As a property owner, renovating a rental property can be exciting. You get to add fresh paint, modern fixtures, and a kitchen upgrade. However, things get a bit trickier if your property falls under a Homeowners Association (HOA).
You can’t knock down a wall or install new windows without running it by the HOA, since you can get violations or fines while undoing the hard work.
Understanding your HOA’s renovation rules is vital if you’re sprucing up a unit between tenants or making long-term improvements. From required approvals to the types of changes that often raise red flags, this post will break down HOA renovation guidelines for landlords in simple terms. This is to ensure your next renovation project and the HOA’s good side stay on track.
What Renovations Require Approval?
- Exterior Home Modification
When planning to update the outside of your rental property, it’s easy to assume you can jump right in. However, you might have to hold on. Most HOAs require formal approval for exterior home modifications. This includes things such as repainting the exterior, replacing windows or doors, installing a new roof, or adding features like a deck, patio, or fencing. Even planning to swap out your light fixtures or mailboxes could be an issue if they don’t match community standards.
The thing is that most HOAs want to maintain a uniform look across the neighbourhood. So, before picking up that hammer or hiring a contractor, you should check your HOA’s guidelines and submit the necessary applications. Bay Property Management Group Philadelphia HOA recommends submitting a formal request with details of your renovation plans. It might take a bit more time, but it can save you from costly fines and do-overs down the line.
- Landscaping Changes
You may think landscaping is small fry, but to an HOA, even transplanting a tree or changing your lawn design can mean trouble. They will most likely want consistent aesthetics for the community, and they will likely have a plan on what you do or do not plant, where, and what the potential size can be.
If you are thinking of converting grass to gravel or putting in a flowerbed, you will most likely have to submit a plan for prior approval. Even something you think is no big deal, like taking a tree down, could be an issue if it impacts drainage, shade, or appearance. Always check HOA rules first because your HOA sees disruption while you see beauty, and with the cost of renovation skyrocketing, it’s best to avoid mistakes.
HOA Renovation Guidelines
- Seeking Approval First
First, before taking a hammer to something or calling a contractor, check with your HOA what their requirements are. Although it may seem relatively minor to you, perhaps you don’t consider it material, like swapping out a front door or upgrading a patio, it may still require written approval from the board. Skipping that approval may risk fines, stop-work orders, or you may have to remove work you have already completed. The approval process generally includes going to a board meeting and submitting plans, and sometimes photos. It may seem like a hassle, and it is more fun when you do it your way, but it’s better than explaining to the board next month.
- Understand the Rules
For HOA renovation guidelines, learning your HOA’s rules is important because knowing the rules can eliminate quite a few headaches later. Every HOA operates under its own documents, called CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions), which contain the renovation guidelines. Usually, these rules clearly identify a particular type of change – what will and won’t be accepted, what may need further approval, and what is completely off-limits.
For example, some HOAs will not permit the owner to change the colour of the exterior paint, while others will have detailed specs when it comes to fences, windows, or even mailboxes. It can be dry reading, but reading it on the front end is worth it! If there is anything that is unclear to you, you can always contact the HOA board or property manager. Taking the time to understand the rules up front will save you a lot of aggravation down the road.
- Keep your Tenants Informed
Keeping your tenants informed can spare you an enormous amount of time and hassle. If you have a property that is subject to an HOA, your tenants need to be aware of the restrictions and expectations related to any renovations or minor changes to the property. Perhaps your tenant wants to hang string lights on the balcony, or plant a flower box or small garden. While these activities may seem harmless, you may want to exercise caution if the HOA prohibits these types of changes, as there may be fines for HOA violations.
Including a brief HOA overview as part of the lease or welcome packet can help ensure tenants are aware of the changes allowed in the property. Consider also informing the tenants about noise prohibitions or limits on exterior decoration, or informing them about plans for renovations. The more you are able to clear up on the front-end, the fewer surprises you will have in terms of complaints or violations. In the end, managing your property will increasingly become easier once you are both working from the same place.
How to Request Renovation Approval with Your HOA?
Requesting renovation approval from your HOA may seem like a series of hurdles, but it does not have to be so painful. The first thing you should do is not start work until you have verified the rules. Find your HOA’s CC&Rs or design guidelines, which are typically available online or in your HOA office. These documents typically outline what is allowed and what is not for your renovations. You will be able to prepare a more comprehensive request proposal after reviewing the HOA CC&Rs or design guidelines. A formal request proposal typically includes drawings, materials, contractor information, and a timeline. Then, you can submit your request for approval to the architectural review committee or the HOA board. Most HOA communities will either have a standard application or a portal for you to submit the application for the renovations.
Therefore, be prepared to wait for your request to be approved or denied, but just be patient. Notice if the architectural review committee or the HOA board meets weekly, monthly, or on another schedule. The approval process can take from a few days to weeks, and in one case, it might have taken months. If you do not hear from the board when you expected to, you can politely follow up with the board and be willing to revise your project to meet their requirements. Take a big picture approach as much as you can. Keep in mind that your overall objective is to improve your property and maintain a relationship with those who help to preserve the value of your property.
Final Thought
Renovating your rental property when you have an HOA doesn’t have to feel like you’re tiptoeing through a minefield. It just means holding yourself to a little more conditional planning and clearer communication on the front end. Understanding the defining characteristics of whether or not you are allowed to make changes to your property, if approvals are required, and keeping your tenants in the loop will lessen the likelihood of costly fines and unnecessary drama for everyone involved.
As a property owner, you want to make improvements to the property you own and still run things smoothly under the guidelines of your HOA. By following the right steps, you can complete those upgrades with ease and keep everyone on the same page.
