Creating an HOA owners' handbook can be as simple or complicated as you want to make it. The mission of a handbook is to make it easy for owners and residents to follow the HOA's rules and to get things done. The trick is to keep a handbook small and readable so that people will use it.
One way to start is to simply rewrite the HOA's bylaws or covenants into understandable language. This can be done by making a list of topics and writing simple explanations. Another is to write a list of Frequently Asked Questions and answering them.
After the HOA's basic rules have been covered, you can expand your book to summarize rules that have been created and updated by the board of directors since the HOA was formed. The easiest way to do this is to make a list of topics and then research board minutes to find the answers to the questions created by the topics, say pets or parking.
What are the most common topics? Here's a list, which will be edited over time:
1. What can I do to my home without getting permission from the HOA board or a delgated authority?
2. When to I need to get permission before I do something to my home?
3. How do I apply for permission?
4. How long does it take to get permission?
5. Why do I have to get permission?
6. What happens if I do something without getting permission? Are there penalties?
7. How do I get help from the HOA or the management company?
8. Who do I call?
9. Is there a web site?
10. I want to get cable TV. How do I do this and do I need permission?
11. I want to get satellite TV. Where do I put the dish, and how do I get permission?
12. I want to put in some plants. What is the process for getting permission?
13. Are there rules regarding planting flowers, bushes and trees?
14. Do I own any of the land outside my unit, or is it owned by the HOA?
15. What does the HOA do for me when it comes to maintaining my unit?
16. What maintenance responsibilities are mine?
17. Can the HOA require me to spend money to maintain my unit?
18. Snow. When is snow plowed and under what conditions?
19. Trash. How and when is trash picked up?
20. Are there limits to what trash will be picked up by our service and HOA?
21. Pets. What are the rules?
22. Parking. What are the rules?
23. Painting. Can I paint the interior of my unit without permission?
24. Painting. Are there any rules about painting my interior?
25. Painting. Can I paint the exterior of my unit?
26. Remodeling. Do I have to get permission to remodel my kitchen, bath, basement or whatever?
27. Garage doors. Do I have to keep my garage door closed?
28. Holiday decorations. Any restrictions regarding lights and other holiday decorations?
29. Peddlers and solicitors? What are the rules?
30. Parties. What do I do about parking when I have a party?
