Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities

The goal of Lakeport’s Board is to preserve the character of our community, protect property values, and respond to the appropriate expectations of homeowners and residents.  In addition, the Board will endeavor to cultivate a true sense of community, promote homeowner involvement, and create a culture of informed consensus. The principles conveyed here speak to these core values.

Homeowners have the right to

1. A responsive and competent community association.
2. Honest, fair and respectful treatment by community leaders and managers.
3. The opportunity to participate in governing the community association by attending meetings, serving on committees, and standing for election.
4. Access to appropriate association books and records.
5. Access to all documents that address rules governing the association prior to purchase and settlement by a real estate agent or attorney.
6. Prudent expenditure of fees and other assessments.
7. A community in which the property is maintained according to approved standards.
8. Fair treatment regarding financial and other association obligations, including the opportunity to discuss payment plans and options with Board members before foreclosure is initiated.
9. The opportunity to request reconsideration of material decisions that affect them.

Homeowners have the responsibility to

1. Read and comply with the governing documents of the community.
2. Vote in community elections and on other significant issues that affect the whole community (limited to resident homeowners only).
3. Pay association assessments and charges on time.
4. Maintain their property according to the community’s approved standards.
5. Treat association leaders honestly and with respect.
6. Contact association leaders or managers, if necessary, to discuss financial obligations and alternative payment arrangements.
7. Provide current contact information to association leaders or managers to ensure they receive information from the community.
8. Ensure that those who reside on their property (e.g., tenants, relatives, and guests) adhere to all rules and regulations.

Board members have the right to

1. Expect homeowners to meet their financial obligations to the community.
2. Expect homeowners and residents to know and comply with the rules of the community and to stay informed by reading materials provided by the association.
3. Expect homeowners to maintain a positive and constructive atmosphere for meetings.
4. Receive respectful and honest treatment from homeowners and residents.
5. Receive support and constructive input from homeowners and residents.
6. Maintain personal privacy at home and during leisure time in the community.

Board members have the responsibility to

1. Fulfill their fiduciary duties to the community and exercise discretion in a manner they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the community.
2. Exercise sound business judgment and follow established management practices.
3. Conduct business in a transparent manner when feasible and appropriate.
4. Balance the needs and obligations of the community as a whole with those of individual homeowners and residents.
5. Understand the association’s governing documents, become educated with respect to applicable state and local laws, and manage the community association accordingly.
6. Allow homeowners access to appropriate community records when requested.
7. Make covenants, conditions and restrictions as understandable as possible, adding clarifying “lay” language or supplementary materials when drafting or revising the documents.
8. Collect all monies due from homeowners.
9. Conduct open, fair and well-publicized elections.
10. Establish committees or use other methods to obtain input from homeowners and residents.
11. Encourage input from homeowners and residents on issues affecting them personally and the community as a whole.
12. Welcome and educate new members of the community—homeowners and non-owner residents alike.
13. Devise appropriate and reasonable arrangements, when needed and as feasible, to facilitate the ability of individual homeowners to meet their financial obligations to the community.
14. Provide a process homeowners can use to appeal decisions that affect their non-routine financial responsibilities or property rights—where permitted by law and the association’s governing documents.
15. Initiate foreclosure proceedings only as a measure of last resort.
16. Encourage events that foster neighborliness and a sense of community.
17. Provide complete and timely disclosure of personal and financial conflicts of interest related to the actions of community leaders, e.g., officers, the board and committees. 

Adapted from Community Associations Institute