Do you ever feel like there’s a disconnect, even a division between your HOA Board and the homeowners in general?
Hopefully not—but if you do feel like relations between homeowners and the Board are a little frosty, that’s not by accident. There are several factors that can contribute to the breakdown in these relations. It might be helpful to consider some of them, and to think about ways in which you could work to improve things.
In some cases, for example, the problem is poor communication of expectations. A lot of HOA Boards that we see become trigger happy, so to speak, with violation notices, punishing and penalizing homeowners without first taking the time to clearly, effectively communicate the rules. Make it a top priority to communicate the expectations of your Board, and cut back on violation notices.
Sometimes the problem is that homeowners feel the Board doesn’t represent them. The solution here is to get more of them to meetings. Double your efforts to advertise Board meetings, and urge homeowners to attend and have their voices heard.
Still another potential issue: The perception that your Board has not accomplished anything positive for the community. If that’s the problem you’re dealing with, the solution is simple: Start touting your wins. Make it clear what your accomplishments are and detail the big projects that are still ongoing. Leave no doubt that the Board is getting things done.
Above all, exercise some empathy. Put yourself into the head of your homeowners. Think about your Board’s activities from their perspective, and see if that doesn’t provide some insight into why homeowners might be less than thrilled with the HOA Board’s governance.
Your HOA is on the side of homeowners—so whatever else you do, remember that, and make it clear to everyone in the community!
