Tips for Living in a HOA
Whether you are new to living in an HOA or have lived in one for years, here are a few tips to help you make the transition to community living.
Read Your Governing Documents
When you closed on your new home, you received a lot of documents related to the HOA. Among them are the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Along with your Architectural Landscape Design Guidelines, these will give you an overview of your responsibilities as a member of this HOA.
Get to Know Your Neighbors, Get Involved in The Community
One of the advantages of living in an HOA is the sense of community. Some HOAs have websites like this one, community activities, etc. Strike up conversations with your neighbors. You may make some friendships that will last for years.
Attend the Meetings
Have a concern regarding the community? Let your Board know. They are there to serve you and the best interests of the community.
Respect Your Neighbors And Their Property
The governing documents generally have restrictions. Abiding by these restrictions will go a long way in keeping peace and a sense of neighborhood in the community.
Submit Proposed Changes to the Architectural Committee Before Making Changes
Your Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) generally require submission of some sort of plans prior to installation of any architectural and/or landscaping changes to your home. The purpose of these restrictions is to assure an overall theme running through the community. Failure to submit plans prior to installation may require you to incur the cost of removing your installation and bringing it into compliance with the governing documents. To save yourself time, money, and aggravation, be sure to submit your changes to the architectural committee before you do the work.
Be Involved
There are several committees. Look into joining one and becoming involved with the events and activities going on throughout your community.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors make all the decisions for the HOA as outlined in the Bylaws and Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs) for our community. The Powers and Duties of the Board may include:
- Approving the annual budget
- Setting the assessments annually
- Establishing rules for the common areas
- Hire/fire vendors
- Approve repairs to common areas
- Enforce the governing documents
- Pursue moneys owed to the association
The documents allow for the hiring of a managing agent to help with the day-to-day operations of a community. This is where the management company comes into play.
Management Company
The management company follows the direction of the Board of Directors. It cannot make decisions on behalf of the community.
Priestley Management Company is the management company for The Farm at Brunswick. The following is a list of some of the services PMC provides:
- Reviews community documents
- Collects assessments
- Pays invoices
- Prepares monthly financial statements
- Coordinates tax returns
- Assesses late fees per fine policy
- Establishes bank accounts
- Maintains records of meeting minutes & resolutions
- Coordinates meeting locations & sends notices to homeowners
- Provides compliance inspections and sends violation letters to homeowners
- Performs regular property inspections
- Coordinates all maintenance and repairs
- Bids jobs as requested
- Prepares agenda for board meetings
- Attends board meetings as required
- Maintains database of homeowners
- Updates board on current & pending legislation that affects Associations
- Monitors 24 hr. emergency number