Secret Meetings by Board of Directors

As a homeowner, have you noticed that some meetings of the HOA Board of Directors are during the day while everyone is at work?

I was employed by a HOA management company that would set meetings during a weekday so that most homeowners could not attend. They wanted to approve expenses for a project, increase the monthly fee to the management company or change a vendor hired by the community. Many management companies have a rapport with certain vendors and try to place them on every property they manage. They will encourage the Board of Directors to fire the current vendor and hire another one. I've seen times where the "vendor" just happened to be married to someone employed by the management company. There were times where the "vendor" was married to a Board member.

The Board has complete power to spend the homeowner’s money, hire vendors, hire management companies and make all decisions for the community. The homeowners usually only have voting power during the election process. That's why each homeowner should diligently research every person running for the Board of Directors in the HOA community. Most homeowners don't want to get involved. I'd rather be on the Board to make sure there is no "hanky panky" going on.

The secret meetings, by law, should be announced. In some states, the notice of meetings can be placed in a conspicuous location within the community. Some HOA management companies will place this notice by the mail boxes. Who reads these? My experience tells me that very few people will read it. The management company will make it very "bland" with no color and no letterhead. They don't want to draw your attention because the meeting will be "easy" for the Board and management company if fewer homeowners show.

Homeowners, get involved! Attend the HOA Board of Directors meetings every month. Let the Board and the HOA management company know that eyes are watching them. Don't forget that you, as a homeowner, (in most states) can request a copy of monthly financial statements. The management company frowns on this and may charge you for copies. It won't be much but you need to know what's going on. Don't let the management company and Board of Directors shut you out. It's your money that keeps the checking account funded.

You would be surprised if you knew how much management companies charge your community for management services. It's on the financial statements!

HOA management is big business and the Directors carry the power. Elect the right people on the Board. Do your homework prior to checking a name on the ballot.