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Our homes and the neighborhoods we live in can give us that safe, happy haven that we are all looking for. A well-run neighborhood can help you create great memories as well as life-long friendships. Residents and the people they choose to govern their neighborhood need to work together to build on a great working relationship.
Becoming familiar with how homeowner associations should work, the duties of a board of directors and your responsibility as a homeowner is important for a healthy, well-run neighborhood. Whether you are new to a neighborhood, new to a homeowner association or have been involved with both in the past, it’s always good to keep updated on the latest association news.
An excellent web site for information on homeowner associations is www.hoa-nc.com. The site not only has a directory of many of North Carolina associations but also has a large catalogue of articles for everyone to read.
The HOA-NC site states that it is “dedicated to providing resources that promote a better understanding and governance of townhome, condominium, and single family homeowner associations in North Carolina.“
The HOA-NC site has a good, easy to understand list of responsibilities for everyone involved in an HOA. Some of these are listed below. For details, go to the site and educate yourself.
Homeowner Responsibilities
- Understand and comply with the restrictive covenants, by-laws, and other rules and regulations.
- Pay your assessments on time.
- Stay informed and participate in the business of your homeowner association by reading the meeting minutes, attending the annual meeting, understanding the budget, and volunteering to serve on a committee or the board.
- Maintain a current address with your homeowner association. This is critical if you are a member of a homeowner association but do not live in the community. Examples include rental property, second homes, homes used by children in college or retired parents, or investment property intended for future construction.
- If your home is rental property or occupied by others, ensure that tenants/occupants understand that they must also comply with certain restrictive covenants such as parking, pets, architectural changes, and other requirements. This may also include association rules regarding use of playgrounds, pools, tennis courts, and other common areas.
- Maintain contact information for an association representative. This may be an on-site employee, a management company, a board member, or the builder/developer.
Association Responsibilities
- Maintain, protect, and enhance the value of the community.
- Govern the association in accordance with federal and state laws.
- Provide an information package to new homebuyers.
- Publish the names and addresses of all association officers and directors within 30 days of their election.
- Hold regular board meetings and an annual meeting.
- Provide an opportunity for resident participation in a ‘homeowner’s forum’ at each board meeting.
- Inform residents of annual assessments and special assessments.
- Provide an annual income statement and balance sheet to all owners within 75 days of the end of each fiscal year.
- Provide a statement upon request by a resident within 10 days of the request.
- Enforce the restrictive covenants and other governing documents in a fair and consistent manner.
- Conduct meetings in accordance with Roberts Rules.
The site also lists some of the hot questions the residents and the board members may have. Go to the site for indepth answers for these topics:
In addition to the helpful North Carolina web site, you should also check out www.caionline.org for more great helpful information.
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