04/22/2026
I've been having this conversation a lot lately…
“Why are HOA fees going up so much?”
Not all HOA increases are red flags. Some are catch up.
A big piece of what I am seeing locally, in the San Francisco Bay Area, comes down to insurance. After several major wildfire seasons in California, insurance costs, especially for multi unit buildings, have gone up significantly. In some cases, they have more than doubled. HOAs are having to raise dues just to keep coverage in place.
The other piece is something many people haven't heard about. SB 326.
This is a California law that requires condo buildings with 3 or more units to inspect things like balconies, decks, and walkways every 9 years. The goal is safety, but these inspections are uncovering issues that need to be fixed. It was passed in 2019, with many buildings required to complete their first inspections by 2025, which is why a lot of this is coming up now.
And those repairs are not optional.
So what happens?
HOAs are raising dues, issuing special assessments, or both, to cover:
• higher insurance costs
• required repairs
• ongoing maintenance
It also impacts affordability more than people sometimes expect. Even a few hundred dollars a month in HOA dues can change what someone qualifies for or how a monthly payment feels. It is something buyers are paying much closer attention to right now. The article focuses more on this aspect of HOA increases.
If your HOA has gone up recently, there is usually a reason behind it. And it's not always a bad one. In many cases, it means the property is being maintained and protected the way it should be.
If you are buying or already own in an HOA, it's important to understand the financials and ask questions.
I'm happy to walk through this with anyone unsure what to look for.
High fees have kept some people looking to buy a condo from actually buying a home