What is a homeowners association?

The Association is a legal corporation organized and incorporate under the laws of your state or commonwealth.  The Association has Articles of Incorporation that entitle the association to exercise powers of a corporation (the Articles can be found under Documents on this site).  Membership in the association is mandatory and automatic for all owners.  The deed to your home specifically designates that the property owner will comply with the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions of the association.  You should have received these documents at the time of your closing on your unit.  As a property owner in a community association, you will be required to pay assessments, abide by the community’s rules and restrictions and maintain those areas of your home for which you are responsible. 

What is the purpose of the Board of Directors and what is their role?

Your Association is a not-for-profit corporation.  The Board’s responsibility is to run the business of the corporation.  This includes collection of assessments as well as payments made for services provided to the Association.  In general, the Board members are the decision makers of the Association.  The Board consists of individual homeowners who live within the community and who are elected to that position by the members of the Association.  All affairs of your association are governed by the Board of Directors.

What is a “common area”?

A common area refers to all property leased, owned, or maintained by the Association; in Wordsworth this would include everything outside your home.  This is mainly for the sole use and benefit of the members in your Association.