Taking Ownership of HOA Problems
It's tough to admit when we're causing our own problems. As homeowners in Nevada HOAs, we need to recognize this hard truth if we want improvements. Our biggest issues come from two sources: our lack of engagement and weak oversight. Both of these problems are ultimately our responsibility.
What I've Learned
My experience comes from years working with HOA governance in communities from 250 to 8,000+ units. I've participated in Nevada legislative reform and researched HOA laws across many states. But I only got involved after realizing I was part of the problem -an unengaged owner.
The Reality
Nevada has some of the best HOA laws in America. While not perfect, these laws can support thriving communities. We have regulators and systems to address violations outside the expensive court system. We just need to make the system to work as intended—and that's on us.
The Problem of Disengagement
Unengaged homeowners hurt HOAs. Most Nevada homeowners fall into this category. This disengagement happens for many reasons:
Simple apathy
Satisfaction with the status quo
Feeling powerless to make changes
Believing you can sell your property without dealing with community issues
Whatever the reason, when owners don't engage, community standards decline and disputes increase.
We're In This Together
When you buy a home in an HOA, you become a partner with other owners. Your home—likely your biggest investment—and quality of life are at stake. Are you doing your part?
Are others?
Your responsibility doesn't end after buying your home. In Las Vegas, where HOAs are nearly unavoidable, good associations stay that way because of engaged owners. If your community has problems, what have you done about it?
Have you attended board meetings?
Have you read your CC&Rs?
Did you vote for qualified neighbors to govern?
If your community has a rogue board, acknowledge your role and get engaged. Don't wait for someone else to fix things or complain that you didn't understand what you were getting into. That's on us.
Moving Forward
Americans have a history of uniting to overcome challenges, especially ones we create ourselves. Building a community we want to live in goes hand-in-hand with finding the right home. Creating the right combination isn't as hard as some claim, but it requires us to first acknowledge that we are the problem, then commit to change.
