Every HOA has a Board in place to help things run smoothly and efficiently. The Board is made up of volunteers, and performs many different jobs. Ultimately, the HOA exists to serve homeowners in the community, and the work done by HOA Board members ultimately impacts everyone.
Hopefully, your HOA Board is committed to service… and specifically, to serving homeowners in three basic ways: By enforcing the rules, by collecting assessments, and by managing the community. Let’s briefly look at what each of these categories entails.
Enforcing the Rules of the HOA
The first way in which the HOA Board serves homeowners is in enforcing the rules.
Of course, none of us really like being told what to do, but every HOA has some basic, common sense rules and regulations, summarized in the governing documents. Anyone who buys into the HOA agrees to follow these rules, which exist to make sure the community is run smoothly and fairly, and also that property values are upheld.
It’s critical that the Board enforces these rules impartially, because doing so is in everyone’s best interests; clear and consistent enforcement of the rules can minimize conflict, and help homeowners safeguard the value of their properties.
Collecting HOA Assessments
The second way in which the HOA Board serves homeowners is by collecting assessments.
Collecting assessments help maintain the stability of the Association, and it ensures that there are sufficient resources for preserving common areas. Additionally, the collection of assessments helps create a reserve fund, which can be used to cover the costs of major repairs or emergency maintenance issues.
Again, this is something that can sometimes ruffle feathers, as nobody particularly likes to pay assessments, but it’s something all HOA members agree to, and it’s ultimately for everyone’s benefit.
Managing the Community
The third job of the HOA Board is to manage the community. This often means hiring a professional management company and other contractors to oversee day-to-day operations, whether that’s legal, financial, or related to groundskeeping.
Additionally, the HOA Board champions projects and initiatives that will improve the quality of life in the HOA and make it a more welcoming community for all residents.
These are the major areas of focus for any effective HOA Board. If you have any questions or want to learn more about professional management for your Association, we invite you to contact Kuester Management today.
