HOAleader.com - Tip of the Week - February 26, 2010
Published: Fri, 02/26/10
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Help Homeowners in Your HOA with a Model Code of Conduct
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In a recent tip we discussed our model code of conduct for HOA
board members (http://www.hoaleader.com/public/363.cfm). But
boards aren't the only ones who could use a model code of conduct.
Homeowners could use one too.
Now, in a new article, we've posted a model code of conduct for
homeowners in a community association. Based on input from
experts from across the country, it's a great tool for new owner
orientation, or as a reminder to longtime owners.
For this week's tip, we offer two points to include in any
model code of conduct for owners.
1) Be engaged.
Start with the basics. Make sure your board and management
company always have current contact information for you and
your tenants if you're renting out your unit. Attend as many
meetings as you can. Don't wait to be asked to participate in
your community. Ask what you can do to help. And when you're
asked--whether it's to vote, to respond to a request for
information from your board, or to volunteer for a committee
or the board--do it willingly. When homeowners aren't engaged,
the burden of running your association falls on the shoulders
of the few--and your association fails to benefit from the
wisdom of diverse voices and opinions.
2) Always comply with your governing documents.
First concentrate on your own property to make sure it's well
maintained. Then, even when you disagree with them, follow the
rules. They're there so that *everyone* can enjoy the community.
Following the rules also helps you build a case when you're
frustrated with a neighbor's rule breaking and ask the board to
get your neighbor to comply. How can you expect the board to
enforce rules against your neighbors if you're not following
the rules yourself? If you're not sure whether something you'd
like to do is permissible, ask a board member or your manager
before you take action.
To read all 10 tips in our Model Code of Conduct for Homeowners,
see our new article: http://www.hoaleader.com/members/396.cfm
Best regards,
Matt Humphrey
President
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Recent articles posted at HOAleader.com:
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Owners in Your HOA Need Guidance? Use a Model Code of Conduct for
Homeowners
We've created a model code of conduct for HOA boards, but
homeowners have responsibilities, too. We've asked our experts
for their best advice on the conduct homeowners should always
follow, along with conduct homeowners should avoid. Here's a list
that you can distribute to all owners in your association.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/396.cfm >
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Can Your HOA Fine Owners for Slacking?
This week's tip addresses two common problems: lazy owners and
the need for additional revenue. Can your homeowners association
kill two birds with one stone by financially penalizing owners
who don't attend meetings, vote, or volunteer by imposing a "
nonparticipation" fee on them?
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/394.cfm >
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Can Your HOA Impose "Nonparticipation" Fees on Complacent
Homeowners?
You'll probably never be able to get all your homeowners to
volunteer for association duty. But is there a way to financially
penalize those who don't attend meetings, vote, or volunteer by
imposing a "nonparticipation" fee on them? Even if you can, is it
a good idea? Are there alternatives that would build
participation in a positive way? We've got answers.
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/393.cfm >
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HOA Facilities: A Roadmap for Identifying Common Elements
This week's tip answers the deceptively simple question: What is
a common or a limited common element?
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/public/392.cfm >
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Discussion Forum Follow-Up: What's a Common Area in My HOA?
A reader on the HOAleader.com discussion board asks a question
many associations end up grappling with: What's a common area? A
handful of owners in our reader's townhome have decks, rather
than concrete slabs, which everybody else has. The governing
documents don't reference maintenance for decks. Our reader
wonders: Who's responsible?
Click here to read full article:
< http://www.hoaleader.com/members/391.cfm >
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