What Repairs are HOAs Responsible For?

Introduction to HOA Responsibilities in San Diego

When you purchase a home in a San Diego HOA community, you agree to follow the covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) set forth. The CC&Rs outline the rules for the community and what aspects the HOA will handle. Generally, HOAs in San Diego are responsible for managing and maintaining the common areas and amenities of the community.

This usually includes:

• Landscaping of common areas

• Repairs and maintenance of amenities like pools, clubhouses, tennis courts, etc.

• Snow removal on common streets and sidewalks (in eastern San Diego County areas that get snow)

• Exterior maintenance of condos and townhomes

On the other hand, individual homeowners are responsible for maintaining everything within their property’s boundaries. This generally includes:

• Interior maintenance and repairs

• Exterior maintenance of single-family homes

• Landscaping maintenance on private property

• Utility repairs from the point they enter your home

To determine whether you or the HOA are responsible for a particular repair or maintenance issue in San Diego, you’ll need to consult your community’s specific CC&Rs. Now let’s dive deeper into common HOA maintenance responsibilities in the San Diego region.

HOA Responsibilities for Exterior Areas in San Diego

One of the main responsibilities of HOAs in San Diego is maintaining the exterior common areas that create the aesthetic for the community. This section will cover what aspects of the exterior an HOA is usually responsible for in the San Diego area.

Landscaping in San Diego HOAs

A huge appeal of HOA communities in San Diego is that they maintain a consistent aesthetic and landscaping is a big part of that. The HOA will typically handle landscaping needs for:

• Common areas like neighborhood entrances, parks, ponds, etc.

• Planting strips between the sidewalk and street

• Medians and islands in roads and parking lots

They usually hire professional landscaping companies to mow, trim, weed, plant flowers, apply fertilizer, and more on a regular schedule. Proper landscaping maintenance keeps San Diego HOA communities looking neat and tidy.

Some HOAs in the San Diego region even cover landscaping maintenance on homeowners’ private property. The CC&Rs will specify what landscaping aspects the HOA handles and what you as the owner are expected to do. For example, the HOA may plant flowers and mulch the front yard beds but you’re responsible for mowing and weeding.

Roads and Sidewalks in San Diego HOAs

HOAs in San Diego are tasked with maintaining shared roads and sidewalks within the community. This includes:

• Sweeping

• Sealing cracks

• Repaving as needed

• Replacing damaged sidewalk sections

• Snow and ice removal (in eastern San Diego County areas)

Proper road maintenance is crucial for safety and accessibility. Snow and ice removal during winter is also critical to allow San Diego residents to navigate the neighborhood safely.

Having the HOA handle road, curb, and sidewalk maintenance alleviates the burden from individual homeowners. It ensures a consistent level of quality throughout the San Diego community.

Exterior Painting and Staining

For condos, townhomes, and other attached housing with shared walls in San Diego, the HOA will typically paint or stain the exterior surfaces on a routine schedule. This includes siding, trim, decks, fences, doors, and more.

A fresh coat of paint or stain keeps San Diego HOA communities looking updated, clean, and appealing. It’s much more efficient for the HOA to manage exterior painting for attached structures than leaving it up to individual owners.

For single-family homes, the homeowner is generally responsible for exterior painting themselves. The CC&Rs may specify approved paint colors to maintain consistency.

Exterior Repairs in San Diego HOAs

In addition to routine maintenance, HOAs in San Diego are also responsible for making necessary repairs to the exterior of common areas and attached housing structures. For example, they must fix:

• Damaged siding, trim, and masonry

• Rotting decks and railings

• Leaky roofs

• Broken windows and doors

• Fence repairs

• Shed and gazebo repairs

 

Making timely exterior repairs is critical for protection against the elements, security, and aesthetics. If attached homes in San Diego aren’t properly maintained, it negatively affects the entire community’s curb appeal and property values.

