Clear, honest guidance for boards and managers — the finances, governance, and meetings that keep a community running well.
These guides walk through the recurring, high-stakes tasks a volunteer board or a new manager takes on: building the reserve fund, planning an annual budget, collecting dues and handling delinquency, understanding board responsibilities, running meetings and quorum, and deciding when a special assessment is unavoidable. Each one is written to be read start to finish, with a frequently-asked-questions section for the specific follow-up questions boards ask most.
Start with whichever guide matches what your board is working on this month — a new treasurer typically starts with budgeting and dues, while a board handling its first significant repair usually starts with the reserve fund guide. Pair a guide with the matching free calculator to turn the concepts into your community's actual numbers.
What goes on an HOA or condo board meeting agenda, in what order, with time limits, a worked sample agenda, and the mistakes that make meetings run long.
9 min readPlanning a Successful HOA Annual MeetingA practical guide to planning an HOA or condo annual meeting, covering notice, quorum, agendas, elections, minutes, and running the meeting smoothly and well.
8 min readHOA Fining and HearingsHow HOA and condo boards impose fines fairly, covering notice, hearing rights, due process, escalation, documentation, and why procedure matters so much.
8 min readWriting Fair HOA Pet PoliciesHow HOA and condo boards write clear, enforceable pet rules covering breeds, limits, leashes, and waste, while respecting assistance animal law and owners.
8 min readResolving HOA DisputesPractical steps for HOA and condo boards to de-escalate disputes with owners and neighbors, run fair hearings, use mediation, and avoid costly litigation.
8 min readBuilding Effective HOA CommitteesHow HOA committees work: the common types, what a committee charter should include, standing versus ad hoc committees, and how boards keep them accountable.
8 min readHOA Architectural ReviewHow the architectural review process works in an HOA: submitting a request, what the committee evaluates, timelines, approvals, denials, and fair appeals.
8 min readHOA Elections and VotingHow HOA elections work: nominations, ballots, proxies, quorum, and counting votes fairly, with practical steps boards can follow to run a clean election.
8 min readTransitioning From Developer ControlWhat a developer-controlled HOA is, when turnover to an owner board happens, the documents and funds to secure, the inspection to run, and the first steps.
9 min readHOA vs Condo Association: What Is the Difference?Learn how an HOA differs from a condo association, who owns what, how dues and insurance work, and how each community is governed in the US and Canada.
8 min readHOA Rules and Enforcement Done FairlyUnderstand CC&Rs, bylaws, and rules, and learn how to enforce HOA rules fairly and consistently with notice, hearings, and clear records that hold up.
8 min readHOA board member responsibilitiesHOA board member duties in plain language: the fiduciary duty, what the president, secretary and treasurer do, what a board cannot do, and how to serve well.
8 min readHOA meetings, quorum & minutesHow to run valid HOA and condo meetings: proper notice, reaching quorum, conducting business fairly, and keeping minutes that hold up. Plus why quorum failures stall associations.
7 min readIs an HOA a Strata? HOA vs Strata vs Condo CorporationIs an HOA a strata? What Canadians call an HOA by province, how a strata or condo corporation differs from a US HOA in fees, boards, bylaws and disputes.
8 min readWhat HOA capital contribution, working capital, and transfer fees are, who pays at closing, where the money goes, and how a board should record them.
8 min readHOA Reserve Study Basics for Board MembersHow an HOA or condo reserve study works: what is in it, how to hire a provider, how to read percent funded and the funding plan, and what the board does next.
10 min readHow to Write an HOA Collection PolicyWhat an HOA or condo collection policy should contain, a step by step delinquency timeline to adapt, payment plan terms, and how to apply it evenly.
10 min readHOA Fraud Prevention and Financial ControlsHow HOA and condo boards prevent fraud with internal controls, dual signatures, audits, and clear separation of duties. Practical steps for board members.
8 min readHOA Financial Statements ExplainedUnderstand HOA and condo financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, budget comparison, and reserve reports, in plain language.
8 min readEstoppel and Status CertificatesUnderstand estoppel certificates in the US and status certificates in Canada, what they disclose at resale, who prepares them, and common pitfalls to avoid.
8 min readHOA Fees ExplainedWhat an HOA fee is, what monthly or yearly dues pay for, why they rise, and how a capital contribution or working capital fee differs from regular dues.
8 min readHOA Liens and ForeclosureCan an HOA put a lien on your house or foreclose over unpaid fees? How delinquency escalates step by step, the due process boards owe, and what owners can do.
