
Deed restrictions focus on things like adding structures to your house such as a fence, a shed, or a deck. Deed restrictions may also regulate exterior residential painting. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering having the exterior of your house painted and you live in a deed restricted neighborhood.
Deed Restrictions Affect Exterior House Painting
Deed restrictions are written into a property’s deed. They may be called covenants, conditions or restrictions. The goal of a deed restriction is to maintain the aesthetic harmony of all the homes in a subdivision. For example, deed restrictions keep your neighbor from painting their house neon green when all the other houses are earth tones like beige, tan and brown.
Deed restrictions may also require that the exterior of your house is painted at regularly designated intervals to ensure your home keeps an attractive appearance. They may also require that the exterior of your home is pressure washed every year.
The idea is not to limit a homeowner’s creativity but to ensure that the property values for all the homes in a subdivision are maintained. The property value of everyone’s home may be affected if your neighbors all have beautiful looking homes with fresh coats of paint but your home has sun washed colors and peeling paint. Stable property values promote good relations among neighbors in a community.
The subdivision’s homeowners association is typically responsible for monitoring and enforcing deed restrictions. A homeowner may be assessed a fine if they do not conform with the color scheme or schedule for painting home exteriors. Homes in neighborhoods with higher property values may be subject to more stringent enforcement of deed restrictions.
What to Do Before You Have the Exterior of Your House Painted in a Deed Restricted Neighborhood
If you’re in a deed restricted neighborhood, and it’s time to paint your home, there are some things you can do to make sure you stay on good terms with your neighbors and your homeowners association.
Take a drive or walk around your subdivision and observe what color choices your neighbors have made for their homes. Take note of the colors used for trims and gutters as well as the exterior walls.
You should also make sure you have the most current version of your homeowners association policy on exterior painting. If you have any questions, you should contact your homeowners association.
An experienced painting contractor can help you select the right colors and type of paint that aligns with the deed restrictions for your neighborhood. They can also give your home a high quality exterior painting that ensures both you and your neighbors are smiling every time you pull into your driveway.