According to an article from This Old House, there were 358,000 HOA-managed neighborhoods in the US in 2021. If you live in one of these, you probably already know how great they can be.
However, it's not uncommon for some issues to exist. HOA boards aren't always able to stay on top of their responsibilities and may need some assistance. An association manager can step in here to support an HOA and help the community as a whole.
Keep reading to find out more about the responsibilities and skills that an association manager can offer your Tampa, FL, community.
Common Area Maintenance
Common areas are a typical component of HOA communities. They're spaces that all residents can use for recreation, and some popular examples include:
- Parks
- Swimming pools
- Art studios
- Fitness centers
HOA residents must look after their own properties, but the HOA is responsible for maintaining common areas. An association manager can oversee this instead, ensuring common areas are always fit for use. Additionally, their connections with different contractors mean that may even be able to get better deals and save community funds.
Administration
HOA boards have various administrative duties to take care of. These include:
- Organizing HOA meetings
- Maintaining records
- Coordinating agendas and events
- Communicating with homeowners
- Managing contracts and agreements
The main issue with these tasks is that they can be quite time-consuming They're essential, so HOA board members might not have much time for other important tasks.
An HOA manager can take over these duties. They have plenty of experience, so they can handle them efficiently while the HOA board focuses on other responsibilities.
Financial Management
Unlike administrative tasks, HOA financial management can be very complicated. HOA boards consist of community volunteers, and it's uncommon for any of them to have experience with financial management. As such, they can often find this difficult.
Association management skills include financial management, so an HOA manager can take on this task. They have the training and experience to handle various financial duties, such as:
- Invoicing homeowners
- Collecting HOA fees
- Bookkeeping
- Creating financial reports
Leaving this to an association manager will help ensure finances are handled correctly. They'll also be less likely to make mistakes that could cost the community.
Policy Enforcement
Residents in HOA communities need to follow various policies set by the HOA board. However, it's not uncommon for some residents to break the rules from time to time.
As HOA board members are volunteers from within the community, they're often good friends with other residents. The relationships they have can make it difficult for them to enforce the policies they set.
An association manager can act without bias, ensuring everyone is treated equally. This keeps things fair and helps encourage people to not break the rules.
Hiring an Association Manager for Your HOA Community
An association manager can take on various duties to lighten the load that an HOA board is under. This helps ensure everything is covered so residents can enjoy the best quality of life.
PMI Tampa offers industry-leading association management services in Tampa, FL, and the surrounding communities. We understand that every neighborhood is different, so we tailor our services to meet the needs of each unique community. Take a look at our association management page for more information.
