Homeowner Association Manager and Property Manager –
is there a Difference?
Hint: YES!
Contrary to popular belief, homeowner association (HOA) management functions are very different from that of a property manager role. The roles and titles are often understood to be the same, primarily because both functions are involved in the management of housing communities, but they are vastly different! However, depending on the community type, the two roles may work in conjunction with each other, even though the job responsibilities are completely unlike.
Property Managers
Let’s start with the most familiar role which is that of the property manager. A property manager works to establish rents for a home or unit and screens applications of potential tenants. Typically, the property manager is employed by a homeowner to manage and care for a home. Property managers have the authority to evict tenants in situations such as non-payment of rent or a breach of the rental/lease agreement.
The property manager is also charged with performing preventative maintenance to keep theproperty in good condition. A primary role for a property manager is to ensure that repairs are made as quick as possible for such events as leaks, pest control, landscape maintenance, etc.
The one way in which property managers and HOA managers are similar, is they both deal with a myriad of complaints such as maintenance repair requests, noise complaints, neighbor complaints, etc.
HOA Managers
The HOA manager’s job scope is very different from that of a property manager. First, let’s start with defining what a homeowner’s association is. A homeowner’s association is typically a planned community development or condominium complex whereby the owners, also known as members, share in the responsibility to maintain and pay for certain common elements within their community. The owners elect a board of directors to oversee the management and maintenance of the community.
This is where the HOA manager comes in, to oversee the governing documents and to work with the board. The governing documents outline the responsibilities for the HOA board which can include:
The HOA manager then fulfills these essential functions, while working closely with the board of directors. The manager:
At the end of the day, An HOA managers main role is to create community within their managed neighborhoods, while property managers focus on individual properties. It’s as simple as that!
Property Managers
Let’s start with the most familiar role which is that of the property manager. A property manager works to establish rents for a home or unit and screens applications of potential tenants. Typically, the property manager is employed by a homeowner to manage and care for a home. Property managers have the authority to evict tenants in situations such as non-payment of rent or a breach of the rental/lease agreement.
The property manager is also charged with performing preventative maintenance to keep theproperty in good condition. A primary role for a property manager is to ensure that repairs are made as quick as possible for such events as leaks, pest control, landscape maintenance, etc.
The one way in which property managers and HOA managers are similar, is they both deal with a myriad of complaints such as maintenance repair requests, noise complaints, neighbor complaints, etc.
HOA Managers
The HOA manager’s job scope is very different from that of a property manager. First, let’s start with defining what a homeowner’s association is. A homeowner’s association is typically a planned community development or condominium complex whereby the owners, also known as members, share in the responsibility to maintain and pay for certain common elements within their community. The owners elect a board of directors to oversee the management and maintenance of the community.
This is where the HOA manager comes in, to oversee the governing documents and to work with the board. The governing documents outline the responsibilities for the HOA board which can include:
- Maintenance of common areas such as parks, swimming pools/spas, playground, entry monuments, etc.
- Establish policies for enforcement, collection of assessments, prepare the financial reports, bind insurance as required to cover common elements and directors and officers, approve a Reserve Study for common element replacement, and of course develop the annual budget.
- Oversee and/or hire management company to oversee this work and other outside contractors, etc.
The HOA manager then fulfills these essential functions, while working closely with the board of directors. The manager:
- Is responsible for the well-being of the community and its occupants, managing on behalf of the board of directors the common areas of the property/community.
- Assists the board with the preparation of the annual budget which then sets the assessments or the amount to be paid by each property owner for the upkeep of the common areas of the community.
- Prepares and assists with the running of association meetings with the board of directors, where crucial community decisions are made.
At the end of the day, An HOA managers main role is to create community within their managed neighborhoods, while property managers focus on individual properties. It’s as simple as that!
