HOAs vs. Property Managers: 4 Key Responsibilities

You know about homeowner’s associations and you’ve heard of property managers, but do you know what they do, and where their duties and responsibilities start and end? To help you differentiate between the two, below are a few of their key responsibilities:

On management duties:

1. Homeowners associations manage a specific residential community

Residential communities, neighborhoods, and housing complexes are often governed by a homeowners association or HOA. The HOA’s general responsibility is to manage the residential community; making sure that homeowners comply with <a=rel”no follow”href=”https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/story/2019-10-19/many-new-laws-will-affect-hoas-in-2020″>rules and regulations that pertain to property maintenance and neighborhood conduct, and basically, work with the HOA to maintain specific community standards.

2. Property managers oversee a specific property (or cluster of properties owned by the same entity)

If an HOA manages an entire residential community, a property manager oversees a specific property or cluster of properties owned by the same person or entity. In other words, they are only concerned with the specific property assigned to them or for which they were hired. Usually, their services are required for rental properties; working on behalf of the property owner.

On similar duties and responsibilities

3. HOAs oversee the maintenance of common areas, collect dues, hire contractors for repairs, and vet potential homeowners

As mentioned above, HOAs manage an entire residential community, which means they are also responsible for maintaining common areas and public facilities like swimming pools, fitness centers, playgrounds, and such. If anything needs to be repaired, they will oversee the hiring of contractors and workers (this may also extend to repairs needed by homeowners for their own homes).

Additionally, HOAs may also interview people interested in renting or buying a property in their community to evaluate whether or not they are a good fit for the community. Last but not the least, HOAs are also responsible for collecting HOA dues and other fees.

4. Property managers vet tenants, hire contractors, oversee property maintenance, and collect rent and dues

Just as HOAs evaluate potential homeowners, property managers also evaluate potential tenants. This is done to make sure that not only will they be good renters in terms of taking care of the property but more importantly, that they are good payers. In other words, the property manager has to make sure that the tenant has the financial capacity to pay rent in full and on time every month.

They may also oversee the hiring of contractors and laborers for work that needs to be done on the property (for repairs and maintenance).

On HOAs and property managers working together

HOAs are run by volunteers who comprise the Board of Directors and Board Members. They are residents of the same community and they typically have day jobs and personal responsibilities to take care of every day. To ensure that the HOA remains functional for the benefit of the community and homeowners, they may hire a property manager to help them with some of their duties and responsibilities.