A homeowners’ association (HOA) is an organization created to manage a multi-unit residential real estate development (such as a condominium) in which each owner of a unit has both a separate ownership interest (often everything inside the front door)—and a common ownership interest (with other unit owners) in the common areas of the property outside the front door—such as roofs, hallways, driveways, walkways, stairways, stucco, brick, paint, stone, and landscaping.
Homeowners’ associations are often created by a document known as the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (declaration or CC&Rs) or a similar document that is filed in the local (county) records by the developer of the property.
Homeowners’ associations are generally governed by a board of directors (board), elected by the homeowners as provided by the HOA’s declaration and bylaws. Unit owners or homeowners in the association are required to pay monthly HOA dues for the maintenance and repair of the common areas of the property and its insurance.