Nearly 20% of Texans live in neighborhoods that have homeowners associations (HOAs), and new laws that went into effect earlier this year have provided more rights to those property owners regarding the use of their property.

Here are five property-related upgrades or additions that HOAs can no longer prevent homeowners from doing:

1. Install a solar-energy device on the property.
2. Install and use rain-harvesting devices.
3. Display certain religious items on the entry of the property.
4. Install roof shingles that are wind and/or hail resistant, energy efficient, or solar generating.
5. Fly the U.S., Texas, or a branch of the U.S. armed forces flag.

Each of these rights apply to condos as well. It's important to note that a homeowners association may place some parameters on these rights. Learn more about these new laws governing homeowners associations in the article "Taming the HOA" from the May 2012 issue of Texas REALTOR®.