What Do Residents Say About Living in a Homeowners Association?

For the eighth time in 15 years, Americans living in homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives say they’re overwhelmingly satisfied in their communities. They are expressing strong satisfaction with the HOA board members who govern their homeowners associations and the community managers who provide professional support.

The March 2020 survey affirms the findings of almost identical national surveys conducted in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. The 2020 survey was conducted by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research. The findings from the seven surveys are strikingly consistent and rarely vary a standard margin error for national, demographically representative surveys.

 *The following illustrations compare results from the eight surveys conducted since 2005. Totals may not equal 100 percent due to rounding and “don’t know” answers.

• By large majorities, most residents rate their overall community experience as positive or, at worst, neutral.
• They say their association board members serve the best interests of their communities.
• They say their community managers provide valuable support to residents and their associations.
• They support community association rules because they protect and enhance property values.

An estimated 54 million Americans live in some 274,000 homeowner associations, condominium communities, cooperatives and other planned developments.

Here is what community association residents say:

• 89% say they are on friendly terms with their association board.
  
  
• 89% say members of their elected governing board "absolutely" or "for the most part" serve the best interests of their communities.
  
  
• 62% of residents say their association assessments are "just the right amount" - or "too little."
  
  
• 70% of residents say their association should insist every homeowner pay assessments, involving attorneys only if delinquent accounts are not brought up to date after sufficient notification.
  
  
• 94% of residents say their  association's rules protect and enhance property values (71%) or have a neutral effect (23%); only 4% say the rules harm property values.
  
  
• 74% of residents say their community managers provide value and support to residents and their associations.

Results from almost identical national surveys conducted in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016,
2018, and 2020 are strikingly consistent, except 2020 saw an increase in three areas compared to
2018: overall experience, the role of the board, and perception of rules. Other results rarely vary a
standard margin of error for national, demographically representative surveys.

Best aspects of living in a community association

Average top responses from 2005-2020:

1. Clean/attractive neighborhood (21%)
2. Maintenance-free neighborhood (19%)
3. Safe neighborhood (15%)
4. Property values (11%)
5. Responsible neighbors (8%)

Worst aspects of living in a community association

Average top responses from 2005-2020:

1. Nothing bad (29%)
2. Restrictions on exterior home improvements (17%)
3. Paying dues (12%)
4. Dealing with neighbors/members (9%)
5. Restrictions on landscaping (8%)

The 2020 survey was conducted by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research.

Overall satisfaction has much to do with the attitude and professionalism of HOA board members and management toward issues and matters that concern the homeowner.

Do you think this is a clear reflection of resident satisfaction in your homeowners association?

If you know there’s room for improvement, but don’t know where to start, click below for a free evaluation of your Association.

Related Articles:

What’s So Great About Homeowners Associations?

Pros & Cons of Living in a Homeowner’s Association