If you're new to living in a condo or planned community, the concept of a homeowner's association (HOA) can be a little foreign. You own your home, but you also have an HOA board as part of your life. What's that all about?
In fact, the HOA board is there to make your life easier and more comfortable. They help to organize the care of the communal areas and facilities of the property. They also protect your investment by helping everyone to follow the rules.
But what are the HOA board's responsibilities? Who are the HOA board members? Should I become one?
Let's explore all these questions and more as we look at everything you need to know about HOA board responsibilities.
How the HOA Board Works
Just like a corporation, a homeowners association needs a board of decision-makers to oversee its smooth running.
The HOA board is typically made up of members of the community - your neighbors. Board members are elected by the community.
Usually, the board is quite small. Depending on the size of the community is could be as small as 3 members, or as large as 7.
The HOA board members have different functions. Typically, there will be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. Any other members are simply general members of the board.
What the HOA Board Does
The HOA board is responsible for running the HOA. Typically, the HOA is responsible for:
- Making and enforcing HOA rules
- Collecting HOA fees
- Organizing the maintenance and improvement of the common areas
The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) guides the HOA. HOA board members and all residents should become familiar with it.
These are the bylaws - the rules that everyone must live by. It's important to be familiar with the HOA rules if you do not want a polite but firm notice making you aware of them when you paint your fence the wrong color.
One of the most important HOA responsibilities is budgeting. They need to budget for the ongoing maintenance of the property. This includes having funds for regular maintenance, landscaping, window washing, and snow removal.
They must also plan for future capital projects. This could include installing new fencing, making major renovations, or large-scale repair projects.
Along with this, the homeowners association must ensure that the property complies with all relevant laws. This includes laws set by the State of Washington and any federal laws regarding their particular type of community.
How an HOA Management Company Can Help
There is a lot of work and responsibility involved in being an HOA board member. However, you can have the satisfaction of helping your neighbors and keeping your community safe and pleasant.
Working with an HOA management company can help to make the process much smoother. They can help to foster good communication between all parties. You get the benefit of their experience and expertise and the help of a neutral third party.
Choose Invest West Management for Your HOA
Is your HOA board struggling to keep things moving forward?
Don't struggle alone. Choose Invest West Management. We have over 40 years of experience in helping homeowners associations to manage their properties.
We are a full-service management company. Our services include:
- Community building services
- Vancouver association governance services
- Property management services.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can be of service to your HOA.
