HOA vs Community Association in Calgary

They are not the same organization

Calgary communities can be served by more than one organization at once. A community association is a volunteer-run organization that focuses on community advocacy, programs and events. A homeowners' association or residents association is a separate corporate body that owns or maintains specific assets and is often funded by a fee tied to property titles.

The City of Calgary publishes general information distinguishing community associations from residents/homeowners associations. Read that page alongside each association's own governing documents.

• Community association: generally voluntary membership, community programming and advocacy.
• Homeowners / residents association: often mandatory, frequently secured by an instrument registered on title.

A regional exception: GlenEagles in Cochrane

GlenEagles Community Association describes an annual rent charge registered against every lot. Payment is mandatory despite the community-association name. Use the specific organization’s governing documents and the property title to determine the obligation; the name alone cannot answer it.

A worked example: Discovery Ridge

In Discovery Ridge, the New Discovery Homeowners' Association maintains selected manicured landscape assets and charges a mandatory annual fee secured by an encumbrance. The Discovery Ridge Community Association is a separate organization handling community advocacy and events. Paying one does not pay the other.

What to verify

Before removing conditions, establish which organizations apply to the specific address and what each one charges.

• Order a current Certificate of Title and read every registered instrument.
• Ask the association in writing whether the address is subject to its fee.
• Confirm whether a condominium corporation also applies.