HOA Management Blog
The clubhouse/recreation center is the “crown jewel” of your homeowners association, offering a common area where members can get to know one another, socialize, and entertain their guests. In order to make the clubhouse safe and enjoyable for all who use it, you need a clear access policy—and that means homeowner’s must have their association ID to access the facility.
Every organization comes with its fair share of challenges. The difference between an organization that thrives and one that just survives is how these challenges are handled. There are common issues in a homeowners association that challenge the Board’s responsibility to protect, maintain and enhance the asset. Continue reading to see if your HOA board can relate and resources to help you meet the challenges head on.
It's sometimes challenging to discuss and answer questions about parking within your homeowners association. While the rules regarding parking in each association are different here are some tips on how to answer common questions.
It seems like the majority of news stories involving homeowners associations these days are negative. You often read about disputes between neighbors, lawsuits, refusal to pay fees, or rules not being followed as outlined in the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) and Bylaws. While the governing documents serve the purpose of keeping the Association running smoothly – and are legally binding rules and regulations that each homeowner agrees to when they purchase a home in the Association – are their times when the rules can be bent? In the case of 6 year-old Ella Schultz the answer is yes!
The success of a homeowners association is based on the members and Board working together. If the community is not taken care of, it will catch up with Association, affect property values, decrease the quality of living, and create a disharmonious environment. If there is a disconnect between the Board and homeowners it takes action by both parties to create a relationship of open communication. Is your Board guilty of one of the 5 reasons below that creates a division with homeowners?
Homeowners associations offer one of the best opportunities for Americans to own their own homes. They are for the 21stcentury what land grants were in the 19thcentury, and what the New Deal and GI Bill were in the 20th. Why?
Does your homeowners association pay or compensate the Board of Directors? I recently learned of an HOA that compensated its board members for “volunteering.” Each month the board members would receive a credit on their accounts for their monthly assessments. The Board collectively felt that it was doing all the work and that it should be compensated for the time.
Are you abiding by the rules in your homeowners association? When you move into a homeowners association you become part of a neighborhood that is governed by a board of directors who enforce the rules of the Association. When you sign the Covenants, Conditions, & Restrictions (CC&Rs) of the Association, you are entering into an agreement that you will abide by the rules of the Association community. This often means you’re limited to the improvements you can make to your property (like paint color of your home, landscaping, or decorative components), whether or not you can have pets, noise restrictions, etc.
An HOA Board needs the involvement of the entire Association community to function at its best. Often this is just not possible because of the lack of homeowner commitment and involvement. No matter what is causing homeowners to stay away, steps can be taken to get them motivated in running their neighborhood Association.
Pop quiz! Do you understand your HOA fees? If you’re an informed member of your homeowners association, you should pass with flying colors. If you fail, well then, you need to plan a study session to brush up on your HOA knowledge.
