What is an HOA Committee?

Every HOA has a board of directors that is in charge of maintaining the community. However, community management often comes with a long (and constantly changing) list of tasks and urgent priorities, which can be overwhelming and slow down progress if things aren’t completed on time. To avoid this and ensure items are completed, associations often call on homeowners within the community to volunteer on various HOA committees. 

These committees oversee a variety of topics, from landscape and maintenance to safety, finances, and architectural control. Here’s a quick rundown of HOA committees and their role within an HOA. 

What are the benefits of an HOA committee?

Committees are an essential part of HOA communities. Apart from supporting the HOA board, they can provide services that the community needs to succeed. 

First, they provide valuable assistance to the Board. Because board members are homeowners and may not have extensive management experience, having a committee work alongside them means that board members can delegate some of the tasks and responsibilities to volunteer homeowners. HOA committees can take care of the more basic tasks, while board members can focus on bigger HOA duties.

And lastly, these committees are a great way to help foster community engagement. Residents can become involved in community matters by being part of a committee, and have a voice in matters such as maintaining property values and resident safety. Joining HOA committees not only fosters community engagement, but it also helps the HOA board accomplish important community tasks.

What are the different types of HOA committees?

There are actually quite a few different types of HOA committees, each with its own focus within the community. Depending on the size of the association, its specific needs, and resident preferences, it’s up to the Board and the HOA to determine which committees it needs the most. Here are a few of the most common types of HOA committees.

• Budget/Finance Committee: Budget committees play a critical role in the operations of a homeowners association. Members of this committee help the board plan the annual budget, track monthly expenses, manage HOA reserves and investments, schedule audits and reserve studies, and other financial management tasks. Since the work of a budget committee generally has to do with finance, members should have some level of familiarity with the subject matter.
• Landscaping Committee: A landscaping committee is largely responsible for researching landscaping companies, securing bids, and interviewing potential candidates. This committee also coordinates with the chosen company, oversees all landscaping work, and provides the HOA board with progress updates. While members with landscaping knowledge are a plus, it’s not a requirement.
• Social Committee: The HOA social committee is in charge of planning community events and making sure that homeowners have the opportunity to meet their neighbors. This committee can host a welcome party to introduce new homeowners to the neighborhood, and schedule annual events like holiday parties and summer festivals.
• Communications Committee: The HOA communications committee ensures that residents are always informed when it comes to community news or updates. Committee members may be in charge of the community newsletters, email blasts, HOA website, and HOA social media accounts. They can also help familiarize the new homeowners with the community’s rules and processes.
• Architectural Committee: An architectural committee is responsible for enforcing the community’s architectural standards. This committee reviews design applications from homeowners and determines whether they comply with the architectural guidelines stated in the CC&Rs, then approves or denies them accordingly. An architectural committee is one of the most important committees in an HOA – without one, the community risks losing its uniform aesthetic and diminishing curb appeal. This, in turn, can lead to lower property values.

Every HOA board must learn how to form committees the right way. Generally, the process of creating HOA committees involves checking the HOA’s Governing Documents to see if there are HOA committee guidelines; then creating the HOA Committee Charter, recruiting members from the community, and determining the organizational structure of the committee.

HOA committees can be a fantastic asset to any HOA, especially larger ones. If you’re looking for an experienced HOA management company to help with your HOA’s administrative tasks, APS Management can help. Take a look at our HOA management services or contact us for a proposal.