HOA fees

HOA fees on a condo or townhouse: what they cover and when they are too high.

A monthly HOA fee is part of your housing cost in the same way a mortgage payment is. A low fee can mean a careful association — or one that is not saving for the roof. A high fee can mean waste — or one that already covers water, insurance and a staffed building. This hub shows how to read the documents that tell the difference before you commit.

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Townhouse community courtyard with shared mailbox kiosk and landscaped green — AI-generated concept illustration; not a photo of a specific place or property.

Quick answer

There is no "normal" HOA fee: it depends on what the association pays for (building insurance, water and sewer, garbage, elevators, staff, amenities) and how much it saves for future repairs. Before you buy, read the association budget, the most recent reserve study and the resale certificate. A fee is too high only if it is high for what it covers; a fee is too low if the reserve study shows the association is not funding major repairs, which raises the chance of a special assessment. When you compare owning with renting, compare mortgage + HOA + property tax + your own insurance against rent — your lender will count the HOA dues in your debt-to-income ratio too.

3 documents

Budget, reserve study and resale certificate show whether the fee is sustainable

Every 3 years

Washington associations covered by the reserve-study statute update the study, with a site visit

DTI

Lenders count HOA dues in your monthly debt-to-income ratio

Questions this hub answers

how much are hoa fees
what do hoa fees cover
are hoa fees worth it
condo hoa fees vs townhouse hoa fees
hoa special assessment
condo reserve study
high hoa fees vs rent cost comparison

Five checks before you accept an HOA fee

01
List what the fee pays for
Ask which utilities, insurance and services are included. A condo fee that covers the master insurance policy, water, sewer and garbage is not comparable with a townhouse fee that covers only landscaping.
02
Read the budget line by line
Look at the share going to reserves, insurance and management. A sudden jump in the insurance line is common in older buildings and often precedes a fee increase.
03
Open the reserve study
The study lists major components (roof, siding, elevators, paving), their remaining life and the cash needed. Compare the reserve balance with the study's recommendation.
04
Ask about special assessments
Check the resale certificate and board minutes for approved or discussed assessments, pending litigation and planned projects such as envelope repairs.
05
Compare with rent honestly
Add mortgage, HOA, property tax and an HO-6 or homeowner policy, then subtract nothing you cannot verify. Compare that monthly figure with rent for a similar home.

Condo vs townhouse HOA: what usually differs

Item	Condo	Townhouse (HOA)	Why it matters
Building insurance	Usually in the master policy	Often your own policy	Changes what your personal insurance must cover
Roof and siding	Association repairs from reserves	Varies: association or owner	Decides who pays the largest future bills
Utilities in fee	Often water, sewer, garbage	Often none or garbage only	Affects the fee-vs-rent comparison
Rental rules	Leasing caps are common	Fewer limits, but check	Matters if you may rent it out later
Special assessment risk	Higher in older buildings with envelope work	Lower if owners maintain exteriors	Read the reserve study either way

HOA budget statement, reserve study binder and calculator on a desk — AI-generated concept illustration; not a photo of a specific place or property.

Checklist

HOA document checklist

Current year budget and last year's actual spending
Most recent reserve study and reserve balance
Resale certificate from the association
Declaration, bylaws and rules (pets, rentals, parking)
Board minutes for the last 12 months
Master insurance policy summary and deductible
Any approved or proposed special assessments
Pending litigation disclosure

HOA fees FAQ

Are high HOA fees always bad?

No. A higher fee that includes insurance, utilities and a well-funded reserve can cost less in total than a low fee followed by a special assessment. Judge the fee against what it covers and the reserve study.

What is a special assessment?

A one-time charge the association levies on owners when reserves cannot cover a repair or cost. The declaration and Washington law set how it is approved and allocated; ask the seller and the association whether any are planned.

Can HOA fees go up after I buy?

Yes. The board adopts a budget each year and owners have a ratification process under Washington's community association statutes. Rising insurance and deferred repairs are the most common reasons.

Do HOA fees affect how much I can borrow?

Yes. Lenders add the monthly HOA dues to your housing payment when calculating your debt-to-income ratio, so a high fee lowers the loan amount you qualify for.

Sources

Last checked November 13, 2026. Official sources for the key rules on this page; they describe general rules, and your contract, lender, tax adviser, association documents and each agency's current rules control your specific case.

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HOA Reserve Study: How to Read Funding, Repair Plans and Risk

Looking at a condo or townhouse with a fee you are unsure about?

Send us the listing. We will request the budget, reserve study and resale certificate, flag assessment risk and lay the true monthly cost next to comparable rents.

Review an HOA with us