How Homeowners Associations Are Referred to Around the World

Common-interest communities are becoming a popular way of living. They are housing developments made up of individually owned units and share facilities or common areas (such as roads, clubhouse, pool, etc.). “Community association” is a generic term that encompasses many names used around the world to describe common-interest housing. A few examples include:

• Common-interest community (CIC) is used by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
• Common-interest realty association (CIRA) is the term preferred by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
• Common-interest development (CID) is used by the California Department of Real Estate.
• Condominium association refers to units like apartments, townhouses or other private units that are part of a single structure or group of structures.
• Homeowners association (HOA) is often synonymous with “common-interest community” and usually describes a community of single-family homes.
• Property owners association (POA) can refer to a residential community or a group of offices or other non-residential property.
• Strata title is a term used in Australia, New Zealand, and British Columbia that describes individually owning part of a property, such as an apartment, and sharing ownership in the property’s common or public areas.
• In France and some parts of Quebec, condominiums are called copropriété divisée (divided co-property).
• The traditional term in Spanish-speaking countries for a common-interest community is propiedad horizontal.
• Condominio is the term used in Italy.

Regardless of the name, most community associations in the U.S. are incorporated and subject to state statutes that govern nonprofit corporations. Remember, membership in an association is not voluntary; you become a member when you purchase a home in the community and are typically required to pay HOA fees to cover things like exterior maintenance, janitorial service, landscaping, trash removal, reserve planning, utilities, security, recreation facilities, and more.

If you live in a common-interest development or are considering moving into one, be sure to read a copy of the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), as well as have a basic of understanding of the Bylaws and Rules & Regulations for your community homeowners association. Each common-interest development is a little different, and being informed ahead of time will make sure that the requirements and expectations are something you can live with.

If you have questions about a specific homeowner associations, request to speak with the HOA manager of the Association or a board member to get the answers you’re looking for.