9 min readThe HOA reserve fundWhat an HOA reserve fund is, what a good reserve fund level looks like, how a reserve study sets the target, and when a loan or assessment fills the gap.
9 min readHOA budget planningA practical, step-by-step guide to building an HOA or condo annual budget: operating costs, reserve contributions, setting dues, and avoiding the shortfalls that lead to special assessments.
8 min readCollecting HOA dues & handling delinquencyHow to collect delinquent HOA dues step by step: a written collection policy, reminders, late fees, payment plans, a collection agency or attorney, and liens.
8 min readHOA special assessmentsWhat an HOA special assessment is, why boards levy one, how often they happen, emergency assessments, whether they are tax deductible, and how to avoid them.
7 min readHow Much Does an HOA Reserve Study Cost?What drives HOA reserve study cost: study level, community size, component count and site visits, how often to update it, and how to get comparable quotes.
9 min readHOA Accounting Software: What a Board Actually NeedsWhat HOA accounting software must do that bookkeeping tools do not: fund accounting, owner ledgers, dues billing, late fees and board reporting.
10 min readHow to Choose an HOA Reserve Study CompanyHow to choose an HOA reserve study company: credentials, independence from repair work, local versus remote providers, a request checklist and red flags.
9 min readQuickBooks for HOA Accounting: What Works and What Is MissingUsing QuickBooks for HOA accounting: how to set up funds, owners and dues, what it handles well, the gaps it leaves, and when to move to something else.
9 min readBC Strata Depreciation Reports: The 2026 DeadlineBC strata corporations with five or more lots need a current depreciation report by 1 July 2026 in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Capital Regional District.
12 min readDepreciation Report vs Reserve Study: The Same Thing?A depreciation report and a reserve study answer the same question under different names and rules. What each term means, where they differ, and which one you need.
10 min readA step by step plan for moving an HOA or condo to new software: what data to export, how to time the cutover, reconcile balances, and bring owners along.
10 min readSelf-Managed HOA Checklist for Volunteer BoardsA working checklist for self-managed HOA and condo boards: monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks, who owns each one, and what to hand to a professional.
10 min readHOA Emergency and Disaster PreparednessA practical guide for HOA and condo boards on emergency planning, communication, insurance, and recovery after fires, floods, storms, and other disasters.
8 min readManaging HOA Capital Improvement ProjectsHow HOA and condo boards plan, fund, and manage capital improvement projects, from scoping and bidding to owner approval, financing, and vendor oversight.
8 min readNew Owner Onboarding for HOAs and CondosA step-by-step guide for HOA and condo boards to welcome new owners, share rules and fees, collect contact details, and set expectations from day one.
7 min readHOA Amenity ManagementLearn how HOA and condo boards manage shared amenities like pools, gyms, and clubhouses, including rules, bookings, budgets, liability, and access control.
8 min readHOA Communication Best PracticesPractical communication tips for HOA and condo boards, covering channels, notice requirements, transparency, tone, and handling difficult owner conversations.
8 min readHOA Maintenance PlanningBuild an HOA maintenance plan that covers routine, preventive, and long-term work, links to reserve funding, and keeps common areas safe and well maintained.
8 min readHOA Technology and SoftwareA plain guide to what modern HOA and condo software does, covering dues, communication, records, maintenance, and reserves, plus how to pick the right tool.
8 min readManaging HOA Parking RulesA practical guide to writing and enforcing HOA and condo parking rules, from assigned spaces and guest parking to towing, notice, and consistent enforcement.
8 min readHOA Vendor ManagementHow HOA and condo boards select vendors, compare bids, write contracts, verify insurance, and oversee work while protecting the association from liability.
8 min readHOA Disclosure and ResaleWhat an HOA resale package and resale certificate contain, who prepares them, typical fees and timelines, and how boards give buyers accurate disclosures.
8 min readHOA Record KeepingHow long an HOA needs to keep records, which records owners can access, how to get a copy of your HOA bylaws, and how boards should handle a records request.
7 min readHOA and Condo Insurance: What You NeedA plain-English guide to HOA and condo insurance: master property policy, general liability, D&O, fidelity, umbrella coverage, and how owner policies fit in.
8 min readSelf-Managed vs Hiring a Management CompanyCompare running a self-managed HOA against hiring a management company: cost, workload, expertise, and the clear signs it is time to switch either way.
8 min readHOA Violation Letter Samples: First Notice to FineThree HOA violation letter samples you can copy: a courtesy first notice, a formal second notice with hearing rights, and a fine notice you can adapt.
10 min readDues, payments, violations, ARC, documents, voting, and a resident app — all in one place. Free to start, no credit card.