Having the HOA handle external repairs takes the burden off individual owners. It ensures issues get addressed promptly by professionals and provides homeowners predictability over maintenance costs.

Amenities Maintenance & Repairs in San Diego HOAs

One of the main perks of HOA communities in San Diego are shared amenities like pools, clubhouses, parks, tennis courts, playgrounds, etc. The HOA is responsible for repairs, maintenance, and regular improvements to keep these facilities in good working order.

Some examples of amenity maintenance and repairs an HOA in San Diego may handle include:

• Pool repairs – filtration systems, tile/coping repairs, resurfacing, etc.

• Clubhouse repairs – appliances, fixtures, flooring, HVAC, etc.

• Playground equipment repairs and replacement

• Tennis court resurfacing

• Sports field maintenance – mowing, aeration, irrigation, etc.

• Pressure washing and painting of amenities

• Janitorial cleaning

Proper maintenance ensures these shared amenities in San Diego HOAs can be enjoyed to their fullest and provide appeal to the community. It protects the HOA’s significant investments into these facilities. Having a budget and plan for ongoing repairs and eventual replacement is critical.

 

HOA Maintenance for Utilities and Infrastructure in San Diego

While individual homeowners are responsible for utility repairs from the point they enter the home, the HOA handles community utilities and infrastructure. For example:

• Sewer/Septic System – Maintenance, inspections and repairs to community sewer and septic systems.

• Water Mains and Hydrant – Repairs to community water mains, valves, and fire hydrants.

• Storm Drains and Gutters – Keeping storm drains, street gutters, and drainage systems clear of debris. Repairs to street storm drain covers and downspouts.

• Irrigation System – Maintenance, blowouts, activations, repairs and upgrades to community irrigation systems.

• Street Lighting – Bulb replacements, photosensor repairs, wiring issues, and pole repairs for street lights.

 

Maintaining shared infrastructure keeps essential utilities functioning properly throughout the San Diego development. It ensures clean, reliable water and proper drainage. Proper lighting provides security and visibility for residents at night.

HOA Responsibilities for Buildings, Walls and Fencing in San Diego

In condo and townhome communities in San Diego, the HOA is responsible for maintenance and repairs to exterior structures like:

• Shared wall : Drywall, plumbing, electrical repairs
• Roof: Shingle replacement, structural repairs, drainage system maintenance
• Siding and trim: Patching holes, painting, replacement

• Windows and doors: Recaulking, replacing broken glass, weatherstripping

• Perimeter fencing/wall: Repainting, replacing broken boards, hole patching

• Monument signs: Lighting, repainting, replacing broken pieces

• Guard houses: Utilities, repairs, staffing

• Mailboxes: Repainting, individual mailbox repair

For single-family homes, homeowners are responsible for their home’s exterior maintenance and repairs. But the HOA maintains:

 

Proper building and fencing maintenance provides security, directs traffic, enhances aesthetics, and adds value. For attached housing in San Diego, having the HOA manages exterior maintenance ensures consistency and protects home values.

Interior Maintenance and Repairs in San Diego HOAs

While HOAs in San Diego handle a wide array of exterior responsibilities, nearly all interior maintenance and repairs are the homeowner’s responsibility. Interior items under the homeowner’s domain generally include:

• Flooring

• Appliances

• Plumbing fixtures

• Electrical systems

• HVAC systems

• Drywall

• Interior doors

• Cabinetry

• Painting

• Caulking/weatherstripping

For attached housing in San Diego, homeowners may also be responsible for:

• Shared wall repairs like drywall patching, paint, etc.

• Repairs to pipes, wiring, vents, etc. running through walls

 

Consult your CC&Rs to see what interior repairs you are responsible for as the homeowner. Some items like shared walls in San Diego condos or townhomes may fall to the HOA. But generally, you handle your home’s interior maintenance and repairs.

The only exceptions are if an interior issue affects other units or common areas. For example, a leaky pipe that damages your neighbor’s ceiling would likely fall under the HOA’s responsibility to repair.

