HOA Meeting Locations

Started by JohnD65 • 9 replies • 708 views

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JohnD65 (Maryland)
Posts: 2

Posted:

Hello HOA TALK

I live in a small HOA community in Maryland. Is it traditional to have the annual budget meeting on neutral grounds? The board wants to hold the budget meeting at a (non-board) member's house this year. In the past, it was always held on neutral grounds (a school, church, etc.). I don't see anything in the by-laws or R&R's about the meeting's location, but I feel that it is unfair to hold it at an owners house. This person will obviously be voting.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

I don't see how the location of a meeting matters that much unless it is a multi-hour drive.

When we voted to increase our assessments (membership vote required), the meeting was held at my house because the school we normally hold meetings at wasn't available.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

I don't see what's unfair about having the meeting at an owner's house. If the homeowners are voting on the budget, everyone there will have a vote, so what's the problem? If you vote one way and the host votes another, are you two going to throw down right then and there? I doubt the owner will toss you or anyone else out because you exercised your right to vote - which you'd have regardless of the location.

It may be the meeting's being held at the owner's house to save money - perhaps you should ask the board why the change was made (and offer to find a place that IS affordable?) You don't say how big your HOA is, but if the person has the room and everyone helps out, perhaps by bringing something for refreshments or assisting the owner in cleaning up after the meeting, that's a good way to get things done.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

TimM11
Posts: 354

Posted:

I'm not seeing the issue, since it doesn't sound like there is anything requiring you to hold it at a certain place.

We always have ours offsite, but that's because we need the space to accommodate everyone.

AdamD1 (Indiana)
Posts: 179

Posted:

My concerns about having it at a homeowner's house:

1. If there are stairs involved to get to the room, would that prohibit some with mobility issues?
2. If the hosting homeowner has been feuding with another homeowner that wants to attend, would that pose an uncomfortable situation for both parties?

For those two reasons, we have kept Board and Annual meetings on public grounds, i.e. a middle school next door to our housing development for our annual meeting and a community college on the other side of town for Board meetings. It works for us, but doing it in someone's home may work better for you. Best of luck!

BarbaraT1 (Texas)
Posts: 821

Posted:

It's not ideal, but I don't see any reason why it should be objectionable.

Is there more to the story? Why did they pick this house? It might just be as simple as "the usual venue wasn't available on the date we needed it".

AugustinD
Posts: 5,144

Posted:

I agree generally with others here. Meeting at a member's home is far from ideal. Adam's concerns would be mine. Plus there are liability issues. Depending on the HOA, it is often one annoying chore to find a public place to meet, desirably at no charge. JohnD46, when you object, make sure you volunteer to do the calling around to find such a place; complete the paperwork for using the public place (and there is often paperwork); arrange for the usually nominal fee (which the HOA should pay) for using the space; informing the board of what you found and then waiting for its vote of approval; et cetera. Your HOA is small enough that there may be a large enough conference room in a number of places, such as the public library; city hall; one of the public schools; et cetera.

JohnD65 (Maryland)
Posts: 2

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By AdamD1 on 12/11/2018 6:45 AM
My concerns about having it at a homeowner's house:

1. If there are stairs involved to get to the room, would that prohibit some with mobility issues?
2. If the hosting homeowner has been feuding with another homeowner that wants to attend, would that pose an uncomfortable situation for both parties?

For those two reasons, we have kept Board and Annual meetings on public grounds, i.e. a middle school next door to our housing development for our annual meeting and a community college on the other side of town for Board meetings. It works for us, but doing it in someone's home may work better for you. Best of luck!

Number 2 is the concern. Up until last year, the budget meeting was always held off-site (office, church, school). They held the budget meeting last year at a homeowner's home and it got very nasty and uncivil. People were called out by the board for voting against their budget proposal. Two individuals were pressured to change their vote (after a vote had been called).

I am afraid that the board wants to repeat what they did last year, by having it at a homeowner's house (who happens to be good friends with the board leadership). While I'm sure there will be fireworks regardless of where its held, letting the board hold the meeting on "home turf" so to speak, surely encourages them to act out.

Several neighbors have told me that they will not be attending this years meeting (and not even voting by proxy) because of what happened last year. I am afraid that this community is being held hostage by a select few.

Thanks All

AugustinD
Posts: 5,144

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnD65 on 12/11/2018 10:43 AM
Several neighbors have told me that they will not be attending this years meeting (and not even voting by proxy) because of what happened last year. I am afraid that this community is being held hostage by a select few.

I suspect it's more likely that your HOA is being held hostage by apathy. The unhappy are mostly unwilling to voice a complaint; serve on the board; or rally to get a better board. Nationwide this is common.

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By JohnD65 on 12/11/2018 10:43 AM
Several neighbors have told me that they will not be attending this years meeting (and not even voting by proxy) because of what happened last year.

That's really petty. Changing the composition of the board is the only sure way to get anything done. It's like they're cutting off their nose to spite their face.

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