As a community association, your job is to help make sure that both homes and common areas are safe as your community enters winter and again as winter begins to pass on into spring.

Homeowners Association (HOA) membership is often mandatory for much of Florida.

As an HOA board member, you must uphold and follow the association’s governing documents.  Below are some frequently asked questions

The president may have been running the association single-handedly for a long time or they think they are a big shot in the business world and rule with an iron fist. Whatever the motivation, the homeowners association president becomes a dictator and it’s not acceptable.

Foreclosed homes are nothing new to homeowners associations but can become a real problem when squatters get involved. Read on to learn how to prevent squatters and how to remove them legally.

The problem of stray animals in HOA communities is a common one. But, there are some measures HOA boards can take to prevent strays from loitering and discourage residents from feeding them.

It can be a frightening ordeal to consider the possibility of fraud in your community, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your HOA.

Social media can be a valuable communication tool for HOAs. But, you must adopt a strict HOA social media policy to keep members in check and avoid potential liability.

1099s for HOAs are often overlooked in the mad dash to wrap up the fiscal year, so make sure you have your 1099-MISC tax forms in view as you prep your contractor payments. Ideally, this procedure should be done by the end of the year, before April's tax season. 

In last week's post, we explored practical tips on how to start an HOA social committee and the social committee roles it occupies. Social committee guidelines also call for a social chairperson, so we will focus on social chair responsibilities this week.

One of the many benefits of HOA living is that homeowners share the costs of keeping up the HOA community, with economies of scale usually reducing the individual price. The association's duties are nothing more than the individual homeowner has–they're just shared.

Pets can be integral members of a family and, thus, integral members of a community. The average homeowners association, or HOA, welcomes four-legged residents with open arms. HOA pet restrictions can help ensure that all residents of the HOA feel safe and comfortable while also creating safeguards against things like excessive barking and noise.

Governing homeowners associations include documents, including the bylaws and the CC&Rs. However, there will come a time when you will need to amend those documents. Continue reading to learn how to change HOA bylaws and CC&Rs.

Most states have laws that establish a homeowner's right to inspect HOA documents. Based on the hierarchy, these laws will precede any stipulation you may have in your governing documents. As such, homeowners can request copies of official records for whatever purpose.

HOAs are governed by many rules and regulations — to a point where it may confuse board members and homeowners alike. To avoid a misunderstanding, familiarize yourself with the homeowners association documents and which HOA documents take precedence in your community.

It's essential to remember that there's a proper way to go about this. The secretary should record HOA meeting minutes for any meeting the HOA board holds. Here, we discuss that and provide you with a helpful HOA meeting minutes template.

Workers' compensation insurance, or workers' comp for short, provides wage replacement and medical benefits to employees who injure themselves while on the job. In exchange, employees waive their right to sue their employer for the tort of negligence.

The HOA finance committee fulfills many essential responsibilities, especially in a self-managed community. With a capable finance committee, the HOA board will find it easier to manage its financial duties.

An HOA mold problem is often a point of contention since there is usually a debate on which party is liable for it. Does it fall under the association's responsibility, or should the homeowner answer to the charges? Read on to learn more!

When you buy a home in an HOA, you automatically become a member of that HOA. That comes with certain obligations, such as paying regular dues and routine property maintenance. But, it also comes with the benefit of using common amenities and spaces. And those dues you pay maintain the association's common areas.