Let’s admit it, a lot of us are drawn to condos for sale in Brampton because it has a Homeowners Association (HOA). Because of the HOA, you won’t have to worry about taking out your mower on the weekends or the shovel in winter. The HOA takes care of that! You’ll also have a lot of amenities in your new home just like you see in a posh resort - swimming pools, fitness centres, spas, and lots more. But keep in mind that there would also be a lot of HOA rules in your new condo. And when you break any of these HOA rules, you will have to face major consequences. Let’s take a look at what are these HOA rules and what can happen if you violate them below!

Common HOA Rules Often Seen in New Condos for Sale in Brampton

Restrictions on Pets

Do you have a furry buddy or a family member who has feathers? There is a high chance your new condo will have some restrictions regarding your pets. For instance, there are some condos that allow only 1 or 2 pets per unit. So, if you’ve more pets than these, you might have to say goodbye to a few of them. Some condos might allow you to have more than one pet but they might have to be small. It could be cats or dogs under 25 pounds. Again, there are condos that do not allow certain breed of pets in the building. These would be mostly breeds that are loud or more aggressive. And yes, you’ll also find some condos in Brampton with a strict “no pet” policy.

Restrictions on Noise

Since you’re already looking at Brampton condos for sale, we’re guessing you already know what living in these homes would be like. You would have neighbours living next door, above you, and below you. So, since everyone is living in such closed quarters, the HOA has to impose some rules regarding noise. These rules ensure everyone can have a quiet life in their home without any loud noise and disturbance.

Now, let’s discuss what these noise restrictions could be in your new condo. It’s possible your new condo has some “quiet hours” every day. This could be around 10 PM and 7 AM when everyone is deep asleep.

Use of Common Areas

There are some common areas in condos for sale in Brampton - spaces that you’ve to share with everyone. This could be a gym, pool, lounge, or the rooftop area. HOA might have some rules on when and how you can use these areas. Take for instance, if your new condo has a barbeque area, there might be a rule that you have to reserve it ahead before using it. This is to make sure everyone can enjoy the space and there are no fights over it.

Also, you must keep the areas clean after using it - common courtesy. If you’re using the pool or the lounge, you must try to keep it as clean as you found it - or even more sparkling. Another rule is that you cannot chat loudly or play your favourite music loudly in these common areas.

Restrictions on Renovations

This is actually a big downside of buying a condo for sale in Brampton. You cannot decorate and renovate your new condo as you like. You would have to first get approval from the HOA even if you’re just painting a small section of your wall. Most HOAs also have rules on when you can do renovation work. You might be able to do it only on weekends or at certain hours. So, before you call up your contractor friend, go ahead and check about the renovation once with your HOA.

Parking Rules

You cannot park anywhere and everywhere you want in your new condo. You can only park on the spot that is assigned to you by the HOA. Another parking rule that you need to be aware of is that your guests cannot park in any empty spot. Your condo might have some special spots for guest parking or none at all. Also, some condos for sale in Brampton have restrictions on the kind of vehicle you can park. Oversized trucks, trailers, or boats are usually not allowed in the regular parking areas of a condo.

Rules on Exterior Decoration

Do you love decking up your halls and decorating your home during the festival season? You might have to face some restrictions in this. Some condos do not allow you to drill holes, or paint the walls in the name of decoration. Additionally, keep in mind that condos usually have rules about when you can put up holiday decorations. For instance, you might not be able to put up the decorations months before the holiday.

What Will the HOA Do If You Violate the Rules?

You now know what HOA rules condos for sale in Brampton usually have. But what will happen if you accidentally or intentionally break any of these rules? Here’s what the HOA might do -

Send You a Friendly Reminder/Warning

Let’s suppose you violate a minor HOA rule - like you park in the wrong spot or put up decorations that the HOA doesn’t approve. In such small cases, the HOA will likely send you a friendly reminder. They might send you a message, note, or an email explaining what you have done wrong and what is the actual rule.

Ask You to Pay a Fine or Fee

If you repeat the mistake even after this first warning, the HOA might be forced to ask you to pay a fine. Rest assured, you won’t have to pay dollars of cash for the first fine. But if you have violated the rule even after multiple reminders and warnings, this fine could be big.

Legal Action (Only for Serious Violations)

The HOA of Brampton condos for sale takes this step only when matters go out their hand. It is when you do not respond or correct your mistake despite a lot of warnings, reminders, and fines that they go for legal action. Or when you make a big change to a condo without asking for approval from the HOA.

What Is the Best Thing You Can Do When You Break an HOA Rule?

All of us break a rule or two in our day-to-day life by mistake. So, if you also end up violating a rule in your new condo, don’t stress your head out. The best thing you can do in such a situation is to handle it all calmly and responsibly. First, if you know that you have violated a rule, reach out to the HOA and acknowledge making a mistake. If the HOA reaches you before you do, head over to have a quiet, polite chat with the HOA members.

Also, once you know what rule you have violated, fix it as quickly as possible. This can show to the HOA of the condo for sale in Brampton that you’re responsible and care about following the rules. Finally, take this as a learning opportunity if you plan to keep the condo for a long time. Review the rules and guidelines of the HOA so you’re clear on the rules moving forward. Taking these steps will help you to lead a happy and harmonious life in your new home!