Self-Management

To self-manage or not to self-manage? Managing an Association is hard work.  Some Associations successfully self-manage, but many underestimate the amount of work involved in doing so.

When considering self-management, the Board must thoughtfully consider if you have the time, energy, the will, and the right people to self -manage.

It is vital to the Association that records are kept properly to avoid liability. A self-managed Association must maintain its own minutes, assessment payment records, records of enforcement proceedings, budgets, contracts and bids, and owner information and complaints.

If the Association has active collection or litigation matters, the Board must decide who will be attending hearings. In addition, the Board must be responsive to requests from our office for updated owner accounts and feedback on proposed settlement agreements, etc., as some matters will be quite time-sensitive.

The Board should also keep in mind that they will become the “go-to” people for members when they have complaints, repair requests, or even emergency calls in the middle of the night.

It is important for a self-managed Board to be educated on your own governing documents and rules, as well as Ohio laws that cover your Association.

It is also crucial to remain neutral and even-handed regarding all management and enforcement issues.  You cannot become lax in your duties because you like your neighbor, nor can you seek to punish a neighbor with whom you do not see eye-to-eye.

These are just some things to consider before embarking on self-management. As with anything, we are happy to answer any questions that the Board may have.

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