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The Daily Insight

What is the difference between a HOA and a co-op?

Author

Caleb Butler

Updated on April 01, 2026

Pricing, Taxes, Dues, and Fees In the case of condos, HOAs do not hold the power to prevent a sale or purchase. When it comes to dues and fees, both a co-op and condo buyer pay monthly maintenance, but the condo owner pays to the HOA while the co-op member pays to the board.

What is a homeowner cooperative?

Key Takeaways. A co-op is a way to own a primary residence, but where homeowners don’t own their units outright; instead, each resident is a shareholder in the co-op itself. Some co-op owners are allowed to sell their co-op shares in the open market, depending on the market rate for co-ops in that location.

What is the difference between HOA and strata?

The term “strata” was initially used to describe apartment blocks that had two or more levels. But strata pretty much has the same concept as a condo, which deals with individually-owned units with shared common areas. HOA’s oversee any changes or developments that could and should be carried out in a shared property.

What’s the difference between condos and coops?

A condo is a private residence in a multiunit structure that includes ownership of commonly used property. A co-op owner has an interest or share in the entire building and a contract or lease that allows the owner to occupy a unit. While a condo owner owns a unit, a co-op owner does not own the unit.

What is a freehold strata scheme?

freehold strata scheme means a strata scheme in which no lots or common property in the scheme are subject to a lease or leases referred to in section 11. function includes a power, authority or duty, and exercise a function includes perform a duty.

How do you know if a property is leasehold or freehold?

Alernatively, you can go to the Land Registry website and search for an entry for your property. Most property is registered and you should be able to obtain a copy of your title who will confirm whether the property is freehold or leasehold.

What is a unit entitlement?

Unit entitlements are the allocated share of the rights and responsibilities of a strata scheme. They impact an owner’s contributions to the expenses of the strata scheme, rights over common property and voting rights.

Can you negotiate strata fees?

It’s not impossible – you can negotiate a cut in your strata levies. Before you can act to cut levies, you have to understand what they are. They’re your share of the cost of running your building.

What does freehold mean on property?

The freeholder of a property owns it outright, including the land it’s built on. If you buy a freehold, you’re responsible for maintaining your property and land, so you’ll need to budget for these costs. Most houses are freehold but some might be leasehold – usually through shared-ownership schemes.