One of the primary reasons HOA fees might feel high or are on the rise is inflation. The increasing costs of services, labor, and materials place HOAs in a challenging position, often leading them to make tough choices between hiking up assessments or cutting back on services and maintenance.
Once you buy a home that's part of an HOA, you automatically become a member of the HOA. HOA rules are legally binding, and you must adhere to all rules and regulations in the governing document. Yes, there are bylaws that you may not like, but there are no HOA loopholes.
The HOA board sets these fees based on the community's budget and financial needs. The board calculates these fees to ensure adequate funding for maintaining and operating shared spaces and amenities. Therefore, negotiating your personal HOA fees is usually not an option.
Key Takeaways: HOAs Cannot Directly Evict Tenants – While HOAs enforce rules and maintain community standards, they cannot directly evict tenants. However, rule violations, unpaid fees, or legal actions initiated by the HOA can impact the property owner, potentially leading to eviction through the landlord.
Homeowners' Associations in New York, or otherwise known as Common Interest Communities, are regulated by the Attorney General's office and must be set up as non-profit organizations. They are governed by NY Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, the Association's Articles of Declaration, and Bylaws.
The New York State Eviction Moratorium that allowed tenants to file a hardship declaration to stop their eviction expired on January 15, 2022. Landlords are now allowed to serve court papers and the courts will be resuming eviction proceedings even if you filed a hardship declaration.
Homeowners often ask whether local laws supersede the rules and regulations set forth by their homeowner association (HOA). The short answer is yes, local laws do supersede HOA rules.
The Office of the New York State Attorney General (OAG) requires that the sponsor file an offering plan for the homeowners association, and that the sponsor maintain the commitments it made in the offering plan. The OAG's jurisdiction is limited to ownership and maintenance of HOA common property.
Good Cause Eviction is a New York State law that went into effect on April 20, 2024. It gives some tenants of unregulated (also known as “market rate”) homes in New York City new protections.