Your question is a bit ambiguous, but I'll try to answer it as best I can. Homeowner Associations do not "own" properties within an HOA. Generally a HOA manages a subdivision. By that I mean that there are 'public spaces' which MIGHT be owned by a management company - but usually not. Those Public Spaces are maintained by the management group, they are not owned by them. The public spaces are often actually easement areas - land that is subjected to placement of infrastructure like electrical boxes, light poles, sidewalks, signage and entry lights, drainage ponds and decorative planting areas. HOA dues that are paid are what pays for the services such as snow plowing, trash removal, lawn mowing, landscaping, electricity, maintenance of signs. HOAs are generally formed with a specific time frame assigned to them. By that I mean an association is formed for 25 years (or so). After that time, the HOA restrictive covenants expire, the formal charter may remain in place though. In my HOA, which is now 30 years old, it is voluntary to pay dues, and the covenants have expired. The HOA board of directors, through their own interest, keep the older HOAs viable by continuing the original intent of the charter of the HOA. If there is a private home within the legal boundary of the HOA, but that private home does not belong to the HOA, then that homeowner will not receive benefit of HOA unless they decide to pay dues to HOA, or initiates a form of contractual agreement with HOA for services to be provided. Much of this advice will change from state to state, but this is generally how the legal structure of an HOA is done and maintained.