What Is HOA Management?
What a management company does, how the main service models compare, what it costs and how to choose, in plain English.
Quick answer
HOA management is the professional administration of a homeowners or condominium association on behalf of its volunteer board. A management company collects dues, keeps the books, coordinates vendors, communicates with owners and supports enforcement and meetings. The board still governs; the manager carries out its decisions. Also called community association management or homeowners association management.
What an HOA management company does
Financial management
Assessment billing and collection, accounts payable, bank reconciliation, monthly financial reports, annual budget preparation and delinquency tracking.
Vendor and maintenance coordination
Bids, work orders, contractor oversight, insurance verification and tracking of repairs from request to completion.
Homeowner communication
Answering owner questions, sending notices and statements, and keeping a record of every interaction.
Covenant enforcement
Inspections, violation notices and follow-up carried out under the governing documents and board policy.
Board and meeting support
Agendas, notices, minutes, annual meetings and elections, and guidance on process.
Records and compliance
Maintaining governing documents, resale and payoff paperwork and the deadlines state law requires.
For a longer breakdown, read what an HOA management company does and how HOA property management works.
Four ways to manage an association
Full-service management
A dedicated manager and back office handle operations, finances and communication. Best for larger or amenity-rich communities and boards that want to step back from daily work.
Financial-only management
The company handles billing, collections, payables and reporting, while volunteers handle everything else. A middle path for smaller associations.
Self-management with software
The board runs the association using dedicated software for accounting, payments and communication. Lowest cost, highest volunteer workload.
Remote management
Cloud-based service with no on-site manager. Works well for communities with limited on-site needs and engaged boards.
Compare in depth: self-managed vs. professionally managed and remote vs. full-service management.
How much HOA management costs
Management is usually priced per unit per month, with the rate set by community size, service level, amenities and location. Larger communities typically pay less per unit, and add-on fees for items such as collections, resale documents or extra meetings can change the total. Ask every company for an itemized proposal so you compare the same scope.
See the cost breakdown in our HOA management cost guide or our pricing page.
What to look for in a management company
- Real-time board access to financials, not only a monthly PDF.
- A named point of contact and a plan for when that person leaves.
- Clear vendor standards: who is vetted, insured and accountable.
- Responsive homeowner communication with a record of every request.
- Plain contract terms for fees, add-ons, renewal and termination.
- References from boards in communities like yours.
Use our eight questions to ask before hiring and the step-by-step search process.
HOA management by location
Association Property Managers has local offices in East Lansing, Michigan and Dublin, California, and provides remote management support to associations in other states. Laws and licensing rules differ by state, so explore the guide for your state.
HOA Management Questions
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