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Homeowners association: what it means

A homeowners association (HOA) is the organization formed in many subdivisions and condominium buildings to manage shared expenses such as landscaping, a pool, maintenance of common areas and, in condos, the roof and exteriors. Each owner pays dues, normally monthly, and must follow its rules, which can cover anything from the color of your door to renting the home out.

In Spanish it is

Asociación de propietarios

Also written as: HOA dues · condo association · HOA fees

Verified on October 16, 2026

1 official source

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The full explanation

If you do not pay, the association can add charges and, in several states, place a lien on your home. The dues count toward your monthly payment when lenders judge whether you can afford the mortgage.

An example

The condo Patricia likes has high HOA dues. Added to her mortgage, the total payment exceeds what her lender accepts, so she looks at another option.

You will see it in…

The purchase contract and the association's documents (CC&Rs, rules, budget)
The Loan Estimate, under “Estimated Taxes, Insurance & Assessments”
Our mortgage calculator, under “Taxes, insurance and other costs”

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

More guides that use “homeowners association”

Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

What a housing counselor does See free help

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

1. CFPB · Mortgages key terms: homeowners' association (HOA) (external site) · in English · Verified on October 16, 2026