Suppose you live in a condo. As you may already know, many condos and neighborhoods have homeowner associations (HOAs). If you plan to remodel your unit, there are certain permissions you need to get from your HOA, as well as municipal permits.
Sometimes, an HOA board can tell a condo owner to make an interior change. For example, they could ask you to replace your water heater if it's old and has the potential to damage common property if it malfunctions.
Besides interior changes, here are some HOA board responsibilities to remember if you become a board member someday.
HOA Board Duties: From the President to the Treasurer
Not to be confused with the HOA board of directors, the HOA board member roles consist of the President, Vice President, and Treasurer. To clarify, the board of directors serves as the governing body of the HOA. They set the budget, enforce rules and regulations, and hire contractors, including an association management company, if needed.
Meanwhile, HOA officers report to the board of directors and homeowners. They help the HOA run more efficiently. For example, the President leads all the meetings, so electing one with excellent public speaking skills is ideal.
As for the HOA Vice President, they assume the President's duties when the latter is sick, out of town, or otherwise incapable of fulfilling their regular tasks. On the other hand, the Secretary takes care of all the documentation within the association.
Lastly, the HOA Treasurer handles the association's funds, ensuring that there's enough reserve for unplanned expenses. They should also manage these funds to cover any approved investments. Note that it's not uncommon for an HOA community to delegate specific financial responsibilities to a reputable property management company.
What to Expect as a Newly Elected HOA Officer
Let's say you recently became an HOA board member or officer. The best scenario is for an association property management company to step in and guide you through the last six months of what's happening in the community.
Keep in mind that as an officer, you often have to vote on issues that may not be popular with residents. Therefore, you must not let yourself be swayed by external influences since you're enacting your duties to improve HOA living standards continuously.
Also, don't forget about the term limits. Some elect HOA board officers yearly, while others allow two- or three-year terms. Regardless of how long you'll remain as an officer, the most important thing is to always act in good faith, be courteous, and avoid personalizing issues.
Doing Your Best for the Community
As an HOA board member, you have a lot of responsibilities. These can be lighter if you work with an association management company.
If you're looking for one in Santa Clara, CA, we can help. As a member of the PMI family, we have all the resources to serve different types of communities. Our ability to customize services to meet the needs of each community we manage is incomparable.
Let's make your community one of the best today. Call us at 510.399.2004 so we can get started right away.
