How Homeowner’s Associations Affect Moving

Is your HOA blocking your move?

Homeowner’s associations (HOA) control entire neighborhoods. They make the rules that the people in the neighborhood have to follow. This often includes restrictions on how, when and with what you can move. Non-compliance can lead to fees and other penalties.

While most HOA rules are sound, some can hamper moving. Here’s how to handle an HOA that is preventing you from making a smooth move:

Check the Rules

All HOAs have their own rules. Check your particular HOA’s rules, which should have been provided to you when you were deciding whether to move in. If there was a change in the rules, the new rules should have been provided as well.

Check the rules to see if they say anything about moving. Some things an HOA might restrict include:

• The times of day you can move out/in
• How large of a moving truck you can use
• Where the moving truck can be parked

If there is a rule on point, read it a couple times so that you understand it. If it ruins your moving plans, it’s time to see if you can get around it.

Confirm with the Association

Once you have a firm grasp of the HOA rules, contact the HOA to see if you can proceed with your intended move.  If the HOA says that you can’t due to the rules, it’s time to file an appeal.

Get Neighbors on Your Side

An HOA’s goal is to keep a neighborhood content by making and enforcing rules that all (or most) of the neighbors want. If your immediate neighbors wouldn’t be bothered by you moving in a way that breaks an HOA rule, then you have a good argument that it shouldn’t apply.

For example, if the HOA says you can’t move on weekday evenings, see if your neighbors would be bothered if you did.  Chances are they would not be.

Talk to your neighbors who would be affected by your move, and see if they’ll support you moving in that way.

File an Appeal

If you want to challenge the rule or how it applies to you, follow the appeals process set forth in your HOA agreement.  Then make your case, including citing your neighbors.  There’s a good chance the HOA would let you move as intended after presented with a well-put appeal.  If they do not, your last avenue is the court system, but it would probably be easier to change the way you intend to move instead.

HOAs aren’t the only thing that can hamper a move. What you need to move can make moving more difficult as well.