10 common but little-known HOA fines to watch out for – and how to avoid them

Whether you’re decorating your home or carrying out renovation works, learning about common HOA fines that aren’t often talked about is important so you aren’t stung with an unexpected but hefty surprise.

These fines can be handed out in the US when HOA members break rules and standards set in place. However, they can vary significantly between different areas – and some can be especially unusual. I’ve asked real estate agents and home improvement professionals what ones are worth watching out for and how to avoid them.

If you’re seeking out big home project permits or even just ticking off home maintenance tasks, finding out the HOA fines to swerve now will save you a lot of headaches later.

10 Common but little known HOA fines to watch out for

1. Interior remodels

One of the biggest surprises for a homeowner can be finding out that interior design and decorating remodels can come under the approval of an HOA.

‘I had a project in a condo where I started a kitchen remodel, only to receive a stop-work order and a fine for not obtaining HOA approval first,’ explains Brett Johnson, real estate agent and owner of New Era Home Buyers. ‘Many HOAs have rules about structural changes and even flooring replacements.’

Before removing a wall or replacing carpet for hardwood, Brett says that it’s a good idea to check the exact regulations, in order to avoid fines and delays.

2. Security camera doorbells

One of the biggest home trends in recent years has been home tech, with more and more people reaching for gadgets and gizmos aplenty. For example, camera doorbells are hugely popular security measures – but they can be met with a costly HOA fine.

‘One of my clients replaced the doorbell on their new town home with a security camera doorbell – but the HOA asked them to remove it because they had rules against recording video footage of other people's property,’ explains Andrew Fortune, realtor and brokerage owner at Great Colorado Homes.

He continues, ‘When they declined to remove the camera, the HOA fined them over $500. My clients received the rules of the HOA before buying the home, but they said there were so many rules that they never saw the rule about no video recording doorbells.’

If you do want to deter any unwanted intruders but your HOA won’t allow recording, the Philips door chime from Walmart has a clever decoy camera.

Prices were correct at the time of publication.

3. Garage doors staying open

For those who have garages, take this as your sign to make sure that your garage door is fully closed when you’re done with it.

‘I recently had a client who bought a town home for his son, who broke the garage door opener, which meant it wouldn't close,’ explains Andrew. ‘They got fined because the HOA rules say all garage doors must be closed at night within the complex. I had never heard of this rule until this event.’

Whether you have this rule in place or not in your area, making sure it’s shut is important for home safety reasons. You can improve this even further by installing a driveway door alarm, such as the Sueriy driveway alarm from Walmart, which can be installed on fences, walls, posts, and more.

4. Exterior paint colors

One of the most common HOA fines that people often forget to check for is exterior paint colors.

While many HOA contracts will include exact color requirements to keep the neighborhood looking uniform, many people fall foul of choosing what they think is the right shade and then getting into trouble.

Brett explains, ‘Even when simply repainting the same color, paint color approval may still be required. I have even experienced situations where homeowners have had to repaint because the shade or sheen was slightly off.’

Instead of buying a whole tin and this potentially going to waste, head to your favorite DIY store (The Home Depot is always a great option), and grab a sample to then show your HOA representative.

5. Not taking down Christmas lights

Putting up Christmas decor is always a special thing to do – so it’s understandable that you might want to keep the magic going all year round. However, some HOAs require Christmas lights to be taken down once the holidays are over.

‘I've had clients complain about getting HOA fines for not having their Christmas lights taken down in time,’ Andrew says. ‘This seems petty to me, but certain HOAs have strict rules on when you are allowed to have Christmas lights turned on.’

Andrew adds that some companies will sell year-round permanent outdoor LED lighting, but some neighborhoods won't allow the homeowner to turn those lights on outside of designated calendar times.

This is why it’s smart to choose Christmas lights that you can install yourself and take down easily when required. The TW Shine string lights from Amazon are waterproof, end-to-end extendable, and can also be used inside.

6. Improper drainage

If you’re renovating a house or just moving into one, it’s worth making sure that your drainage system is up to code.

‘Improper yard drainage from sump pumps, downspouts, or French drains can cause flooding or erosion on a neighbor’s property, leading to HOA intervention,’ explains Igor Bystrika, certified master plumber and owner of Rx-Plumbing and Drain.

