An HOA fee is a regular fee that homeowners within an association must pay to maintain all properties, shared amenities, and common areas within the association. These fees are typically paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, and are established by the board of directors based on a projection of the HOAs annual budget. The fees are used to pay for services such as maintenance and upkeep of the shared amenities, property maintenance, repairs, and civic services such as waste management, snow removal, pest control, lawn care, utilities, and security. The amount of the fee varies depending on the type of property, services provided, and the general cost of living in the area. The fees can range from less than $50 to more than $1,000 per month, with the average ranging from $170 to $300 per month. The fees are paid on top of mortgage, property tax, and homeowners insurance payments, and are not tax-deductible for a primary residence, except for rental properties.