Declarant

What is a declarant?

A declarant is usually the developer or builder who creates a homeowners association (HOA) community. They’re responsible for establishing the HOA, drafting its governing documents, and setting up the initial rules and guidelines for the community. Basically, the declarant lays the foundation for how the HOA will operate. They often maintain control over the association during the early development phase, making key decisions until the homeowners assume full control. Declarants play a critical role in shaping the structure and goals of the community, ensuring everything is set up for success. Without a declarant, there wouldn’t be an HOA to manage.

Why are declarants important?

Declarants are incredibly important because they’re the ones who bring an HOA community into existence. They handle all the early groundwork, from developing the community to establishing the legal and operational framework guiding its future. Declarants create governing documents like the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) and ensure the HOA is set up to manage shared amenities, enforce rules, and maintain community standards. In the beginning, declarants often oversee the HOA to make sure the community functions smoothly while it grows. Once the community is more established, they typically hand over control to the homeowners. Without the declarant’s initial vision and organization, the community might not have the structure it needs to thrive over the long term.

How can you use “declarant” in a sentence?

The declarant set up our HOA’s rules and managed the association until the homeowners took control.