Condo Associations: Should You Allow Condo Exterior Decoration?

Garden Gnome on a swing.“A hallmark of a shared ownership community is that you give up some of your rights for the good of the community,” said Ryan Poliakoff, one of the authors in New Neighborhoods: The Consumer’s Guide to Condominium, Co-Op and HOA Living. Unit owners are bound by the rules set by the condo association and enforced by the board, from what’s in their garden to types of holiday lighting. As that condo association board, it’s up to you to balance personal design choices of individual unit owners with the larger community. In this blog by H&K Condo Specialists, we look at the rules and decisions you’ll have to make when managing condo exterior decoration.

Understanding Condo Rules and Regulations

When a Condo Association or other kind of HOA (Home Owners Association) is founded, they usually develop several sets of rules. The two most important to condo unit owners (and what most affects them) are the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&R) and the bylaws.

  • The CC&R are the rules and regulations of the condo association; they explain what the condo unit owner controls, and what the condo association controls.
  • The bylaws help govern the association and spell out things like the obligations of condo unit owners, how expenses such as fees are calculated, and voting rights.

A new unit owner is generally presented with the CC&R along with bylaws, guidelines, and other legal documentation. Here is where it is established where a condo owner’s rights end and the condo association’s begin. It’s important to clearly spell out what is and isn’t allowed outside their condo.

What to Allow for Condo Exterior Decoration

As a rule of thumb, all exterior changes should include the caveat “with approval from the condo board.” This allows you to control changes better, but also make sure that the unit owner feels heard. Likewise, make sure to include an annoyance clause if something that has been approved becomes a source of pain for neighbors or staff. Below are some of the most common exterior decorations requested by unit owners.

Landscaping and Planting

One thing many condo owners want is to create outdoor spaces to enjoy with the use of landscaping and planting. As the Association, have all changes to landscaping (such as planting bushes, etc.) run by you. In addition, landscaping installations should become the property of the Association and are required to be maintained by the user.

Patios and Decks

For decks, patios, and stonework, again, proposals should be submitted to the board for approval. If the condo unit owner is to move out, they should be required to restore the exterior to its original condition at the owner’s expense.

Signage

Generally speaking, signage should be not allowed. This specifically includes signs for rental or sale of the unit. Allowing signs of any sort (political, product, or otherwise) can cause issues, so have the board approve them first.

Holiday Decorations & Lighting

Especially around the winter holidays, decorations can be a major sore spot with unit owners. By not allowing them you can make unit owners feel unable to express their religion, but taken in excess can lead to an eyesore or annoying lighting or music. Set standards not based on the type of decoration, but on general levels of light and noise pollution.

If you want to learn more about the liability of condos and their associations, either as a condo association or individual condo unit owner, contact the H&K Insurance Agency today. Our condo specialists will help you better understand new or existing policies, and how to get the best coverage for all parties.