HOA managers must be certified to serve communities

:We have a full-time, on-site manager at our homeowners association.

The manager would like to start working half days. We would like to hire another person to work the other half of the day.

What duties of the manager would the alternate person be unable to perform if uncertified?

I assume the alternate would be able to take messages, compose newsletters, accept homeowner's dues and put them in a container for the manager, etc.

I checked the NRS statutes and could find no description of a manager's duties. -- B.D.

A: NRS116A.400 prohibits a person from acting as a community manager without a certificate.

NAC 116.300 is the regulatory laws that govern the practice of community managers.

Here is a basic list of responsibilities of a community manager:

1. Comply with the lawful provisions of the governing documents.

2. Maintain an inventory of all records of each client.

3. Keep informed of new developments in the management of associations.

4. Advise a client to obtain expert advice.

5. Enforce the provisions of the governing documents of the association.

6. Ensure that financial transactions are accurate and properly documented.

7. Prepare interim and annual financial reports.

8. Make financial records available for inspection by the Nevada Real Estate Division.

9. Cooperate with the division in resolving complaints.

10. Upon written requests make available financial records to unit owners.

11. Deposit all money in a federally insured institution authorized to do business in Nevada.

12. Register the association with the division.

13. Obtain when practicable three bids for HOA work.

14. Fairly enforce the collection policies.

15. Recommend in writing that the association be in compliance with federal, state and local laws.

Based upon the state law and upon the regulatory requirements, your part-time community manager would need to have a certification in order to manage your association.

Barbara Holland, certified property manager, broker and supervisory certified association manager, is president and owner of H&L Realty and Management Co. Questions may be sent to Association Q.&A., P.O. Box 7440, Las Vegas, NV 89125. Her fax number is 385-3759, or she can be reached by e-mail at support@hlrealty.com.