Do’s And Don’ts of Homeowner Association Management

Managing a homeowner’s association challenging, and at times, it’s a bit of a balancing act. On one hand, it’s crucial to create and enforce rules for the greater good of the community, but it’s also important treat residents with kindness and respect.

To help you ensure smooth operation in your community, we’ve put together this list of do’s and don’ts of HOA management.

HOA Management Do’s

Get to know your community.

The first step in effectively running any community is getting to know it. This means not only learning everything about the property but also getting to know the members of the community. Listen to their concerns, and take the time to learn what’s important to them.

Provide excellent customer service.

Always answer phone calls and emails within 24 hours. If you aren’t sure of the answer and need more time, reach out to let the homeowner know that you’ve received their message and will get back to them as soon as possible.

Build relationships with service providers.

As a community manager, you’ll likely find yourself hiring contractors and other service providers on a regular basis. Work to build relationships with the people and companies you hire. This could result in discounts in the future and will almost always guarantee quality work.

Stay focused.

When your day is filled with complaints and one problem after another, it can be difficult to stay focused. Don’t let the challenges get to you, and even on the hardest days, keep your eyes on your goals for the community and focus on the positives, not the negatives.

HOA Management Don’ts

Never, ever lie.

Whether you’ve gotten about a task or you’re behind and won’t be able to meet the deadline, always be honest with the Board. Offer a sincere apology rather than lying to try to cover your tracks. Your honesty will get you a lot further in the long run.

Don’t take things personally.

From time to time, you’ll probably have to deal with an irate homeowner. It can be difficult, but don’t take it personally. In many instances, they aren’t actually mad at you. Keep your cool, let them vent, and do your best to determine a good solution to their problem.

Don’t assume you know everything.

No one knows everything. If you aren’t sure about something, ask questions. It’s always better to ask for information or clarification than to act on incorrect information.

Managing a community is challenging but rewarding work. For many homeowner associations, investing in professional HOA management is extremely worthwhile. At AMI, we specialize in professional HOA management in Florida. For affordable and dependable property management, contact us today.