Why Director Qualifications Are the Backbone of Better Community Leadership

Have you ever wondered how someone ends up on the board of your homeowners association? Is it simply a matter of who raises their hand at the next annual meeting—or are there actual standards for who’s allowed to serve? In many communities, it’s the latter. Smart HOAs have established qualifications for board service—clear, written rules that help ensure the people making decisions about your dues, your common areas, and your peace of mind are actually qualified to do so. But not all communities have taken that step. And in those that haven’t, the risks are real. This article breaks down why every HOA should define who can serve on the board, what those qualifications typically look like, and how to adopt them the right way.

Why Board Qualifications Matter (Yes, Even in *Your* HOA)

HOA board members control money, manage vendors, enforce rules, and make decisions that affect the value of every home in the community. That’s a big deal. So it makes sense that not just anyone should be able to serve—especially if they’ve got a history of nonpayment, personal conflicts, or worse.
Think of director qualifications as a common-sense filter: they help protect the association from dysfunction, conflict of interest, and unnecessary legal exposure.

What Kinds of Qualifications Are Allowed?

HOAs can’t discriminate—but they *can* adopt reasonable eligibility standards to keep the board running smoothly. These are usually written into the bylaws, or sometimes the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions). If your governing documents are silent on the issue, you may want to change that.

• Here are some common qualifications that HOAs can legally require:
• Must be a Member of the Association – No renters or: