What should Houston buyers check about HOA fees?

Which HOA documents should I request before I commit?

Ask for the current restrictions, bylaws, association rules and resale information for the property. Texas Property Code Chapter 207 describes the subdivision information and resale-certificate disclosures for associations within its scope. Use the contract and the appropriate addendum to establish how the documents will be obtained and reviewed.

Keep a simple folder with the association name, managing agent, document dates and the questions still unanswered. When a listing, seller answer and association document disagree, ask for the discrepancy to be resolved in writing.

Sources: Texas Property Code §207.003; TREC association addendum.

What belongs on my HOA buyer checklist?

Use the checks below as a working list. They do not submit information. You can print this page to keep a copy with your property documents.

• I know every association tied to the property.

  Ask whether there is one association or more than one, who manages each, and which documents apply to this address. Do not infer membership from the neighborhood name or the appearance of the home.

• I have the current dues and payment schedule.

  Confirm the amount, frequency, due dates and what the dues cover. For your monthly budget, divide a confirmed annual amount by twelve; keep one-time closing charges on a separate line.

• I have asked about assessments and planned work.

  Review approved special assessments and capital projects. Ask whether additional work or an assessment is being discussed, what has actually been approved, and which documents support the answer. A current balance alone does not answer those questions.

• The rules fit how I plan to use the home.

  Check your intended use against the actual restrictions: leasing, lease length, parking, pets, exterior changes, fences, landscaping or a home-based activity. Ask the appropriate professional to explain any unclear provision before relying on it.

• I know who repairs and insures what.

  Ask about the roof, exterior, fence, driveway, shared structures and common areas. Have your insurance professional compare the association coverage with the coverage you need. Do not assume a maintenance responsibility includes every related repair.

• The transfer charges and contract allocation agree.

  Request an itemized list of charges associated with the sale, who receives each payment and which party pays under the signed contract. Keep document-order costs, transfer charges and regular dues distinct when reviewing the closing figures.

What should I look for in the resale certificate?

For a subdivision association covered by Chapter 207, the statutory disclosure list includes regular and approved special assessments, unpaid property balances, approved capital expenditures, reserves, the operating budget and balance sheet, certain lawsuits and judgments, insurance, known violations and transfer fees. Review the relevant entries and the supporting documents rather than stopping at the dues amount.

Ask what the financial information means for this purchase: which obligations belong to the property, which work is funded and what still needs an explanation. A resale certificate is not a promise that dues, projects or assessments will never change.

Source: Texas Property Code §207.003(b).

Is the review different for a condominium or townhome?

Yes, first establish the legal ownership type. A townhome’s shape does not tell you whether it is a condominium. The TREC subdivision HOA addendum is not for condominiums. TREC has a separate condominium resale certificate, with required operating-budget, insurance-summary and balance-sheet attachments.

For a condominium, ask your lender and insurance professional what project and coverage information they need. Review the unit, common elements, maintenance responsibilities and association documents together.

Sources: TREC HOA addendum scope; TREC Condominium Resale Certificate. Related: Townhome versus single-family home in Houston.

When should I resolve the unanswered questions?

Early enough to act within your signed contract. The association addendum contains document-delivery choices and transaction-specific provisions. Have your agent and, where needed, your attorney identify the applicable dates and rights. Do not assume an HOA review and an inspection option period are interchangeable.

Source: Current TREC association addendum, Form 36-11.

Want help organizing the property questions?

Bring the listing and the association documents you have. We can use a 30-minute buyer conversation to organize the missing information and the next questions for the association, lender, title team or attorney.

Plan a 30-minute buyer conversation

General buyer education, not a determination of your contractual rights or insurance coverage. The signed contract, current property documents and advice from the appropriate licensed professionals govern your purchase. Sources checked October 7, 2026.