Property management companies and HOAs (homeowner associations) both manage housing, but the expertise and skill sets required to do those jobs are very different. The difference may not seem important to some people, but as a landlord, you’ll be encountering and interacting with people from both sides, meaning it’s important to understand what they do. To clarify, this article will review the differences between property managers and HOAs.
What Does a Property Manager Do?
Property managers work specifically with rental properties. They contact any necessary maintenance services, market the property, collect rent, screen tenants, and much more. They usually have very personal and hands-on experiences with members of the community. In addition, they usually work very closely with members of HOA boards and enforce the boards’ rules.
What Do HOAs Do?
HOAs have board members who often volunteer their time to make rules and regulations for the community to abide by. They oversee common areas, collect HOA fees from homeowners, and much more. HOAs help the overall community look better and run more smoothly so that other people will want to move into the community.
What’s the Difference?
The main difference between the two is that property managers work only with rental units and HOAs work with homeowners. Typically, a property manager is hired by a landlord to help them with managing their rental properties. If you see a property manager working with an HOA board, they’re likely specifically working with single-family homes that are being rented out. The goal of a property manager is to make sure the tenant and landlord are both getting what they need and to ensure things run smoothly. On the other hand, an HOA board strives to ensure that an entire community is running smoothly.
The differences between property managers and HOAs are clear and pretty easy to understand. If you’re in the Atlanta area and in need of some help with your rental properties, Excalibur Homes has property managers in Atlanta with the knowledge and experience to help you get your rental units running smoothly.
