HOA Roof Replacement Guidelines
Not everyone wanting to renovate their home can do so quickly.
Even if you have the appropriate finances, you may or may not be allowed to renovate your home the way you want, on your own schedule, depending where you live.
The Homeowners Association (HOA) in which you live may have specific requirements for your home’s exterior—including your roof.
If you’re asking, “Does an HOA cover roof replacement?” Here’s everything you need to know.
HOA Roof Replacement: Do HOA Fees Cover Roof Replacements?
The answer to the question is, unfortunately, no. HOA fees do not cover roof replacement, renovations, or repairs. All roof replacements and renovations you want to make to your home have to come out of your own pocket.
In fact, while living in an area governed by an HOA, you may find it tough to get a renovation approved. Not only do you have to run it by the HOA, which is generally governed by select people who also live in your neighborhood, but your roofing request may also have to meet a uniform look that’s already been agreed upon by the neighborhood.
Does HOA Cover Roof Replacement If I Am Renting a Home?
For those who live in a rental home, renovating the place is generally off the menu, that is, unless you:
1. Run it by the owner of the home itself.
2. Pay for it out of your own pocket.
3. Have a request that fits the personal interest of the owner and adds value to the home.
In other words, if you want to replace a roof within an HOA governed neighborhood, it’s going to be tough. You can’t you can’t just install any high-quality roofing material on your home. The point of living in an area with a homeowners association is to have much stricter control over who lives there and what the neighborhood looks like.
This typically applies to specific details like the type, color, and style of your housing materials, such as siding and roofing, among many others.
However, you can replace your roof in an HOA—if you know how to go about it. Let’s take a look at the HOA roof replacement process that many HOA’s have.
Homeowners Approval: What’s The Purpose of Them?
HOA’s often have an approval process for any type of renovation including a roof replacement, that is happening within the HOA. Here are a few reasons why you’ll want to get an HOA approval—and follow HOA roof replacement guidelines—before starting a renovation project:
1. Avoid Fines and Lawsuits
Going ahead with a renovation before getting HOA approval can lead to you being fined or sued by the HOA. They cannot evict you immediately, but they can hit your pocket. They can also make you do an hoa roof repair if they deem it appropriate—especially if it does not meet the typical exterior home designs of the HOA.
2. Keep the Look of the Neighborhood Uniform
Do HOAs cover roof replacements? No. However, HOA’s do help neighborhoods conform to a specific look. By getting an approval of an HOA roof replacement, you confirm that the style of your home’s exterior matches the requirements of the other homes nearby.
3. Get Your Project Completed Faster
Assuming you choose to obey the HOA, which you should, the faster you get their approval, the faster you can get your HOA roof replacement done. It can be a bit of a wait, in some cases, but you don't want to be waiting months on end to get your project completed—especially if getting it done in a certain season is going to draw out the process and increase the cost of installation (i.e. cold winter months, rainy seasons, dangerously hot weather).
Tips for Requesting Approval
There are some things that you can do to increase the likelihood of your HOA roofing renovation to be approved.
Consider Materials
First, make sure your project falls within the aesthetic and materialistic guidelines of the HOA. Because HOA’s are usually specific about the materials that can be used, and especially what style and colors are allowed, they tend to provide you with the identified materials that meet the requirements up front.
Sometimes you can get away with various different materials, as long as they conform to a uniform style and color. For example, if an HOA requires wooden siding or roofing appearances, one way to avoid breaking the HOA roof replacement guidelines is by using a synthetic cedar shake, which looks almost exactly the same.
Use a Contractor
Using a roofing contractor helps you prepare your hoa roofing request before you submit it. They can give you specific details on installation time, best materials to use, and HOA prerequisites. (This is also the easiest way to maximize your chances for approval.)
Request An Early Approval
Submitting your request will ultimately help you get your project approved when you need it.
If you have a date you want the project completed, be sure to submit the request well before the start of the would-be installation. Depending on how restricted you are with the HOA, the time for approval could vary widely.
What to do if a HOA Denies Your Roof Replacement?
If you are denied, ask your HOA about how you can adjust the request so it has a better chance of getting approved. They should be able to give you the specific adjustments you can make.
If they are unfamiliar with a type of material, and if you choose CeDUR®’s synthetic cedar shake roofing, be sure to inform them of the material's increased durability, top of the line aesthetics, and low maintenance requirements.
These factors could be the difference between a denial and an approval.
Be Detailed and Patient in Your Dealings with an HOA
HOA’s may feel overbearing at times, but they’re there to ensure the beautiful aesthetic of your home and the neighborhood around it.
By being extremely detailed in your HOA roof replacement request—and staying patient throughout the approval process—you will give yourself the highest chance of approval.
If you’re interested in using CeDUR® synthetic cedar shake materials for your HOA roof replacement, contact us today.