Who Pays the HOA Fee When Renting a Home?

When renting a home, whether it’s a cozy condo or an incredible luxury estate, understanding the financial responsibilities involved is crucial. One of these responsibilities might be the Homeowners’ Association (HOA) fee. But what is an HOA fee and who exactly is responsible for paying it when you’re a tenant? Let’s take a closer look at HOA fees and who pays the HOA fee when renting a home.

The Basics of HOA Fees

Homeowners’ Associations are established in many communities to manage and maintain the community. In order to provide these services residents will be charged an HOA fee, which is collected monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Expenses covered in HOA fees usually include management fees and maintenance of the common areas and facilities within the community. Additionally, they may include water, cable, internet, alarm monitoring, or other amenities.

Not all communities have an HOA or HOA fees, but for those who do it’s important to know who’s responsible for paying them when renting and what they include.

Landlord vs. Tenant Responsibility

In most lease agreements, the responsibility for paying HOA fees falls upon the landlord, and for very good reasons. The landlord still owns the property and is responsible for making sure the HOA fee is paid in full and on time. The best way for a landlord to know the payment was made on time is to do it themselves.

Additionally, if the landlord chooses to transfer the responsibility of paying the HOA fee to the tenant and the tenant fails to make the payment, the landlord will face consequences. This may include penalties for lateness, placing liens on the property, and in certain situations, even leading to foreclosure. Sure on paper the tenant was responsible and the landlord may be able to hold them accountable but the seller will still be the one suffering the immediate consequences.

So to avoid any potential headaches and financial problems it’s always best for the landlord to pay HOA fees.

Clear Lease Agreement

When entering into a lease agreement, it’s vital for the landlord and tenant to have a clear understanding of the financial obligations. The lease agreement should explicitly state who is responsible for paying what. Items such as who pays the HOA fees, for landscaping, and pool maintenance. Having everything clearly spelled out in the lease will help avoid any confusion or disputes down the line.

How HOA’s Factor into Rent

It’s not uncommon for rents to be a tad higher for homes located in a community with an HOA in place. However, that higher cost could actually be a savings to a tenant depending on what’s included in an HOA.

Let’s say a tenant currently rents a home in a community without an HOA and they pay $3,400 a month, but it includes nothing. So the tenant needs to pay for cable, internet, alarm monitoring, and a gym membership, which add up to $250 a month.

Their lease is up and they are interested in a home located in an HOA but the monthly rent is $100 more at $3,500. However, it includes cable, internet, alarm monitoring, and access to a gym. So the tenant would no longer need to pay for those services and would be saving $250 a month. Suddenly the rental that’s $100 more a month will be saving the tenant $150 on their overall monthly expenses since the landlord pays the HOA fees, which cover all of those amenities.

So it’s important for tenants to know what is included in rent, which as who pays the HOA fee, before ruling properties in or out.

Final Thoughts

When renting a home, the responsibility for who pays the HOA fees typically lies with the landlord. This could be a huge advantage for tenants especially if the community has incredible amenities that are included in the rent. Additionally, homeowners associations do a wonderful job of maintaining the community and may offer amenities that can enhance the overall living experience for tenants.

If you are looking to list your home for rent or need assistance finding a home to rent contact us today! Whether you’re a landlord looking to obtain top dollar for your rental property or a tenant looking for the perfect rental we will guide you through the entire process from start to finish. Plus, working with a rental agent can save tenants a lot of time, and energy, and help avoid rental scams.

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About the Author

Top Wellington Realtor, Michelle Gibson, wrote: “Who Pays the HOA Fee When Renting a Home?”

Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. If you’re ready to put Michelle’s knowledge and expertise to work for you call or e-mail her today.

Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.

Who Pays the HOA Fee When Renting a Home?