About HOA Community Solutions
Blog site goal:
Provide helpful information for individuals trying to improve their single-family, planned residential community experience.
Like many of you, I have experienced living in several different homeowners’ associations. Some which were great and some that were truly awful. After twenty years of residing within different planned communities and simultaneously working professionally in non-profit association management, it amazed me that most HOAs didn’t consider themselves as professional associations. Many HOA leaders seemed to view their board work as a hobby or a charitable act.
Homeowners’ associations expanded rapidly during the housing boom of the last two decades. It is an industry that is drawing a great deal of negative attention and becoming increasingly controversial. HOA litigation is now also growing at an astonishing rate; making board leadership much less appealing. In Washington state, small, self-managed homeowner associations are prolific. There are hundreds of planned communities ranging from as few as 10 to 80 homes.
Small associations struggle to remain viable with only a few volunteers and very limited budgets. Homeowner apathy seems higher in these communities, yet the homeowners cannot simply disolve the association and walk away. I have yet to to discover a community that didn’t own common property or have an obligation to maintain common elements. It is unlikely that local governments will accept the responsibility for these common elements (roads, parks, water systems, storm drainage) if they were abandoned by the association.
So what is the struggling HOA to do? Affordable resources are limited or non-existent. Leaving small homeowners’ associations unable to afford the services of a management company and the few communities who can retain a management company express dissatisfaction with their services.
After seeing too many bad things happen to good people volunteering in self-managed associations, I felt that I had been ”called to service” in this industry. In January of 2008, we formed HOA Community Solutions – a hybrid consulting/management company designed to help association leaders navigate very difficult waters.
This blog is a reflection of what I have experienced and observed while working with homeowners associations in the South Sound region of Washington state. The information on the site is not applicable to condominiums, as COA laws in Washington are very different from current HOA laws. Nothing on this site should be viewed as or considered to be legal advice.
I am taking my HOA to small claims court. Who do I list as the defendant? The HOA President? The management company?
Tom
October 19, 2009
Small claims court rules vary from state to state. Some states have specific legislation written for homeowners to allow them to sue their HOA’s for things like the right to access association records, election results or dispute fines that have been levied against you. However, other states restrict your ability to bring claims against corporate entities (like an HOA). You will need to do some research on this in our own state and circuit court. Typically, attorneys cannot represent you in small claims, but if you can afford to consult with an attorney prior to filing the claim, it would be wise to get guidance from a local attorney regarding the limitations in your state and thus, the proper wording for your claim.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t ask, “I assume that you have already tried talking with your HOA and made a reasonable effort to find a solution before deciding to sue?”
hoacommunitysolutions
October 20, 2009
I attended the meeeting in SE Pierce CO. last night and wished I had know you were going to speak as I would have encoraged a few more of our board to come. You are a good speaker and have great information! Thank you. Am enjoying your blog as well.
Janet Van Wieringen
November 4, 2009
This site is an excellent resource for volunteer HOA boards. Keep up the good work.
Jim Boone
January 7, 2010
“Vehicle Parking” No resident, property owner or visitor may park commercial vehicles, vacation trailers, motor homes, boats, or more than two private automobiles within view of other residents; EXCEPT for motor homes or vacation trailers on a pad approved by the Architectural Committee
This is taken form your cc&r’s Does it mean we are only allowed 2 car in view of other residents?
John
March 7, 2011
We purchased a house here in WA about 3 years ago. During this time the only contact we have had with the HOA is to mail in our yearly dues. There have never been any meetings held. Since the manner in which this HOA is run seems to be lackadaisical I am wondering if I still need to get my paint choices approved. I am not even sure who is on the board. And what exactly can they do to us if we paint and they want to be persnickety about our color scheme? We are not planning on doing anything I think would be considered weird or property de-valuing. (I have run the palette by several people and they are of the same mind) Thank you for any insight you may have.
Ginger
July 3, 2011
My CC&R’s state that no renters are allowed to reside in our HOA community, Yet I have 5 on my block alone. I purchased the house simply because there were not supposed to be any renters. So can you tell me if I can take legal action against the HOA?
brandon
November 26, 2011