Homeowners Have the Right To:
1. A responsive and competent community association.
2. Honest, fair and respectful treatment by
community leaders and managers.
3. Participate in governing the community association
by attending meetings, serving on committees
and standing for election.
4. Access appropriate association books and
records.
5. Prudent expenditure of fees and other assessments.
6. Live in a community where the property is
maintained according to established standards.
7. Fair treatment regarding financial and other
association obligations, including the opportunity
to discuss payment plans and options with the
association before foreclosure is initiated.
8. 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.
9. Appeal to appropriate community leaders those
decisions affecting non-routine financial responsibilities
or property rights.
Homeowners Have the Responsibility To:
1. Read and comply with the governing documents
of the community.
2. Maintain their property according to established
standards.
3. Treat association leaders honestly and with
respect.
4. Vote in community elections and on other
issues.
5. Pay association assessments and charges on
time.
6. Contact association leaders or managers,
if necessary, to discuss financial obligations
and alternative payment arrangements.
7. Request reconsideration of material decisions
that personally affect them.
8. Provide current contact information to association
leaders or managers to help ensure they receive
information from the community.
9. Ensure that those who reside on their property
(e.g. tenants, relatives, friends) adhere to
all rules and regulations.
Community Leaders Have the Right To:
1. Expect owners and non-owner residents to
meet their financial obligations to the community.
2. 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.
3. Respectful and honest treatment from residents.
4. Conduct meetings in a positive and constructive
atmosphere.
5. Receive Support and constructive input from
owners and non-owner residents.
6. Personal privacy at home and during leisure
time in the community.
7. 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.
2. Exercise sound business judgment and follow
established management practices.
3. Balance the needs and obligations of the
community as a whole with those of individual
homeowners and residents.
4. Understand the association’s governing
documents and become educated with respect to
applicable state and local laws, and to manage
the community association accordingly.
5. Establish committees or use other methods
to obtain input from owners and non-owner residents.
6. Conduct open, fair and well-publicized elections.
7. Welcome and educate new members of the community-owners
and non-ownerresidents alike.
8. Encourage input from residents on issues
affecting them personally and the community as
a whole.
9. Encourage events that foster neighborliness
and a sense of community.
10. Conduct business in a transparent manner
when feasible and appropriate.
11. Allow homeowners access to appropriate community
records, when requested.
12. Collect all monies due from owners and non-owner
residents.
13. 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.
14. Provide
a process residents can use to appeal decisions
affecting their non-routine financial
responsibilities or property rights where permitted
by law and the association’s governing
documents.
15. Initiate foreclosure proceedings only as
a measure of last resort.
16. Make covenants, conditions and restrictions
as understandable as possible, adding clarifying “lay” language
or supplementary materials when drafting or revising
the documents.
17. 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 Institute (CAI) is a national
organization dedicated to fostering vibrant,
responsive, competent community associations.
Founded in 1973, CAI represents association-governed
communities, such as condominium and state
chapters, visit www.caionline.org or call CAI
Direct at 703-548-5600. |
