What are the Homeowner’s Association’s basic responsibilities?

A Homeowners Association (HOA) has several core responsibilities to ensure the community's proper functioning and maintenance. These typically include:

1. Maintaining Common Areas

  • Upkeep of shared spaces, such as parks, pools, clubhouses, sidewalks, and landscaping.
  • Ensuring these areas are clean, safe, and well-maintained.

2. Enforcing Rules and Regulations

  • Ensuring homeowners comply with the community's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and other rules.
  • Managing violations and issuing penalties or fines when necessary.

3. Collecting Dues and Assessments

  • Setting and collecting regular dues to fund maintenance, repairs, and HOA operations.
  • Imposing special assessments for significant projects, such as repairing roads or replacing roofs on shared buildings.

4. Budgeting and Financial Management

  • Preparing and managing the HOA's budget to allocate funds effectively.
  • Maintaining financial reserves for emergencies and large expenses.

5. Managing Disputes

  • Resolving conflicts between homeowners or addressing disputes related to CC&R violations.
  • Serving as a neutral body to maintain community harmony.

6. Organizing Meetings and Elections

  • Holding regular board and membership meetings to discuss HOA matters and keep homeowners informed.
  • Organizing elections for board members and voting on key issues.

7. Overseeing Architectural Standards

  • Reviewing and approving or denying homeowner requests for property changes to ensure compliance with community guidelines.
  • Maintaining the overall aesthetic and value of the neighborhood.

8. Providing Communication and Transparency

  • Sharing updates, meeting minutes, budgets, and other relevant information with members.
  • Responding to homeowner inquiries and concerns.

9. Hiring and Managing Vendors

  • Contracting service providers for landscaping, security, maintenance, or repairs.
  • Overseeing vendor performance to ensure work is completed to standard.

10. Legal Compliance

  • Ensuring the HOA operates in accordance with state laws (e.g., Davis-Stirling Act in California) and its governing documents.
  • Representing the HOA in legal matters, if needed.