Running For The Board Of Directors In Your HOA

Written By: Benny L. Kass
Thursday, May 26, 2016

Question: I want to run for election to our Communitys Board of Directors. What exactly does the Board do? What can it not do? Please advise.

Answer: If you really want to be on your Board of Directors, you must first do your homework. You must read your States statute dealing with community associations whether you live in a condominium or a homeowner association, and you must read -- and understand -- your associations legal documents.

There is a power source recognized in community association law. This means that when you seek guidance as to what a board can -- and cannot do -- you must first look to the applicable state statute. If there is a specific prohibition contained in that law, it will usually be the end of the discussion.

However, state laws are general in nature; they usually deter to the specific documentation >

The next level of this power source are your operational documents: first the declaration in a condominium or the Master Deed in a HOA. Next, we turn to the Bylaws, and finally the rules and regulations.

I am often guided by a legal opinion issued by the high Court in the State of Florida. In analyzing the role of a particular Board that was involved in litigation, the Court in effect said the following: If something is in the Bylaws, the Board can be unreasonable; if it is not in the Bylaws, the Board must be reasonable.

Service on a Board of Directors is an unpaid, thankless task. Yet, a major investment -- your home -- is at stake, which is why many owners make the difficult decision to serve their community.

Many community associations are big business -- with revenues often exceeding other businesses and even local governments -- although most unit owners and many Board members do not understand this. Budgets often exceed a Million Dollars annually. An Association Board must deal with a wide variety of issues -- such as pet and parking restrictions, crime on the common grounds, trash, tot lots, employment and tax issues.

Money issues:

Finance and budgetary matters are perhaps the most important function of a Board of Directors. The Board must establish an annual budget, so the amount of the owners assessments can be determined.

But it is important to remember that a Board of Directors establishes policies and procedures; the Board is not -- and should not -- be the manager. Many writers have likened community associations to a mini-government. In this context, consider the Board as the legislative arm of government, and your property manager as the executive branch.

Work closely with your property manager; dont fight him/her all the time. There has to be a team effort, and the team generally includes the property manager, the attorney, and the accountant. You probably do not have the expertise -- nor the experience -- to craft your own budget, but the buck stops with the Board of Directors. If next years budget is too low -- or if there are unforseen emergency expenditures -- you will have to pass a special assessment. Go tell that to your friends and neighbors

Rules and enforcement:

Another important function of the Board goes to the enforcement of the association documents, including but not limited to, architectural covenants. Boards in the past have often harshly and strictly attempted to enforce their rules; as the result, homeowners throughout this nation refer to their architectural control committees and Boards fondly as the "local KGB."

There is no question but that the rules and regulations must be enforced. The law is quite clear that arbitrary and selective enforcement will not stand the test of litigation. However, common sense -- and a bit of humanity and heart -- must be part of the enforcement process.

The Board has to adust to new and developing issues, such as the use of drones over the common elements, as well as the potential impact that such groups as AIRBNB may have on your community.

The Community Association Institute has a publication entitled "Be Reasonable." Permit me to quote from this material -- which should be read by every Board member of every community association in America:

"Its time for associations to write responsible rules and review existing restrictions. To eliminate restrictions that are outdated and illogical, and to address specific problems with clear, specific solutions. To realize that overzealous, unreasonable boards of directors can be more damaging to property values than the violations they so vigorously try to prevent. Its time to be reasonable."

And finally, lets get one thing straight: if you are on an ego trip, or me>



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