He adds, ‘Some associations even prohibit certain DIY drainage solutions like above-ground drainpipes or gravel trenches.’

Igor recommends consulting a plumber as they can show you what your options are in your area and help you get the job done.

7. Unauthorized irrigation or sprinkler systems

Some HOAs regulate irrigation systems, including where they can be placed and how much water can be used.

‘Homeowners who install new sprinkler heads or add additional watering zones without HOA approval can face unexpected fines – surprising, I know!’ explains Igor. ‘Many homeowners have no idea this is even a requirement in their neighborhood until after the fact.'

Igor recommends checking your HOA rules and getting approval before modifying your irrigation system. ‘Using water-efficient drip irrigation can also help stay compliant,’ he adds.

This is one of the best DIY garden watering ideas to try at home, as many of them are easy to install – for example, the Carpathen drip irrigation system from Amazon doesn’t require any digging or plumbing skills.

8. Outdoor plants

Planting beautiful flowers and shrubs is one of the best backyard ideas for adding color and vibrancy to your space. However, some HOAs have rules on what you can actually put in the ground.

‘If you are thinking about creating a vegetable garden, or even if you want to plant some flowers in your yard for decoration, check with your HOA rules,’ says Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love.

‘Even if specific plants aren’t prohibited, there may be rules regarding care requirements, like keeping plants under a certain height,’ he adds. Make sure to have a pair of robust pruners handy, so you can stay on top of this – the Fiskars pruners from Walmart have precision-ground steel blades and low-friction coating.

9. Poor pool maintenance

Lucky enough to have a gorgeous pool to lounge around? Your HOA might require you to keep it looking pristine – even in the months that you’re not using it.

Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana says, ‘When homeowners have pools in their backyard, many HOAs view those as having higher risks for property damage if proper care is not taken of them, and as such they will often create rules that those homeowners have to follow in regard to taking care of their pools. This can include rules about how and when to clean their pools, what kind of pool covers to use, and more.’

Making sure you have a quality pool cleaner to hand will be useful for staying on top of maintenance. The VINGLI pool vacuum cleaner from Amazon is a bestseller on the site, thanks to its easy assembly and suction power.

10. Exposed plumbing lines

Many HOAs have strict rules about exposed plumbing lines, such as garden hoses left out or pipes visible on the exterior of the home.

‘Even a simple drain pipe from a water heater or sump pump that routes water to the yard can trigger a HOA fine if it's not properly concealed by bushes or a fence or directed to an approved drainage system,’ Igor Bystrika explains.

‘I always advise our customers to use hose enclosures to keep garden hoses tidy. For sump pumps or water heater drainage, running the line underground or into a designated drainage system can prevent fines,’ he continues.

If these pipes are on the side of the house but still visible from the street, simply planting a beautiful bush could also help conceal them.

Meet the experts

Brett Johnson

Brett owns New Era Home Buyers and is an active Colorado real estate investor and licensed Colorado real estate agent. He is a pro at renovating homes, so knows his way around avoiding HOA fines while doing this.

Andrew Fortune

Andrew owns real estate brokerage Great Colorado Homes and is a realtor in Colorado Springs. He has seen plenty of homeowners get hit with HOA fines that they never saw coming. 

Igor Bystrika

Igor Bystrika is the owner of RX-Plumbing and Drain. In his line of work, he often sees homeowners get hit with HOA fines for plumbing-related issues they didn’t even realize were violations

Steve Corcoran

Steve is the CEO of Lawn Love, which offers lawn mowing, fertilization, gutter cleaning, leaf removal, and more. Backyard plants and clean-up can be listed in HOA contracts, which is why Steve is clued up on what can come up.

Jeremy Yamaguchi

Jeremy is the CEO of Cabana, which is a premier pool service company. Pool maintenance is often in HOA contracts in communities that have these.

By making sure to read over your contract thoroughly and adhering to your HOA rules, you can avoid being hit with a fine.

Once you’ve checked the fine print, you can carry on sprucing up and looking after your home. Finding out spring home maintenance jobs and eco home improvement ideas will both come in useful.