The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Living in an Association Managed Community

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Living in an Association Managed Community

Americans love to complain about homeowners’ associations. Yet, the fact is more and more of us are buying homes in managed communities than ever before. We may complain about restrictions when they affect us, but when our neighbor wants a purple mailbox, it is nice to have someone else take care of the problem.

Here are some good, bad, and ugly situations when it comes to homeowners’ associations.

The Good

Homeowners’ Associations are charged with operating in the best interest of the homeowners’ in the community. This is good, in that one or two homeowners shouldn’t be allowed to maintain their properties in a way that negatively impacts other owners. Associations maintain common areas, which is also good. They can prevent direct confrontations with neighbors who may disagree about the rules. The Association serves as judge and jury. This is perfect for non-aggressive people and even for those that may be passive-aggressive. Have a complaint about a neighbor’s pet, partying, vehicle or artwork in their front yard? File a complaint and let the Association deal with it. That’s Good. Unless, of course, Cousin Eddy wants to park his recreational vehicle in your driveway for a week. Although, that too, could be good.

The Bad

On the negative side, Association’s charge a fee to maintain compliance with the community’s covenants and, in fact, to tell you what you can or can’t do with or on your property. This can be fine until you find out flying your college banner on your garage during football Saturday is a violation. Living in an Association can create an atmosphere of compliance that may seem restrictive or unfriendly. That’s Bad.

The Ugly

Yes, living in an association managed community can get ugly, especially where covenants are restrictive or rules are not clear. If you install fencing that is off-white as opposed to white, you could face serious consequences. Be aware that associations have the power to levy fines and may even be able to file a lien on your property if you don’t comply with their wishes. There are plenty of examples when living in an Association Managed community has gotten ugly.

The Key

The key is knowing what is expected of you and deciding if you can comply with those rules. Good, bad or ugly.

The goal of associations should be to protect your interest, much like the goal of home insurance. When you pay your homeowners’ insurance premiums, you protect your property from a variety of issues like fires, storms, vandalism, theft and more. You are even protecting yourself from liability claims should a person injure themselves on your property.

If you don’t know the limits of your homeowners’ insurance policy or if you would be covered in the event of a problem, the time to find out is now. Contact us for a no-obligation home insurance review.


Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder

Search All Blogs

Generic filters

Buzz Your
Insurance Agent

Search for a local agent with our agent finder map.

Agent Finder

Want to learn more about our blog writer?

Read more about KayLynn's background.

Click Here

Search All Blogs

Generic filters

Read More Blogs

The October Home Check-Up: Securing Your Home for the Fall Season

A guide to fall home maintenance and home insurance review for the month of October.

The Wanderer’s Playbook: The Art of Traveling on a Budget

A practical guide to finding and saving money on travel adventures.

The Entrepreneur’s Toolkit: From Startup to Success, Insuring Every Step of the Journey

A phase-by-phase guide for entrepreneurs on the essential business insurance policies they need.

Beyond a Payout: How Life Insurance is a Living Financial Tool

A guide to how life insurance can be a living financial tool, with a focus on its cash value component.

The Driver’s Playbook: How to Maximize Your Auto Insurance Benefits

A playbook for drivers, revealing key policy benefits and strategies to get the most from your auto insurance.

Beyond the Big House: Uncovering the Hidden Value in Home Insurance

A deep dive into the valuable but often overlooked components of a home insurance policy.

The Thrill of the Grill: A Masterclass in BBQ Perfection

An ultimate guide to mastering grilling and barbecue, with tips, techniques, and delicious recipes.

The Entrepreneur’s Armor: A Guide to Protecting Your Business

A crucial guide to business insurance, covering essential policies and strategies for entrepreneurs.

The Gift of Security: A Simple Guide to Life Insurance

An easy-to-understand guide to life insurance, explaining policy types and a simple way to calculate your needs.

Hitting the Road Safely: Understanding Your Auto Insurance Policy

A simple guide to auto insurance, explaining coverage, premiums, and tips for finding the best policy.