A condo association’s board of directors is a government in miniature. The board members have been elected by the condo owners to conduct the association and handle condo property, which the board can do directly or by employing a manager. Condo owners rely on the board to resolve community issues which range from construction damage to unruly inhabitants.
Rules and Covenants
The first priority for a condo board of directors is to execute its responsibilities in accordance with state law and the governing documents of the condo association, the Condo Lawyers site states. The directors are also responsible for enforcing the covenants–the rules for residents–and doing this uniformly and fairly, including obeying the very same rules . That responsibility requires the directors to review complaints, determine if the covenants are violated, and impose penalties on owners that have broken the rules. In case it becomes necessary to alter or revise the rules, that is also the board’s responsibility. Beyond the requirements especially written into regulations and the governing documents, directors are bound to act in their official capacity in the best interests of the association.
Care
Condo owners manage repairs on their own units, but it is the board’s job to repair issues with the common regions –the building’s exterior, the halls and amenities like a swimming pool or tennis court. The board must arrange for routine inspections and maintenance and, even in case multiple repairs are necessary, the directors need to set priorities for which issue needs fixing first. In some cases, the board may place projects out to bid, in the event the directors must review the bids and decide on the best one. Many institutions hire a manager to take care of such problems, but the ultimate legal responsibility goes back to the board.
Finance
It is up to the board of directors to take care of the condo association’s cash. Each member of an association is assessed a fee which funds association operations, like repairs and administration. It is the directors’ job, as stated by the Condo Lawyers site, to review the next year’s budget and place the yearly fees to pay for services while maintaining a reserve for emergencies. The directors must take action against owners who do not pay; in case an owner continues to refuse, the directors have an obligation to the other association members to take the fight .