Are HOAs even a thing outside of the US ? I know I’ve never seen that concept here in Canada at least.
It’s certainly a thing for owning apartments in a multi-apartment building. We call it Eigentümerversammlung and I hear they’re quite the hassle to deal with, too. Kind of hard to avoid having to have, though
Yes it is, it’s just not as crazy, but it exists everywhere.
If several houses share a private road, it will be necessary to make an agreement with all the homeowners on maintaining the road.
Similarly with privately owned apartments. If they need new windows, it’s generally in everybody’s interest that the entirety of homeowners agree on the colour of windows.
There are usually some sort of home owners association anywhere where homeowners own part of the common areas.
It’s still possible to buy a house without one, but many new build suburban sprawl have them by default because the placement off public roads and the developers wanting to have everything look at a certain standard before the houses are sold to individuals.