Common Area
Also known as: Common Elements, General Common Elements
Property owned and maintained by the association for the shared use and benefit of all members. Common areas may include lobbies, hallways, parking structures, pools, parks, landscaped areas, and recreation facilities. All homeowners share in the cost of maintaining common areas through their assessments. The declaration defines what constitutes common area in each community.
Example in Context
The community pool, lobby, and parking garage are all common areas maintained by the association using assessment funds collected from every homeowner.
Common Misunderstanding
Homeowners sometimes believe they can make changes to common areas near their unit, but only the association has the authority to alter or improve common area property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays for common area repairs in an HOA?
All homeowners share in the cost of maintaining and repairing common areas through their regular assessments. Major repairs or replacements are typically funded from the reserve fund, while routine maintenance comes from the operating budget. Individual homeowners are not billed separately for common area repairs unless a special assessment is levied.