Rising homeowners association dues are becoming another burden in California’s expensive housing landscape.<\/p>\n
State lawmakers are debating whether tighter limits on future increases could help keep existing residents from being priced out of the communities they already call home.<\/p>\n
What’s happening?<\/p>\n
A report republished by KPBS<\/a> explained that HOA dues are climbing alongside mortgage rates, utility bills, and insurance premiums, which has led to the state legislature considering intervention.<\/p>\n Enter Senate Bill 1007. The bill would limit annual HOA fee increases to 8% unless homeowners approve a larger increase, replacing current rules that generally allow dues to rise by up to 20% without that vote.<\/p>\n The proposal comes as homeowners are already dealing with mounting housing costs. HOA communities also make up an increasing share of the housing market.<\/p>\n Using U.S. Census Bureau data, 67% of newly built single-family homes nationwide in 2024 were part of HOAs, compared with 46% in 2009.<\/p>\n In California, HOA living is common: more than one-third of residents and about 65% of homeowners live in those communities. Median monthly dues statewide are nearly $300, and in higher-cost areas, they can be far higher.<\/p>\n At a March hearing, the bill’s author, Van Nuys Democratic Senator Caroline Menjivar, said: “This bill is about providing information to a homeowner to understand how much they’re gonna be paying.”<\/p>\n Why does it matter?<\/p>\n Supporters of the bill say HOA dues have become a serious household expense rather than a minor add-on, especially for residents already squeezed by the broader cost-of-living crisis.<\/p>\n At the hearing, Marjorie Murray, president of the Center for California Homeowner Association Law, said sharp yearly increases can quickly throw family finances off balance.<\/p>\n “This is unsustainable. Even regular assessments raised by 20% will double in four years and triple in five,” she said. “Nobody’s salary or Social Security or retirement income goes up by those kinds of percentages.”<\/p>\n The debate over HOAs reaches beyond monthly dues. Associations around the country have also faced criticism for preventing money-saving home improvements, such as rooftop solar panels and native-plant lawns, which can reduce water use and maintenance expenses.<\/p>\n Homeowners hoping to push for those kinds of practical changes can use The Cool Down’s guide on working with HOAs to better understand bylaws and press for reform.<\/p>\n Critics of the California measure say a stricter cap on annual increases could leave associations short of needed funds and lead to even steeper repair costs later.<\/p>\n What’s being done?<\/p>\n The measure has revealed a political split in Sacramento. It still advanced on a 24-13 vote last month, even after six Democrats joined a majority of Republicans in opposing it at a Senate hearing.<\/p>\n Backers of the proposal, including consumer advocates and realtor groups, say it would not stop associations from covering necessary expenses.<\/p>\n They argue it would simply require direct homeowner approval before especially large dues hikes could take effect.<\/p>\n As California Association of Realtors lobbyist Sanjay Wagle said: “The realtors trust the homeowners. They’ll protect their investment.”<\/p>\n Lawmakers are also weighing additional HOA-related changes, including a transparency bill to make meetings and records easier to access and another proposal to require stronger reserve funds for major maintenance.<\/p>\n Still, opponents such as HOA board member Robert Henricks say older communities still face costly repair needs, and he warned that a tighter cap could create a “pay me now or pay me later” problem.<\/p>\n Get TCD’s free newsletters<\/a> for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rising homeowners association dues are becoming another burden in California’s expensive housing landscape. 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