HOA Management Blog

Community associations have a lot in common with municipal governments. As members of a governing body -- and typically also members of the homeowner’s association -- HOA board members should meet regularly to discuss and vote on important community issues, like paying the Association’s bills, funding reserves and contracting with vendors to keep community amenities in good repair. The Board makes decisions about these and other important topics using a democratic process.

It’s that time again in your homeowners association – time for the Annual Director Election. To be proactive and try to drum up participation from the membership, the HOA board may want to send out a notice to the members asking for volunteers to assist in this process. The notice could include the following:

Did you know you can request a copy of the CC&Rs that detail just about everything you need to know about the HOA, prior to becoming a member? You can and you should! One of the important factors is how much you will be paying in monthly HOA fees.

Fire can be a fear of residents within a homeowners association. They can break out in all sorts of situations, so it’s always good to remind owners in your community about fire safety. 

Did you know that nearly two-thirds of all kitchen fires start on the range or cook top? To prevent fires in your kitchen, here are some helpful tips to pass along to members in your Association:

The presidential race is in full-swing and everyone is gearing up for the home stretch of campaign season. While some people prefer to keep their opinions to themselves, others want you to know exactly who they’re voting for and why. How does all this come into play when you live in a homeowner’s association?

Firstly, it’s inappropriate for the HOA board to act politically. In other words, the Board as an entity should declare a “side” so to speak. That being said, it can support both sides of the political spectrum by doing the following.

Believe it or not, the air inside the homes in your homeowners association may be less healthy than the air outdoors. Modern and well-insulated homes can actually trap pollutants, thus raising their potential for harm. Several common houseplants, however, can help your community breathe easier by increasing oxygen levels and removing toxins from the air -- who knew?! 

Driving at night can be tricky, especially through poorly lit homeowners association neighborhoods or dimly lit landscapes. It’s important to keep in mind a few basic guidelines to make sure you and your vehicle both are well-prepared for the trip. Consider the following suggestions to help get you to your destination safely.

If your homeowners association property has been damaged in a natural disaster—hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or fire there are some important steps you can take in the immediate aftermath to ensure your safety and minimize financial loss. Consider the following actions:

It’s time for some seasonal cleaning in your homeowners association. Out with the old and in with the new – but what do you do with the “old” when it’s not quite ready for the landfill? Donating used items is a great option as long as you do a little homework to find out which local organizations and donation centers are most appropriate for the items you’d like to give away. Use the following tips as a guideline for determining what goes where and how to get it there.

How does the reserve fund in your homeowners association look? If your fellow HOA board members tend to look the other way, not want to deal with the reserves, or simply refuse to fund them, you’re not alone. Many Associations across the country aren’t saving enough in their reserves to make major repairs which can cause a multitude of problems. The community can fall into disrepair, you may be faced with having to enforce a special assessment on homeowners, or eventually losing control of the entire Association.