Hiring a management company
What does an HOA management company do?
Updated October 2026 · Published by Elevate Community Management
Meet our association and construction teamThe short answer
An HOA management company carries out the work delegated in its agreement: assessment billing, bookkeeping, maintenance coordination, board administration and owner communication. The board retains governance and oversight. A written scope should identify who prepares, approves and completes each task.
Which responsibilities belong to the board and the manager?
The board sets direction and approves decisions under the governing documents. The manager prepares information, coordinates the work and reports results within the authority the board delegates. The agreement should resolve gaps before a task becomes urgent.
| Task | Board responsibility | Manager responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Annual budget | Review and adopt the budget through the required process. | Prepare actuals, renewal information and a draft for review. |
| Association money | Approve controls and oversee accounts held for the association. | Bill assessments, reconcile accounts and produce agreed reports. |
| Maintenance | Approve priorities, contracts and spending authority. | Receive requests, obtain bids, schedule vendors and report progress. |
| Rules and enforcement | Adopt rules and make decisions through the applicable process. | Document cases, send authorized notices and coordinate hearings. |
| Board meetings | Make decisions and record approvals. | Prepare packets, attend as contracted and follow up on action items. |
What work is usually included in the agreement?
A full-service scope often combines financial reporting, common-property coordination, administrative support and owner communication. Meeting counts, inspections, emergency coverage, resale documents and project work should be specified separately so the board can compare proposals accurately.
Our full-service management page describes Elevate’s deliverables. Boards that retain property and vendor duties can choose financial-only management.
What does a manager not replace?
A management agreement does not make the manager the association’s attorney, accountant or engineer. The board should engage the relevant professional for specialist decisions, and ask the manager to coordinate the information that professional needs.
The manager also does not own association funds or acquire unlimited decision-making authority. Check account ownership, payment approvals, purchasing limits and reporting access before signing.
Where should the board go next?
If the question is whether to delegate operations, use the self-management comparison. For costs, use the HOA management fee guide. For selection and a change of company, follow the switching process.
Questions boards ask
Does hiring a manager mean the board gives up control?
The board retains its governance responsibilities. A good agreement defines delegated work, approval limits and reports so the board can supervise execution.
Is an association manager the same as a rental property manager?
Association management supports a board and its common property, finances and administration. Rental property management serves a landlord and tenant relationships. Confirm that a prospective firm offers association management.
Who decides whether to fine an owner?
The association follows its governing documents and applicable law. The manager can document a case and administer authorized steps; authority and hearing requirements should be confirmed with the association’s attorney.