Editorial standards

We would rather say less and be right. Every guide and tool on HOA Plainly follows these rules.

Sources we use

We cite state statutes from official legislature websites (for example, Florida Statutes chapter 720, California’s Davis-Stirling Act, Texas Property Code chapter 209, and Arizona Revised Statutes title 33, chapter 16), official state agencies such as ombudsman offices, and the Foundation for Community Association Research. We only describe a specific state rule after checking the statute text, and we say which section it comes from.

We cite the primary source whenever one exists: the statute, the agency page, the court rule, or the extension publication. News articles and industry groups are used only for context and are labeled as such. Each guide lists its sources at the bottom with links.

What we will not do

• We do not invent statistics, testimonials, reviews, expert quotes, or credentials.
• We do not present estimates as measurements. Where a number is a rule of thumb or a model, the page says so and explains the math.
• We do not accept payment to include, rank, or recommend anything in our guides.
• We never ask readers to click ads, and ads are always labeled “Advertisement.”

Tools and data

Letter builders produce templates, not legal documents. They cite statutes only for states where we have verified the section. The special assessment calculator does simple arithmetic you can check. It doesn’t know your governing documents’ allocation formula, so it lets you enter your own percentage.

Review and updates

Each guide shows the date it was last reviewed. We re-check sources when we learn a rule has changed and at least once a year. When a change matters to readers, we note it on the page.

Corrections

If you find a mistake, use the contact form and include the page and a source. Confirmed errors are fixed promptly, and substantive corrections are noted on the page with the date.

Limits

HOA Plainly is general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm, and using this site doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. Your rights depend on your state’s law and your community’s declaration, bylaws, and rules, which vary a lot. For a serious dispute, a lien, or a foreclosure threat, talk to a lawyer licensed in your state who handles community association matters.

This site is operated by Directory Assistance Group. Questions about these terms or your data: hello@directoryassistancegroup.com.