HOA Management Blog
A common question asked among residents in a homeowners association is, how many board members should an association have? The answer is that it really depends on what the association's governing documents state. Typically, the number of HOA board members an association should have is found in the bylaws of the association. But in general, you should have a three- or five-member board of directors. Some have more, depending on the size of the association. A good starting place is to consult your bylaws.
An HOA board of directors has a fiduciary responsibility to the association. They're tasked with upholding the governing documents and the rules of the association. There's also the business judgment rule that says if the board receives expert advice on a topic, and they follow that expert advice, it provides them with a level of protection if there's a lawsuit against the board or the association.
Parking in a homeowner’s association is always a hot topic. From where it’s ok to park and not to park to enforcing parking rules and even issuing parking tickets, homeowners tend to be very territorial about their parking spaces - and adamant on making sure others living or visiting in the HOA don’t get away with ignoring the parking rules. That being said, sometimes you get a controlling HOA board that wants to take all parking matters into its own hands – going as far as issuing parking tickets. But can they do this?
The New Year is upon us! As an HOA board, this may be a good time to consider making resolutions that will help to make it a great year for your homeowners association. These commitments don't have to be profound and they are generally things you should be doing anyway, but it's always good to go back and review things while keeping an eye out for what might be coming your way.
How is your homeowner's association doing? Is everything running easily and smoothly? Do you have interested members at each HOA board meeting? Is your reserve fund fully funded? What would you do if you were faced with a lawsuit or an unexpected project? If you answered no to any of these questions or don’t know the answer at all, below are 5 reasons you should consider hiring an HOA manager this year.
There seems to be one in every homeowners association. That one HOA board member that consistently disagrees, goes against the majority, or at the very least enjoys playing devil’s advocate. Do you have a Scrooge – a mean spirited, miserly person – on your Board? There are ways you can deal with them.
Most people who live in a homeowner’s association know that there are certain rules to follow. There are many reasons why people might ask why we have HOA rules. You may have chosen to live in an HOA because the rules there make you feel safer and increase property values. You may have just agreed to the rules because you found your ideal home at the time and the rules came with the neighborhood. You may also be on the opposite end of the spectrum and be wondering why we even bother having HOA rules when no one in the association seems to follow them – or enforce them.
As an HOA Board member you know that HOA rules serve a valid purpose – usually. While you understand the importance of enforcing your HOA rules and regulations, it would be hard to follow through on the following with a straight face.
For the eighth time in 15 years, Americans living in homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives say they’re overwhelmingly satisfied in their communities. They are expressing strong satisfaction with the HOA board members who govern their homeowners associations and the community managers who provide professional support.
Approximately four in 10 homes in suburban America are occupied by people who rent. Even though people who rent in the HOA have no vote on homeowners association matters, they are an important part of your community. Today's renters may be tomorrow's owners - or even board members! If the unit you own is occupied by a renter here are a few tips that will help you and your renters live harmoniously in the homeowners association.
