Key Takeaways: Board vs. Management Responsibilities

Serving on an HOA or condo board comes with responsibility—but it shouldn’t come with constant uncertainty about who should handle what.

Throughout this course, we’ve focused on clarifying the distinct roles of the board and the management company, and why that clarity matters for the health of the association and the experience of board members.

At a Glance: Who’s Responsible for What

The responsibilities outlined below reflect common roles found in many community associations. They aren’t exhaustive, and specific duties may vary based on governing documents, local requirements, and how a board and management company choose to work together.

HOA and Condo Boards Are Commonly Responsible For:

• Governing the association and setting overall direction
• Making policy decisions and approving budgets
• Acting in the best interest of the community (fiduciary responsibility)
• Appointing committees and selecting vendors
• Conducting board meetings and making final decisions

Management Companies Are Commonly Responsible For:

• Carrying out board direction and managing day-to-day operations
• Coordinating vendors, maintenance, and repairs
• Communicating with homeowners and supporting enforcement of governing documents
• Supporting financial processes such as budgeting and assessment collection
• Providing guidance, compliance support, and operational expertise

The purpose of this course isn’t to memorize every possible responsibility—it’s to help board members identify who should be responsible in any situation, even when it isn’t explicitly listed.

Clear Roles Support Better Decisions

Boards are responsible for governance. That includes setting direction, making decisions, and acting in the best interest of the community.

Management companies support that work by handling day-to-day operations, providing expertise, and carrying out board direction.

When each group understands where its responsibilities begin and end:

• Decisions are clearer
• Accountability is easier to maintain
• Communication is more effective
• Fewer issues fall into gray areas

Role Clarity Reduces Stress

Many of the challenges boards face don’t come from lack of effort—they come from blurred roles.

Clear responsibilities help board members:

• Know when to step in and make a decision
• Know when to rely on their management company’s expertise
• Avoid duplicating work or second-guessing what’s being handled

This is especially important for volunteer boards, where time and energy are limited.

Strong Partnerships Are Built Intentionally

Healthy board–management partnerships don’t happen by accident.

They rely on open communication, shared expectations, and mutual respect. When roles are clearly defined and consistently followed, trust is reinforced—allowing boards to govern confidently while management companies handle execution and operational details.

In serving HOA and condo associations across Texas, we’ve seen how this kind of role clarity supports smoother operations and stronger communities over time.

Bringing It All Together

Clear roles don’t eliminate responsibility—they clarify it.

When boards understand where their role begins and ends:

• Decisions feel more straightforward
• Communication improves
• Accountability is easier to maintain

Board members can focus on governing the community, while management companies handle the operational work that supports those decisions—whether that’s maintenance coordination, financial preparation, or day-to-day communication.

This kind of clarity makes board service more manageable and helps support the long-term success of the association.

What’s Next

You’re now ready to test your understanding and apply what you’ve learned.

Proceed to the Knowledge Check: HOA Board vs. Management Responsibilities to reinforce key concepts and ensure you’re confident moving forward.

If you have questions about the concepts covered in this course or want help thinking through role clarity more generally, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help point you in the right direction.