About 30 percent of the U.S. population, or 75 million people, live in a neighborhood governed by a homeowners association (HOA). This popularity is attributed to the many benefits HOAs offer, including retaining property values.
HOAs require a lot of work, though. It can be difficult for volunteer board members to stay on top of responsibilities. This is where an HOA owner portal comes in.
This article explains how owner portals work and the many benefits they offer. Keep reading to find out if it is right for your neighborhood.
What Is an HOA Owner Portal?
An owner portal is an online HOA management platform that provides homeowners with various pieces of important information. It often allows them to perform different tasks.
Owner portals can alleviate a lot of work on the part of the HOA board. That is because they are often responsible for dispensing information, fielding questions, or ensuring certain tasks get carried out. In this way, it is a convenient tool for residents and board members alike.
What Are Typical HOA Owner Portal Capabilities?
While there are many different types of programs and software, there are some common tasks that most owner portals are capable of. These include user interface and property management tools such as:
- Accessing HOA documents
- Viewing and paying dues or other fees
- Communication
- Events calendar coordination
Access to HOA Documents
Owner portals provide a centralized location for storing and granting access to documents. Typical ones include HOA bylaws and community guidelines. Some HOAs may upload board meeting minutes, financial reports, or other documents relevant to residents.
View and Pay Dues or Other Fees
Owner portals are a good tool for letting homeowners see account balances. They allow residents to view their payment history as well as dues, fees, or fines that they owe. Some portals allow payment processing directly through the portal.
Communication
Owner portals are also a handy communication tool. They might allow homeowners to send messages to board members, property managers, and other homeowners. It can be a useful way for them to submit requests, such as for building permits or changes to the property.
HOAs may allow community members to submit nominations for the board through the portal. It also can be used for voting on community issues, such as board member nominations, changes to bylaws, or improvement projects. It also may let members send out mass communication about upcoming events.
Events Calendar
Some portals have a dedicated calendar function. This can be used by board members to schedule and inform residents of upcoming meetings. It can also be a helpful tool for keeping up with community events or important dates, such as deadlines for paying dues.
Learn More About Digital HOA Solutions
Now that you have an idea of how an HOA owner portal can help streamline community management, you can determine if it is right for your neighborhood.
PMI Green Rock is a full-service property management company serving Seacoast, NH, and the surrounding areas. We offer a variety of services, including HOA management and board resources. Reach out to us today to learn more about available HOA portal features.
