Renters

I live in a small private community with an HOA. Some of the renters in here think they should be allowed into board meetings and have a say as to what goes on. We have never allowed that. Our bylaws state that it's members only at our yearly General Membership Meeting, but they say nothing about our monthly meetings. Does any other community allow non-members to attend their monthly BOD meetings?

I could sure see that happening! LOL! Thanks for your reply!

How does someone become a member of your HOA? If they are not a member why should they attend and more importantly why should they have any say in the HOA? I think you keep the relationship between the unit owner and the renter you don't want the HOA involved in the relationship.

Oh, and we probably wouldn't allow renters at the annual meeting. The room is already too crowded, for one. In general we don't mind that they're informed residents of the community. Letting them have "a say" is something else entirely and we wouldn't allow that.

Renters are residents of the neighborhood. In some cases they rent for a lengthy period of time and may have a significant interest in decisions being made. But that doesn't mean they get a say/vote in the decision-making. Further, some renters may eventually wish to purchase the home they rent or another home in the neighborhood.

Why not try to create an inclusive environment? What harm is done by including them and possibly hearing what they have to say? I would only have an issue with renters attending if they came intentionally to create strife or be adversarial. Until that happens, I say include them if they want to be included. Or if certain renters need to be excluded, exclude them specifically. In many cases, most owners don't even attend monthly/annual meetings. I'm sure that not many renters would attend either.

Referring back to my earlier post, I've only managed 55+ communities; so, yes, the owners are VERY involved. And as I said, one community I managed did decide to allow renters to attend board meetings. The result was contentious, to say the least.

We would allow renters to participate in committees which had their own separate meetings from the board. Renters know they don't have any voting rights or say or should. Most renters I find that are interested in participating are long term or wanting to purchase. It's not the short term type. So with those type of renters we'd allow them to participate in events or volunteer. We'd just make sure it's known they are renters so don't elect them to the board...

It's kind of tricky with some renters. The situation may be they are "permanent" renters for like 20 years. It may be they can't afford to buy a home or prefer renting. I would say depending on the situation on what renters participation is. To me, someone dedicated to living in the community but can't purchase, isn't enough to exclude them completely. There is always the neighborhood watch or other committees they can participate in.

The opposite may also be true.

In many communities, the CCRs will have a statement that the CCRs can be enforced directly against owners, tenants and occupants, sometimes including penalties. It is usually easier to enforce against the owner.

In a few states the law allows the association to fine tenants directly without going through the owner.

Thank you all for your comments!