 | A home owners association is defined as a residential development in which each owner is
bound to a real estate organization by a set of governing documents that require adherence
to a set of rules and the payment of assessments. The money collected in assessments is
used for the operation of the association. Membership is automatic when property is
purchased – it is not a voluntary organization. |
| Associations unfolded at the turn of the century as America struggled to control both
urban growth and suburbanization by emphasizing carefully designed development practices,
supported by municipal laws and private covenants, that would maximize profit for both the
builder and the home owner. |
| Some people call associations the most representative and responsive form of democracy
found in America today. Residents of a community freely elect neighbors to serve on the
Board of Directors of the community. And, numerous other owners or residents, serve on
committees or help with special tasks as they arise. |
| Board members and committee members are volunteer leaders who meet regularly to discuss
pertinent details about running their community. An association board meeting is
comparable to a town council meeting of municipality. Other professionals may assist, but
the volunteers from the community associations are clearly in charge of the operation and
governance of their associations. These people are almost always unpaid volunteers, who
devote their personal time to managing the affairs of their community. |
| Community associations provide a variety of services, including maintaining common
areas. And they help protect property values by insuring compliance with rules and deed
restrictions. |
