Homeowners associations (HOAs) are very popular. Currently, more than 74 million Americans live in neighborhoods governed by one. They can make communities more pleasant places to live, which also helps maintain home values.
HOAs are often governed by a board of volunteer members. Serving on one is a lot of responsibility, and demands a lot of time and effort.
Below is a brief guide to common HOA board member responsibilities. Keep reading to learn about services and practices you can put in place to help make your neighborhood stand out from the rest.
Financial Management
One of the main HOA board roles is to manage the finances of the community. This entails collecting monthly or annual dues, and then distributing these funds accordingly. These and other matters are usually discussed at monthly HOA meetings.
It means putting together a budget and ensuring that the association sticks to it. This also involves retaining financial records and reporting to residents about how money is being spent.
Grounds Maintenance
The next major responsibility of HOA boards is to maintain community grounds and buildings. This can include everything from lining up pest control, HVAC maintenance, grounds upkeep, and more.
It can involve scheduling inspections or repairs for roads, sidewalks, or entryways. Also, HOAs may be responsible for coordinating and overseeing community improvement projects. These include amenities like dog parks, community gardens, and walking trails.
Besides budgeting for maintenance and special projects, this entails soliciting estimates from contractors. Board members might interview companies for regular services. Examples include landscaping or community pool upkeep.
Enforcing Community Standards
One of the main responsibilities of an HOA board is creating and enforcing community standards. These often include allowable house colors or other aesthetics, like the uniformity of mailboxes.
Community rules can dictate the types of vehicles (like boats or motor homes) you can have parked on the property. Standards extend to the type of structures that residents can put up.
Most HOAs have a permitting process for anyone wishing to make changes to their property that are covered by community standards. For instance, a resident may submit an application to erect a shed or change the color of their home. It is the responsibility of HOA board members to review and approve these.
Finally, HOA boards levy and collect fines for anyone in violation of neighborhood standards. In extreme cases, it can involve seeking liens on properties where residents refuse to pay fines or annual fees.
Learn More About HOA Board Responsibilities
Now that you understand the main duties of an HOA board, you will have a better sense of the types of services you should be providing to your community. This can be a lot of work, but it is vital to improving your neighborhoods and the lives of residents.
PMI First State is a full-service property management company. We provide a range of services, including HOA management and board member resources. Reach out to us today to learn more about association management and how it can help free up time for your HOA.
