiring commonly-owned lots in new developments in order to force the creation of an HOA for that development.

The rational is that HOAs limit the construction of new home and raise prices and monthly costs for buyers.

In Iowa, most cities require an HOA for ALL new developments. You cannot build a new subdivision without an HOA in all parts of the DSM metro. The HOA is then required to maintain storm water ponds, drainage, etc. HOA boards are not filled with engineering professionals, so it's a terrible position to put homeowners in.

What are your thoughts?

HOAs are just another way to make housing unaffordable.