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PenyW (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 43
Posted:
I am scanning in documents for our 15-year-old HOA, and I'd like to know how to handle records for individuals no longing living in our community. I can understand keeping documents such as Architectural Change Requests, but is there any reason to keep legal documentation regarding collection of unpaid dues for a family that moved away in 2002? There is no pending action, and a new family now owns the property. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank You.
SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699
Posted:
It takes 4 seconds to scan a document and such a small amount of space on a disk. Just scan everything, keep everything.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Peny,

First check your States Corporate law and HOA law to see if there are any requirements on how long records are to be kept or an indication on what records might be required for any legal action (copies of disclosure statements come to mind). The suggestion of keeping electronic copies is a great one. However, arrangements should be made to keep a copy of the electronic versions separate from the other in case one copy is damaged.

As for individual lot owner records we keep the following:

Within the Architectural files:

• The authorized exterior colors of paint, stain, brick or roof shingles used on the lot
• Design change requests submitted by any owner of the lot.
• The reply of the ACC to each submitted design change request.
• The most recent inspection report/s created for any disclosure package for the lot
• Annual inspection reports for the current and past 10 years
• All communications associated with any documented infractions by the current owner or
their tenants.

Within the Financial files:

• With the exception of the annual notification of assessments and coupon book, all
communications associated with the collection of annual assessments from the current
owner of a lot.
• Such records may be disposed of as ownership of the lot changes.

Within the files of the Secretary:

• All communications between the Board of Directors and the current owner unless those records are being maintained by other officers (Treasurer) or committees (Architectural).
• Such records may be disposed of as ownership of the lot changes.

you should also adopt a resolution concerning Association records. If you would like a copy of ours to use as a guide e-mail me [email protected]

Tim
LawrenceC1 (Georgia)
Posts: 480
Posted:
Peny,

Here is a sample records retention schedule from the CAI:

DOCUMENT CURRENT FILE STORAGE

Association
Governing
Documents Permanently Permanently

Bank Reconciliation 1 year 1 year

Board Minutes 1 year Permanently

Canceled Checks &
Bank Statements 1 year 7 years

Cash Disbursements &
Receipts, Journals 1 year Permanently

Insurance Policies &
Certificates of Insurance 1 year 7 years

Investment Statements
& Closed Passbooks 1 year 7 years

State & Federal Income
Tax Returns 3 years Permanently

Real Estate Tax Records 1 year 7 years

State and Federal
Unemployment &
Withholding 3 years Permanently
LawrenceC1 (Georgia)
Posts: 480
Posted:
Sorry for the formatting. All the spaces were collaped by the site. The table should have three columns for "Document", "Current File", and "Storage".

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