Some Endure While Others Extol the Association-Run Lifestyle
When Tina Ohmstede moved into a gated condominium complex in Redondo Beach almost four years ago, she had never lived in a community association before.
“I was shocked to find out that certain rules are strictly observed,” said Ohmstede, who recalled an occasion when a friend and her 3-year-old daughter came to visit.
“My friend announced her arrival by giving a little honk on the car horn, and her little girl yelled for us in a cute little-girl voice. I thought nothing of it until a week later when I got a letter from the association board saying that honking or calling to people from the guest parking is against the rules,” Ohmstede said. “I’ve become more vigilant now. When visitors come and begin to talk loudly, I ask them to quiet down.”
Common interest developments (CIDs) are located in many types of neighborhoods, from single-family homes to townhouses and condominiums. They all allow individual owners the use of common property and facilities in exchange for following the rules and paying required monthly dues. These developments have self-governing systems with a board overseeing the association’s operations. Some associations hire management companies for day-to-day operations, while others rely on volunteer managers.
For some homeowners, associations are viewed as an advantage, a convenient way to keep order in the community and prevent what they consider to be potential chaos, such as motor homes languishing in driveways and oddly painted units. More independent and creative souls, however, find the rules too restrictive.
Popularity of Associations in Southern California
Like them or not, associations have become a part of life for much of Southern California. Virtually every new development has an association, and there are more than 34,000 in California alone, according to the California Department of Real Estate. One in four Californians lives in a CID, and in Orange County, the figure is even higher—more than 50%.
Homeowner associations grew quickly in the late 1970s as land availability diminished. The passage of Proposition 13, a 1978 measure that slashed property taxes, also resulted in more limited public funding for parks, swimming pools, and other components of residential communities. Developers began adding amenities like swimming pools and clubhouses to their developments and forming associations to oversee their maintenance.
Living the CID Lifestyle
“Living in an association is a lifestyle choice,” said Karen Conlon, president of the California Assn. of Community Managers. “You gain access to common amenities you might normally not be able to afford to build yourself—such as pools, parks, tennis courts, and lakes. But to enjoy these amenities, you must agree to abide by certain standards and rules. Complications arise when homeowners don’t truly understand the association’s plan documents before they buy.”
The governing document, known as the Declaration of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), contains the ground rules for the operation of each association. This document identifies common areas and responsibilities, lists rules residents must abide by, and mandates the collection of dues.
“You have a contractual obligation between yourself and the association to pay your dues,” Conlon said. “They are like a mortgage payment. The association has the authority to lien and eventually foreclose on your home if you don’t pay.”
Challenges in Association Life
For Amy Dee, moving into an Anaheim condominium required a major adjustment in attitude. “It was a very humbling experience when I realized that I had to comply with a greater power regarding the exterior of my home,” she said. “If you’re a creative person who likes to do your own thing, association life can be tough. My ego took a few bumps and bruises.”
One of Dee’s challenges was with her mailbox. “We have exterior mailboxes, but I was concerned about my mail getting stolen, so I put a mail slot in my door,” she said. “The rules say that all of the mailboxes must match. When they came by for a routine inspection, they spotted [it], and I had to remove it.”
Another issue was with a satellite dish. Dee had broken a rule by installing the dish on her patio roof. “The association fined me $100 a month for the infraction,” she said. After negotiating with the board, she was allowed to paint the wires an acceptable color. The rules were eventually changed to allow satellite dishes on patio covers due to similar issues with other homeowners.
Perks of Association Life
If you’re in the majority, things can run smoothly in an association community, said Jason Weissberg, who lives in a single-family home in Tustin Ranch. “If you’re not part of the majority, however, you’re out of luck,” he said. “We found that out when we voted to increase the size of the swimming pool and lost. Not enough families found it important.”
Despite restrictions, Weissberg agrees with the belief that rules improve the quality of life. “I much prefer living in a community where everything is well cared for,” said Christopher Ruffalo of Tustin Ranch, a member of the association board.
Some individuals seek out association life for its neat, consistent lifestyle. “I grew up in a neighborhood where there was trash all over the place,” Ruffalo added. “I much prefer living in a community where everything is well cared for.”
Becoming a Board Member
Individuals with the energy and determination to make changes in an association can become board members, which is an elected volunteer position. “I wanted to be a part of the betterment of the community, get to know my neighbors, and find out about changes before they occur,” said Ruffalo.
However, not all board members share the same enthusiasm. Bill Kelley of Anaheim Hills had a different experience when he was a board member. “The trouble begins when you have militant people on the board with unreasonable ideas,” he said.
Benefits and Drawbacks of the Association Lifestyle
Though the rules may seem nitpicky at times, they can also work in your favor, as Ohmstede found when she called her neighbor to enforce the pool closing rules late at night.
Points to Consider
- Do you like the idea of abiding by rules that dictate how the exterior of your home looks?
- Check out the association’s CC&Rs. Do they seem reasonable?
- Are you comfortable living in close proximity to your neighbors?
- Can you afford the dues?
- How does the board resolve disputes?
- Talk to existing residents about the association.
For more information, visit the California Assn. of Community Managers website.
Julie Bawden-Davis is a freelance writer who lives in Orange.