HOA Maintenance Responsibilities Summary in San Diego

We’ve covered many repairs and responsibilities that commonly fall under HOAs in San Diego. To quickly recap:

HOA maintenance responsibilities in San Diego generally include:

 

• Landscaping of common areas

• Road, sidewalk, and parking lot maintenance

• Exterior painting of attached housing

• Amenity and recreation facility repairs

• Utility infrastructure and drainage systems

• Shared walls, roofs, and exteriors of condos/townhomes

• Perimeter fencing and walls

Homeowners in San Diego HOAs are usually responsible for:

 

• Interior repairs and maintenance

• Exterior maintenance of single-family homes

• Landscaping on private property

• Utility repairs from point they enter home

But the HOA’s specific maintenance obligations are outlined in your San Diego community’s CC&Rs. Be sure to reference them if you have any doubts over who is responsible for a repair.

The HOA board or management company can also help clarify responsibilities. With both parties properly maintaining their areas, your San Diego HOA community can thrive.

Steps to Take for an HOA Assessment Repair in San Diego

If the HOA is responsible for a repair per your CC&Rs, there is a process to get it addressed in San Diego. Here are some steps to take:

• Document the issue – Take photos and create a record of the problem that you can submit.

• Determine it’s the HOA’s responsibility – Check your CC&Rs to confirm it falls under their scope.

• Contact HOA management – Email or call the San Diego property manager or board to report the issue.
• Follow up – Check in periodically if there is a delay in addressing the problem.
• Attend HOA meetings – Raise the issue during the homeowner forum if needed.
• Contact HOA board members – Reach out to board members directly if you’re not getting resolution.
• Consult an HOA attorney – If the San Diego HOA refuses to fix their responsibility, an attorney can assist.

 

With patience and persistence, you can get the HOA to fix issues that fall under their purview in San Diego. If communications break down, legal counsel may be able to resolve the situation.

What If the HOA Does Not Fix a Problem in San Diego?

Most HOAs in San Diego will address repairs and maintenance they are responsible for in a timely manner. But occasionally an HOA may delay addressing an issue or refuse to fix problems. Some reasons HOAs don’t make repairs may include:

• Lack of funds – The HOA doesn’t have sufficient reserves for large repairs. Special assessments to raise funds can help.

• Poor planning – The HOA failed to budget appropriately for long-term maintenance costs.

• Disagreement over responsibility – The San Diego board doesn’t agree certain repairs are the HOA’s obligation.

• Board disputes – Poor leadership results in infighting and delayed repairs.

If your San Diego HOA is unresponsive, here are some steps owners can take:

• Attend meetings and voice concerns

• Band together with other owners and petition

• Vote for more active board members

• Consult an HOA attorney for next steps

• File a complaint with the California HOA regulator

 

As a last resort, you may need to sue the HOA to compel them to fix issues in San Diego. But most problems can be resolved through active engagement before getting to that point.

Preparing for Repairs as a Homeowner in San Diego

While your HOA covers many exterior repairs, it’s wise as a San Diego homeowner to financially prepare for issues that may arise. With this in mind, set aside emergency funds in case you need to pay for:

• HVAC repairs or replacement

• Plumbing leaks or sewer line repairs

• Electrical issues

• Appliance replacement

• Drywall/flooring repairs from water damage

Also, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for the interior and your personal belongings. Your HOA’s master policy does not cover individual homes in San Diego.

Being proactive allows you to tackle unexpected issues quickly rather than waiting on the HOA’s response. This prevents further home damage and lets you restore your comfort faster.

Conclusion…

 

If your HOA is looking for a reliable maintenance provider to meet all your community’s repair and upkeep needs, contact Octo Property Services today. We offer free estimates, so you can see firsthand how our experienced team can handle any maintenance or improvement project your association needs. We’re confident you’ll be impressed by what Octo can do for your HOA.