What Is an HOA? How Homeowners Associations Work

Homeowners associations (HOAs) are official groups of residents that preside over a community. Residents are required to pay HOA fees, which fund amenities.

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

Updated · 7 min read
Profile photo of Abby Badach Doyle
Written by Abby Badach Doyle
Lead Writer
Profile photo of Alice Holbrook
Edited by Alice Holbrook
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Homeowners associations (HOAs) are private groups that create legally enforceable rules about what you and your neighbors can and can’t do with your property.

Despite their portrayal in pop culture, HOAs aren’t always a nitpicky suburban hive mind.

HOA fees pay for neighborhood maintenance and amenities, such as landscaping and parks. And most Americans living in community arrangements (including HOAs) are satisfied with them, according to a 2022 study by the Foundation for Community Association Research. Eighty-nine percent of residents rated their overall experience as good, very good or neutral, and 68% said the community rules protected and enhanced property values.

If you've only heard about HOAs through sitcoms and memes, it's time to put down your pitchforks. (After all, they might be against the landscaping policy.)

Here's how HOAs really work — and what to ask before you buy in an HOA community.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mortgage loans from our partners

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Veterans United - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Veterans United

Veterans United

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans United - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
0%

Check Rate

on Veterans United

ADVERTISEMENT

Mortgage loans from our partners

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Veterans United - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Veterans United

Veterans United

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans United - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
0%

Check Rate

on Veterans United