A condominium owners’ association (COA) does more than just charge local property owners for the privilege of living in a community. They also serve a crucial role in preserving the investments that property owners have made.
Individual property owners within the community can run for a COA office and can then help guide the future of the community in which they live. Those considering running for office and those living in condominiums often need to be aware of the practices of the local COA and what expectations they can have for the organization.
What are the typical responsibilities that a COA board must fulfill for a condominium community?
Establishing and updating bylaws
Bylaws are rules and standards that govern homeowner behavior and community obligations. It is therefore crucial for the COA to establish bylaws when the board first begins managing the community and to occasionally update the bylaws as necessary. Bylaws may include restrictions on short-term rentals, property maintenance requirements and even limitations on pet ownership in some cases.
Enforcing community standards
One of the most difficult elements of serving on a COA board is the need to regularly enforce community bylaws and expectations. Even in scenarios where non-compliant property owners have legitimate, understandable reasons for failing to maintain their units or pay their dues, the COA board generally needs to enforce all rules consistently. Failing to do so puts the board at risk of becoming unable to engage in enforcement activities in the future.
Allowing and reviewing community feedback
Open meetings are one of the most important requirements for COA board operations. Generally speaking, boards need to hold meetings that are open to the public. They need to provide property owners with advance notice of meetings and give them an opportunity to voice their concerns. Those concerns should influence how the COA manages the community. In scenarios where property owners can reasonably claim that the COA failed in its obligations, other condo owners may be able to take legal action to remove board members or elect others to that same position.
Learning about the real estate laws that apply to COA board members can help people determine if they want to run for a position, or if they need to take action due to a COA failing in its duties. COA boards should be beneficial for property owners as a whole, and board members should seek to protect the community rather than work to benefit themselves.
