HOA President: Duties, Responsibilities and FAQs

The HOA president plays an integral role in the success of any homeowners association. This person is responsible for many things, including leading the board and the residents. Homeowners need to understand the roles and responsibilities of the board president. In doing so, they can keep the president in check and possibly run for the position themselves.

Who is the HOA President?

Every homeowners association has a board of directors responsible for managing, maintaining, and operating the community. This board governs the residents and is governed by state laws and the HOA documents. It does not possess unlimited power; instead, it gets its authority from state laws and the governing documents.

The homeowners association president serves as the leader of the board of directors. Along with the vice president, secretary, and treasurer, the president is an officer position. Other non-officer board members are called board members or directors.

What are the Duties of an HOA President?

Being president is no easy task. The president juggles a multitude of tasks, which can vary from one association to another. For specific HOA president duties, referring to the association’s governing documents, particularly the bylaws, is imperative.

That said, the HOA president responsibilities generally include the following:

Leading the HOA board of directors
Ensuring the association functions effectively and efficiently
Overseeing decision-making and activities
Getting the final say over non-unanimous decisions
Presiding over and ensuring efficient meetings
Establishing meeting agendas
Defining the governing documents, including the CC&Rs and bylaws
Supervising the finances of the association, including budgeting, together with the treasurer
Signing and executing contracts and other legal documents
Liaising between the association and its vendors, including the HOA management company
Administering the day-to-day operations of the association

The board president typically has a hand in everything. They work alongside other officers and board members to carry out their responsibilities. When there is a conflict, disagreement, or argument, the president must resolve the issue. Board members and officers also turn to the president with questions or concerns.

What are the Powers of the HOA Board President?

The powers of the HOA president depend on state laws and the governing documents. They typically cover the following:

Appointing committee members
Presiding over board elections
Serving as the main signatory for legal documents, contracts, and checks
Setting meeting agendas
Representing the association in external affairs
Acting as the community’s spokesperson

The president generally influences initiatives. They call for votes and announce the results of a vote or election. That said, they don’t have unilateral power. Although they can serve as tiebreakers, their power is still limited by the board’s approval. The HOA board works as a unit, and the president can’t just act independently.

Who Chooses the HOA President?

The homeowners choose the president of an HOA. The process typically begins with a call for nominations when the president’s role is open. Homeowners can nominate themselves or others for candidacy. Candidates can then campaign for their roles. Elections take place at the annual meeting.

It is worth noting that the exact requirements and processes can differ from one association to another. Furthermore, there may be cases wherein the president is appointed depending on state laws and the HOA’s bylaws. In Texas, for instance, the HOA board may appoint members to fill vacant positions, and these appointed members will only serve the remaining time left on the term.

Who Can Fill the Role of HOA Board President?

The requirements and qualifications to become the president of the homeowners association will depend on state laws and the HOA’s governing documents. In Texas, for instance, there are no specific qualifications. That means even non-members can become the HOA president if the association’s bylaws are silent.

Typically, an HOA will only allow homeowners who are in good standing to serve on the board. Some communities require board members to have no existing conflicts of interest, ongoing litigation with the HOA, or outstanding violations.

That said, there are some restrictions that state laws might prohibit. For example, in Texas, eligibility requirements for board members may not include the following:

Bylaws may mandate that at least one board member resides in the subdivision, but they cannot impose this requirement on all board members.
Two individuals from the same household cannot serve on the board simultaneously in associations with more than 10 lots.
Any board member convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude within the past 20 years may be immediately removed and barred from future board service.

Felony convictions can interfere with the association’s insurance. Some providers charge higher premiums or even deny coverage to HOAs with board members who have past felony convictions.

Does the HOA President Get Paid?

No, the HOA president typically does not get paid. It is important to remember that board members are volunteers and don’t receive compensation for their service. Most state laws and HOA bylaws even prohibit payment to board members.

Does the President Have to Pay HOA Fees?

Yes, the president of an HOA must continue to pay fees or dues to the association. They don’t get special treatment or perks just because they are on the HOA board. All board members must still fulfill their financial obligations to the HOA.

Who Does the HOA President Report To?

The president does not report to anyone in particular, but they are accountable for all association matters, decisions, and affairs. Anyone in the community can question the president. If the president is competent, they will know the answers to the questions. Additionally, the president must adhere to state laws and the association’s governing documents.

Can the HOA President Get Sued?

It is not uncommon for a disgruntled homeowner or vendor to sue the HOA and even name the president in the lawsuit. Fortunately, board members have some built-in legal protections within their governing documents. Furthermore, most HOAs have sufficient D&O insurance coverage to protect the board members.

What Qualities Should an HOA President Have?

To fulfill the HOA board president’s responsibilities, there are certain qualities a person must have. These include the following:

Willingness to learn
Commitment to serving the association
Strong communication skills
Leadership skills
Delegation skills
Detail-oriented
Problem-solving skills
Ability to mediate and resolve disputes

Above all else, the president must put the association’s best interests before their own. Their actions and decisions should always put the HOA first.

How Can I Become HOA Board President?

Homeowners who wish to run for HOA president should first understand their governing documents. The bylaws, in particular, should contain the election requirements and procedures. Once nominations are open, homeowners can volunteer as candidates or ask neighbors to nominate them.

During the campaign season, candidates should use available resources to spread their platform. The moment of truth will finally arrive at the annual meeting, where elections will take place.

A Great Leader

The HOA president is a leader of the community. Homeowners who wish to serve as the president of their HOA should understand the requirements and processes involved. Moreover, they should work to ensure they have the community’s best interests at heart.

Graham Management offers exceptional HOA management services to Houston communities. Call us today at (713) 334-8000, request a proposal, or contact us online to learn more!

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HOA President: Duties, Responsibilities And FAQs