I used to be president of an HOA.
There are two types of HOA: Mandatory and Optional. Many neighborhoods that were built prior to 1990 have the Optional type of HOA. Here is the difference:
In a Mandatory HOA all neighbors must pay dues and must follow the HOA's covenants and restrictions. Dues are usually higher and may even be monthly, depending on what the HOA is for - for example, if there are neighborhood facilities such as a clubhouse, pool or tennis courts and the HOA pays for the maintenance of these. Mandatory HOA's can cost thousands of dollars a year to belong to, depending on the neighborhood and the amenities. Mandatory HOA's have very extensive rules and fine associated with breaking any covenant or restriction and these are managed by an HOA management company and a lawyer who sends out notification of fines or warnings about breaking covenants and restrictions and files legal paperwork on non-compliant homeowners on behalf of the HOA. If a homeowner fails to pay their dues, the HOA can place a lien on their house and/or fine them until dues are paid up. If the homeowner breaks a convenant or restriction, the HOA can fine them for that. If a homeowner has, for example, not paid their dues and has several HOA fines, upon sale of their home, these must be paid to HOA - the HOA actually fills out a form for the realtor stating what is owed. In some cases, the fines have been so huge for some homeowners that they have lost their home to the HOA. HOA abuse is an issue with many homeowners.
In an Optional HOA, homeowners can choose to join and pay dues or not. The Optional HOA doesn't actually have the right to fine anyone itself, however, the board members can call or write to neighbors and ask them to comply with the covenants and restrictions. If someone is breaking covenants and restrictions, they can be taken to court about it by any other neighbor who is a member of the HOA. However, this rarely happens. Usually, an Optional HOA has low dues - for example $100 per year and does not have the money for lawyers and HOA management companies that assess fines and place liens on property like in a Mandatory HOA.
With the age of the Anthony's home, my guess is that they have an Optional HOA, but I could be wrong.
There are two types of HOA: Mandatory and Optional. Many neighborhoods that were built prior to 1990 have the Optional type of HOA. Here is the difference:
In a Mandatory HOA all neighbors must pay dues and must follow the HOA's covenants and restrictions. Dues are usually higher and may even be monthly, depending on what the HOA is for - for example, if there are neighborhood facilities such as a clubhouse, pool or tennis courts and the HOA pays for the maintenance of these. Mandatory HOA's can cost thousands of dollars a year to belong to, depending on the neighborhood and the amenities. Mandatory HOA's have very extensive rules and fine associated with breaking any covenant or restriction and these are managed by an HOA management company and a lawyer who sends out notification of fines or warnings about breaking covenants and restrictions and files legal paperwork on non-compliant homeowners on behalf of the HOA. If a homeowner fails to pay their dues, the HOA can place a lien on their house and/or fine them until dues are paid up. If the homeowner breaks a convenant or restriction, the HOA can fine them for that. If a homeowner has, for example, not paid their dues and has several HOA fines, upon sale of their home, these must be paid to HOA - the HOA actually fills out a form for the realtor stating what is owed. In some cases, the fines have been so huge for some homeowners that they have lost their home to the HOA. HOA abuse is an issue with many homeowners.
In an Optional HOA, homeowners can choose to join and pay dues or not. The Optional HOA doesn't actually have the right to fine anyone itself, however, the board members can call or write to neighbors and ask them to comply with the covenants and restrictions. If someone is breaking covenants and restrictions, they can be taken to court about it by any other neighbor who is a member of the HOA. However, this rarely happens. Usually, an Optional HOA has low dues - for example $100 per year and does not have the money for lawyers and HOA management companies that assess fines and place liens on property like in a Mandatory HOA.
With the age of the Anthony's home, my guess is that they have an Optional HOA, but I could be wrong.