Condos and HOAs, explained in plain English.
Straight answers to the condo and HOA questions buyers and owners actually search for: definitions, comparisons, fees and rules.
Browse by topic
HOA Basics
What an HOA is, how it works, and how it differs from a COA, POA or PUD.
66 guides →
Fees & Assessments
What dues cover, why they go up, and how special assessments work.
57 guides →
Board & Governance
Bylaws, covenants, meetings, quorum, and what a board can and cannot do.
52 guides →
Rules & Enforcement
What an HOA can require, how fines work, and what to do about a violation notice.
34 guides →
Disputes & Legal
Fines, liens, foreclosure, and what to do when you disagree with your HOA.
29 guides →
HOA Laws by State
State rules for California, Florida, Texas, Washington and more.
6 guides →
Living in a Condo or HOA
Renting, management companies and day-to-day life in a managed community.
32 guides →
Buying
What to check before you buy a condo or a home in an HOA.
2 guides →
Approval & Insurance
Condo approval questionnaires and the insurance an association carries.
7 guides →
Condo Basics
What a condo is, and how a condominium differs from other homes.
1 guide →
Condo Comparisons
Condo vs townhouse and other side-by-side comparisons.
2 guides →
Start with the basics
What is an HOA?
What is a condo?
Condo vs townhouse
What do HOA fees cover?
HOA laws by state
HOA and condo rules differ by state: notice periods, fine limits, reserve requirements and owner rights. Start with a state guide.
Most read
- What is a quorum?
- What is an HOA fee?
- What is a condo?
- Condo vs townhouse
- HOA board member responsibilities
- Special assessments in an HOA
How we research
Every guide starts from the primary source, such as the statute or the official dataset, and says where it came from. Read our editorial policy, how we research, or how we handle corrections.