# Property Owners Association > Property Owners Association means an organized group of property holders participating in managing the shared aspects of a residential project **Term:** Property Owners Association **Last updated:** 2026-07-29 ## Definition ## What Property Owners Association Means in a Contract A Property Owners Association, often abbreviated as POA, is the legal entity formed by owners within a development to oversee common areas, shared infrastructure, and community rules. When this term appears in a contract, it usually signals that the agreement touches on shared responsibilities, such as landscaping, security, road maintenance, or recreational facilities, that no single owner controls alone. The contract typically identifies the POA as a party, a beneficiary, or a governing body whose decisions affect the signatories. Contracts referencing a POA often incorporate its governing documents, such as covenants, conditions, and restrictions, by reference. This means that even if the contract itself does not spell out every obligation, the POA's rules become binding on the parties through incorporation. Understanding this layered structure is essential because failing to comply with POA rules can trigger breach provisions elsewhere in the contract. In many cases, a