In this video we talk about homeowner association fees, who pays them, how
often, and if you actually have to pay if you don't use any of the facilities.
That's coming right up.
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little notification bell so you don't miss anything. So today i'm joined by
Heather Cockerline, community experienced lead with Brookfield
Residential, and today we're talking about homeowner association fees. So
I'm sure it's your favorite topic—
—Yeah.
So can you can you let me know what exactly
is included in a homeowner's association fee? So like what does it cover?
So the fees that you would pay would
cover things such as taking care of the
facility if there is one within the
community the staff that take care of
the facility, upkeep, maintenance,
including in and around the entire
community so whether that's mowing or
snow removal—
—That's not mowing your
—Not your yard, that's extra but seasonal
lighting, all of those types of things would
be included in your fee. Also different
events, some programs would be included
in that, and then if there's not a
facility then it would just strictly include enhanced maintenance, all the
other things that I just mentioned.
- So like when you say programs or—
things like festival light—
- Or Stampede breakfast. So for instance right now we're in the Cranston
homeowners association, they have an amazing breakfast that they do every
year for Stampede and that would be included. So you would come with your—
with your family to that event.
- Do all residents pay a homeowner association fee?
- Yes they do.
And when you say residents, obviously people who would live
in the community and people who— how about tenants?
Same thing?
- Well tenants, it depends on what their
arrangements are with the people that they're renting from but it is on the
responsibility of the condo owner to make sure that their account is in good
standing so that their tenants would be able to utilize any facilities that we have.
- You mentioned not just condo owner or like any resident?
- Any resident, that's right.
- And do you know how are they collected, and how often?
- So once a year you'll get an invoice in the mail that can be paid for
by going to the HOA facility if there is one. If not, there's an online payment
arrangement that you can make but again that's something that you would want to
speak to your individual HOA association to find out what the best way to do that is.
- And remember if you want to know more about homeowners associations, watch
out video above and in the description below. Is there a difference between a
homeowner association for condos or single-family homeowner associations?
Or kind of all the same?
- No it's the same. So anybody living in the community would
benefit from the perks of living in a community that has a homeowner's
association so whether you're in single-family or a condo and all things
are open for the entire community.
- Great. And are homeowner association fees negotiable?
- No they are not. So there's an encumbrance set on
your individual title and that's done through the planning process of
creating that community.
- And in your opinion, what's the average homeowner association?
- So they do vary depending on what the size of the community is and
what's involved. Whether it's just—if it's a small community or if it's a very
large community with something like a lake. The rates do vary so I would say on
average they run from one hundred to five hundred dollars a year.
Not per month, a year.
- Let's say I don't use anything, I don't—either I don't like it
or it's just like, it's just not in my lifestyle, what happens if I don't use
any of the facilities, any of the amenities, do I still have to pay the HOA fee and
why would I have to pay that?
So yes, you do still have to pay the HOA fee but you
need to think of it as not just the events that maybe are happening in a
community or going to use a tennis court, but we get back to being pride of
ownership. So your fees go towards everything that's happening within the
community and so for a lot of us maybe that's only say thirty bucks a month. If
we you know, if you really break it down and so to me that's three coffees really
right, to make sure that you have pride of ownership when your friends and your
family come to visit you and your community but what we would encourage is
that if there's something that isn't happening through your HOA,
bring that up you know. Go to the AGM or just go to the facility and ask for
the events that you want or ask for the games or whatever it is that you're
looking for that would help create that sense of community or sense of belonging
for you. Let us know and we will try and implement it as much as we can.
- One thing
I wanted to ask in terms of maybe maybe not related to fees, but let's say you
wanted a new activity in the community and let's say—let's just say for example
the community doesn't offer hockey right and you want to put together like a
drop-in hockey activity Monday nights, how do you—how would you go about
doing that in a homeowner's association?
- So it's really easy you would just talk to
the facilitator, find out is the ice rented on that day
is it not, and try and work it out that way.
- Okay cool.
In terms of fees, so what happens if you don't pay?
- If you don't pay, then your
account does go into delinquency and then we would hope that you would pay
within within the next 30 to 60 days. If that doesn't happen there is the risk
that you can be sent to collections to collect the funds.
- Got it. But the fees usually
it's pretty reasonable, it's not—
- So minimal, yeah exactly. So as we were just
saying it's we're ranging from $100 to $500 a year and so when you look at it
that way, it should be pretty manageable for almost every person in the community.
- Perfect. Do you have anything to add in terms of
homeowner association fees?
- Nothing on the fees. I just—I think that if you want to find out ways for
you to enjoy your community or your HOA a little bit more then feel free to
bring your ideas for it, everybody's always excited to find new and exciting
things to do.
- Great. So the question of the day I have for you is, do you pay a
homeowner association fee and what benefits have you gathered from it? Let
us know in the comment section below. And remember, if you enjoyed this video
or found it helpful, hit the thumbs up button, remember to
comment and remember to subscribe. Thank you and we'll catch you next time.
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