💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

SamS9 (Washington)
Posts: 1
Posted:
We are a community of 25 homes. Our HOA is managed by a management company. But we want to start managing it by ourselves and get rid of this management company since they are very expensive.
Is it possible to get a address and mail box for my community just for the purposes of getting mail which will be accessed only by the HOA board? Or is it better to get a PO box? If I get a PO Box, would it work if I put the PO BOx address during filing returns? Because I think it needs to be a physical address for the tax purpose. Whats the route to take here?
Thank you for your time.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
My HOA is self manged.
We have a PO Box.
The PO Box is listed as our address on tax returns.
The PO Box is listed as our address for corporate documents.

When a physical address is required, we simply state the County and zip code. If more specifics are required, we provide a description (properties abutting and surrounding xyz streets).
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
Getting the PO Box is just the start of what you'll need to do for self-managing the association, so you may want to Google HOA self-management to see what the pros and cons are. There's nothing wrong with self-management, but depending on the extent of services providing by the association along with managing the common areas, you'll need people willing and able to do all that. If you can find them, great, but if not, or that person(s) steps down, then what? Will he or she educate his/her successor on best practices, assuming you can find someone else to do the job?

You may find it's easier to shop around for a management company who's more affordable - take a look at your contract and then send out a request for proposal (RFP) to the competition. Keep reading the contract to see if there's a service you're paying for that you seldom use or don't need at all - perhaps you can talk to the company about amending the contract to remove those services and save some money.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By SheliaH on 07/22/2020 9:18 AM
Getting the PO Box is just the start of what you'll need to do for self-managing the association, so you may want to Google HOA self-management to see what the pros and cons are. There's nothing wrong with self-management, but depending on the extent of services providing by the association along with managing the common areas, you'll need people willing and able to do all that. If you can find them, great, but if not, or that person(s) steps down, then what? Will he or she educate his/her successor on best practices, assuming you can find someone else to do the job?

This is where we're at. It's a nightmare with a board whose only mission is to do as little as possible. Our Bylaws and state statutes require us to have a Vice President. We haven't had one for over a year despite the presence of enough Directors on the board available to fill that office. The VP has almost no duties and we STILL can't find anyone willing to do it. As a self-managed HOA do NOT underestimate how quickly things will unravel without a sufficient pool of owners ready, willing, and able to serve on your board and committees. It's vital.
BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273
Posted:
Be sure to check your state law. In some states (if not all) HOAs and other corporations have to have a registered agent with a physical address so that legal notices can be served. The registered agent can usually be any real person, including people who are paid for that sole purpose.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Our MC is our registered agent, If the HOA uses a lawyer I expect s/he can easily do it and at a very small fee. Also I am not sure, but I suspect the Pres. of the BOD could be the Registered Agent. I do not think the State cares who the Registered Agent is, as long as there is one.

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

  • ✓ Ask follow-up questions
  • ✓ Share your experience
  • ✓ Get expert advice
  • ✓ Access 350,000 discussions
Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here