Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities

Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities

Every community has its own history, personality, attributes, and challenges, but all associations share common characteristics and core principles. Good associations preserve the character of their communities, protect property values, and meet the established expectations of property owners and homeowners. Great associations also cultivate a true sense of community, promote active homeowner involvement, and create a culture of informed consensus. The principles below can serve as an important guidepost for board and committee members, community managers, homeowners and property owners, and nonowner residents.  


RECOMMENDATION

Homeowners have the right to:  

  1. A responsive and competent community association.  

  1. Honest, fair, and respectful treatment by community leaders and managers.  

  1. Participate in governing the community association by attending meetings, serving on committees, and standing for election.  

  1. Access appropriate association books and records.  

  1. Prudent expenditure of fees and other assessments.  

  1. Live in a community where the property is maintained according to established standards.  

  1. Fair treatment regarding financial and other association obligations, including the opportunity to discuss payment plans and options with the association before foreclosure is initiated.  

  1. Receive all documents that address rules and regulations governing the community association—if not prior to purchase and settlement by a real estate agent or attorney, then upon joining the community.  

  1. Appeal to appropriate community leaders those decisions affecting nonroutine financial responsibilities or property rights.  

Homeowners have the responsibility to:

  1. Read and comply with the governing documents of the community.  

  1. Maintain their property according to established standards.  

  1. Treat association leaders honestly and with respect.  

  1. Vote in community elections and on other issues.  

  1. Pay association assessments and charges on time.  

  1. Contact association leaders or managers, if necessary, to discuss financial obligations and alternative payment arrangements.  

  1. Request reconsideration of material decisions that personally affect them.  

  1. Provide current contact information to association leaders or managers to help ensure they receive information from the community.  

  1. Ensure that those who reside on their property (e.g., tenants, relatives, and friends) adhere to all rules and regulations.  

Community leaders have the right to:

  1. Expect owners and nonowner residents to meet their financial obligations to the community.  

  1. Expect residents to know and comply with the rules and regulations of the community and to stay informed by reading materials provided by the association.  

  1. Respectful and honest treatment from residents.  

  1. Conduct meetings in a positive and constructive atmosphere.  

  1. Receive support and constructive input from owners and nonowner residents.  

  1. Personal privacy at home and during leisure time in the community.  

  1. Take advantage of educational opportunities (e.g., publications, training workshops) that are directly related to their responsibilities, and as approved by the association.  

Community leaders have the responsibility to:

  1. Fulfill their fiduciary duties to the community and exercise discretion in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the community.  

  1. Exercise sound business judgment and follow established management practices.  

  1. Balance the needs and obligations of the community as a whole with those of individual homeowners and residents.  

  1. Understand the association’s governing documents and become educated with respect to applicable state and local laws, and to manage the community association accordingly.  

  1. Establish committees or use other methods to obtain input from owners and nonowner residents.  

  1. Conduct open, fair, and well-publicized elections.  

  1. Welcome and educate new members of the community—owners and nonowner residents alike.  

  1. Encourage input from residents on issues affecting them personally and the community as a whole.  

  1. Encourage events that foster neighborliness and a sense of community.  

  1. Conduct business in a transparent manner. Only use executive sessions under circumstances permitted in the association’s governing documents, permitted by local or state law, or as necessary for the conduct of sensitive or confidential business matters.  

  1. Allow homeowners access to appropriate community records when requested.  

  1. Collect all monies due from owners and nonowner residents.  

  1. Devise appropriate and reasonable arrangements, when needed and as feasible, to facilitate the ability of individual homeowners to meet their financial obligations to the community.  

  1. Provide a process residents can use to appeal decisions affecting their nonroutine financial responsibilities or property rights—where permitted by law and the association’s governing documents.  

  1. Initiate foreclosure proceedings only as a measure of last resort.  

  1. Make covenants, conditions, and restrictions as understandable as possible, adding clarifying “layperson” language or supplementary materials when drafting or revising the documents.  

  1. Provide complete and timely disclosure of personal and financial conflicts of interest related to the actions of community leaders, e.g., officers, the board, and committees. (Community associations may want to develop a code of ethics.)  


Approved by the Government & Public Affairs Committee, September 20, 2011

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, October 13, 2011


Related Links

  • Advocacy Priorities Regarding Community Values