We Like This Manager, But Are They Qualified?

by Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL | Apr 15, 2019 | Articles, HOA Homefront

Previous columns addressed management options and contracts. After selecting the desired type of management services, how can a board know if a manager prospect is qualified? California managers are unregulated, with no required license or minimum education. Rental managers must have real estate broker licenses, but not HOA managers. There is a wide range of qualification and experience in the field, and credentials indicate experience and commitment to the management profession. Certified Common Interest Development Business and Professions Code 11502 allows one to be called a “Certified Common Interest Development Manager” after 30 class hours in certain topics from a professional association of common interest development managers. Section 11504 requires managers to annually disclose whether they qualify as “Certified” and prohibits managers from falsely claiming to be certified. While certification is not mandatory, the disclosure is. The organizations educating and credentialing California managers are the Institute of Real Estate Management (“IREM”); California Association of Community Managers (“CACM”), Community Association Manager International Certification Board (“CAMICB”), and the Community Associations Institute (“CAI“). IREM IREM is a national organization, with about 18,000 manager members, offering education and credentials regarding all forms of property management. Although its managers are mostly non-residential, over 300 of its members in California hold a residential management credential called the “Accredited Residential Manager (ARM)”. The ARM requires 44 class hours in either rental property management or CID management. The ARM does not qualify for “Certified” status in California. CACM CACM is a California organization, founded in 1991 by a group of veteran managers. 1,618 active managers currently hold CACM’s primary credential, the Certified Community Association Manager (“CCAM”). The...

Association Management: Associations Have Options

by Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL | Apr 1, 2019 | Articles, HOA Homefront

Choosing management assistance is one of a board’s most important decisions. Even the smallest associations will benefit from some form of professional management. What is a “Manager”? Managers carry out the association’s day to day operations, advising and providing information to the board and carrying out its policies and instructions regarding association property and funds. A manager may be an unpaid volunteer or may be paid. The paid manager may be an association employee, a consultant, or an employee of an outside company. In California, no license is needed to manage HOAs. Volunteer management Many associations use volunteers for their management functions. The motivation for volunteer management is primarily to save cost. In volunteer management, volunteers place themselves in the role of an unpaid manager – with all of its risks and no reward. Volunteer managed associations often find it difficult to find candidates for the board, since directors work so much harder when they are also managers.  Financial management This involves collecting assessments, paying bills, and preparing monthly and annual financial reports, disclosures, and budgets. A financial manager typically does not visit the property. Management companies often prefer financial management because it is more predictable and less prone to the extra work of managing the property. Some accountants also offer financial management services. Associations struggling with the cost of full association management may wish to consider at least financial management. Property management Property management involves responsibility for keeping up the condition of the buildings and grounds and may include routine inspections for architectural violations, maintenance items and repair needs. The plumbing leak on a Sunday afternoon and the...

What Makes a Director Outstanding [Part 4] – Participation in Board Meetings

by Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL | Feb 4, 2019 | Articles, HOA Homefront

Productive and efficient meetings are not happenstance but are the result of committed and prepared volunteers, normally assisted by a great professional manager. To help bring about the best board meetings: Read the agenda packet Come to the meeting prepared, having already read the agenda and the supporting materials. The packet is provided in advance to prepare you to make the decisions presented. Reading it for the first time at the meeting disrespects the other directors, indicates lack of commitment, and delays meetings as one “gets up to speed.” Stay on topic A single director can derail discussions by moving on to a different topic before the current one is concluded. Politely remind colleagues when deliberations stray from the matter at hand. Talk to the board, not the audience Directors attend board meeting to deliberate with board colleagues, not the audience. Grandstanding by speaking to the audience disrespects other directors and encourages raucous meetings. Ask the manager for input on most motions The board’s most frequent protector under the Business Judgment Rule is the manager, so seek the manager’s input. The manager often has years of experience and training; take advantage of that background. If a manager’s input isn’t being sought, why have them in the meeting? Treat open forum as an important event and pay attention California law requires open forum at all membership meetings and open board meetings. That is the time for the board to listen to the community. Take notes and don’t interject or argue. Open forum reminds directors that they are there to serve their community, and often helps the board learn things they...

What Makes a Director Outstanding [Part 2] – Preparation

by Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL | Jan 21, 2019 | Articles, HOA Homefront

Before seeking a board seat, the best candidates should improve their readiness for service, and can: Read the governing documents at least once The governing documents are the framework (along with applicable laws) within which the board must operate. Familiarize yourself with these important documents. Most likely, the majority of the neighbors have not read them. Take particular care in reviewing the use restrictions in the CC&Rs, and carefully read all the HOA rules. One of the main tasks as a director is not only to enforce and implement those documents but also to educate and inform the neighbors, most of whom will not be familiar with the “do’s and don’ts.” Join CAI CAI is the only nationally respected resource for homeowners, promoting better community governance and prepared volunteers. Read CAI’s free introductory publications “Introduction to Community Association Living,” “From Good To Great,” and “Rights and Responsibilities for Better Association Communities,” available at www.caionline.org/homeownerleaders. Take advantage of CAI’s board training courses All CAI chapters offer free or low-cost courses training volunteers to better serve their communities, including a 3-hour “Basic Board Education” course, and the “Essentials of Community Leadership,” an all-day course. The Orange County Chapter offers its “Community Leadership Training Program.” Also offered annually is the California Law Course for CID Managers, an 8-hour course. The CAI headquarters also offers a four-hour interactive online seminar, called the “Board Leadership Development Workshop, accessed at www.caionline.org/bldw. Understand the business judgment rule The business judgment rule separates careful board members from liability for the decisions they make while governing the association. Learn the boundaries of that rule. Even well-intentioned directors can...

Tighter Protection of HOA Funds in 2019

by Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL | Dec 3, 2018 | Articles, HOA Homefront

Assembly Bill 2912 The most important new legislation changing how HOAs will operate is Assembly Bill 2912. AB 2912 began with the statement that its purpose is to “take important steps to protect [HOA members] from fraudulent activity by those entrusted with the management of the association’s finances.” Sponsored by the Community Associations Institute and the California Association of Community Managers, the bill received no credible opposition and passed both houses of the Legislature on unanimous votes. Civil Code 5380(b)(6) and 5502 One very significant change is the new Civil Code 5380(b)(6) and 5502. These new statutes are identical in substance and so appear to be redundant. They require that before any transfer of $10,000 or 5% of total association combined reserve and operating deposits (whichever is smaller), there must be prior written approval from the association board. This slows down the overly active board officer or lazy manager who would pay bills or transfer funds without bothering to obtain explicit board approval. One question is whether a manager could obtain permission in advance to pay certain larger recurring bills, but the intent of the statute seems to argue against this and require express permission for each individual transfer. Association boards should already be preparing for this additional step and talking to their managers about how compliance will occur. This statute does not only reference payments, but controls any “transfer” of association funds. So, advance written authorization is required not only for payments and withdrawals but also deposits and transfers between association accounts. Civil Code 5500 Civil Code 5500 has for years required boards to at least quarterly review...