Do condos have yards? Before buying a home, it is important to understand the different qualities they have. If a potential buyer is looking for a traditional backyard, condos may not be the prime choice.
Do Condos Have Yards?
Potential homeowners usually have a list of features they deem essential when hunting for a house or unit. For a lot of people, especially those with kids or pets, a yard is a top priority.
While condos can be more affordable than detached homes, they are not always well-suited for those looking for a big yard.
Do condos have backyards? Most condos do not have yards. It is important to understand that condos are single units located within a larger building.
When a person buys a condo, they receive ownership of the unit and the space inside it. The land itself, where the condo building sits, does not fall under their name.
Of course, there are rare exceptions to this rule. Some condos, especially detached ones, do have yards. These yards may be shared with other units or not. Even if they are not shared, they are usually located in very close proximity to a neighbor’s yard.
Do Townhomes Have Backyards?
Townhomes may or may not have yards, but they often do. This is one of the key differences between a townhome and a condo.
There are three main types of yards or green spaces in a townhome community:
- Private Yards. Some townhomes have private yards in the front or back of the house. A townhouse owner owns the private yard that comes with the unit, so they are responsible for maintaining it.
- Shared Yards. Some townhomes have shared yards, which means two or more units have access to them. The maintenance responsibility usually falls on the owners.
- Shared Green Spaces. Some townhomes have access to shared green spaces or amenities. Because these spaces are typically deemed common areas, the HOA usually holds the maintenance and management responsibilities.
While ownership usually dictates maintenance responsibilities, it is still best to refer to the association’s governing documents. Some communities may have private or shared yards, but the HOA still maintains them.
Common Shared Backyard Rules
Owners who have private yards can usually do whatever they want to their yards, depending on HOA rules. On the other hand, when a condo or townhouse has a shared backyard, certain common rules apply.
These rules can differ from one community to another, but they usually involve the following:
1. Personal Items
Owners should not leave their personal items in the yard overnight. These include items such as grills, toys, and furniture. If a condo or townhome has a deck, an owner may be able to store their items there. Larger items may call for their own storage.
2. Privacy
It is important to create separate spaces to give everyone a sense of privacy. Visual or physical barriers such as tall shrubs or a townhouse fence will help with this. Owners of shared yards should also establish communication methods for reporting concerns or problems.
3. Access
When it comes to access, it is essential to establish clear guidelines. Who can access the shared yards? Can owners cross over to fenced-off areas within the shared space without notice?
4. Ball Activities
Many HOAs have restrictions when it comes to activities involving balls in a condo backyard. Balls, especially the hard ones, can cause damage to windows, siding, and lighting fixtures.
Children would have to play further away from the condo or townhome, such as a community court or playground.
5. Signage
Another common rule HOAs have concerns signage. Most associations don’t allow owners to display private signs or for sale signs without permission. Some allow signs but with a few restrictions on placement, number, sizing, and language.
Flags are a different matter altogether. In Illinois, according to the Condominium Property Act, associations can’t prohibit the display of the American flag or a military flag (765 ILCS 605/18.6). Reasonable rules can apply in alignment with the U.S. Flag Code.
6. Noise and Nuisance
Many condo or townhome associations prohibit owners from making too much noise, especially in a shared space like a backyard. These communities may also prohibit other types of nuisances such as annoying lights or odors.
Residents may not be allowed to launch fireworks as well, as these can be noisy, smelly, bright, and damaging.
7. Holiday Decorations
While it is rare for an HOA to ban holiday decorations altogether, most do have rules surrounding them. Typically, these rules regulate the time fame in which holiday decorations can go up and stay up. They also regulate the type, placement, and materials of the decorations.
8. Drying Clothes
Hanging laundry on a clothesline to dry is eco-friendly, but some communities may not allow it. It is vital to consult state laws and the HOA’s governing documents.
Homeowners associations may dislike clotheslines because they can be viewed as unsightly. Illinois, however, is a right-to-dry state that prohibits HOAs from having clothesline bans.
9. Pets
If an HOA allows pets, chances are there are additional rules that regulate them. An HOA may not permit owners to let their pets roam freely in shared spaces. There are also many associations that prohibit owners from breeding animals in shared yards.
10. Installations
Many private yards have installations such as basketball hoops, trampolines, hot tubs, and pools. Shared yards may not have the same luxury.
In many communities, rules disallow shared yards to have similar installations. Some require the consent of all owners of the shared space, as well as the approval of the Architectural Review Committee, before installation.
Whatever the case, it is important for owners to read through their CC&Rs and operating rules.
11. Landscaping
Common area landscaping usually falls under the responsibility of the HOA. When it comes to shared yards, owners typically have the obligation to maintain them, but this can still vary from one association to another.
Communities will normally have landscaping rules that owners must also follow for their own yards.
Do Condos Have Yards? Answered!
Condos don’t usually have yards, but a select few do. In contrast, townhomes can have private yards, shared yards, shared green spaces, or no yard at all. It is more common for townhomes to have yards than condos. Still, backyard rules can still apply.
Hillcrest provides expert condo management services, including help with yard rules. Call us today at 630-627-3303 or contact us online to request a proposal!
