# What's the SD on Housing Associations?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-housing-associations/213371>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 15, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-housing-associations/213371 "2003-11-15T03:14:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![clnilsen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@clnilsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clnilsen)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-housing-associations/213371/1 "2003-11-15T03:14:39Z")

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Ok Legal dopers…

My question: Do you HAVE to be a memeber of a housing association if one exists in your allotment? Do I have to pay teh dues if I do not use any facilities? The only thing public in our development is a small children’s playset.

i.e., this is a group of houses, seperate properties. No condos, apartments, etc.

They are saying that I have mandatory dues because I own a house in the neighborhood. Is this true?

This is an older allotment, from the late 40’s, not a recent development.

Any help on what I need to send them to opt out, or do I need to pay?

Thanks!

Chuck

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**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\
**Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-housing-associations/213371/2 "2003-11-15T08:25:49Z")

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You should go check out the covenants filed for the Homeowners’ Association at the time of the platting of the neighborhood. The courts here generally uphold these covenants. Some covenants roll off after a period of time, say 20 to 40 years, after which they are self-reinstating unless a majority of homeowners vote not to.

Hie yourself up to City Hall and find out!