How to Remove an HOA Board Member

If you live in a planned unit development (PUD) or common interest development (CID), most likely a homeowners' association (HOA) runs it, via a homeowner-elected board of directors (a "board"). Serving on an HOA board is an important, albeit normally voluntary job, involving a lot of responsibility. (See What's Involved With Serving on the Board of a Homeowners' Association).

Unfortunately, not all HOA board members live up to these responsibilities. Sometimes you'll end up with a problem member—who is, for example, contentious or disruptive, doesn't understand or stay up to date on HOA matters, or doesn't attend required meetings. Even worse is a board member who lies, cheats, steals, or otherwise breaches the fiduciary duty to the HOA. (See Fiduciary Duties of HOA Board Members.)

Whether or not you can remove a "bad" board member depends on the reason you want them removed, the development's governing documents (typically its articles of incorporation and bylaws, declaration of covenants, conditions, restrictions and easements (CC&Rs), any other written rules and regulations), and possibly, the opinion of your fellow homeowners.

Here's how to take action when you want to remove an HOA board member.

Attend an HOA Board Meeting

The most effective initial action is to raise your concerns with the board, either by scheduling a special meeting with it, or by speaking up at a regular HOA meeting. Most HOAs are required to hold regular meetings and must allow homeowner attendance and comments. It's vitally important to remain civil when voicing your concerns about a board member, and to ensure you make no public accusations or false statements. Present only the facts, and do so in a calm, reasonable manner.

If possible, propose ways for the HOA to address your concerns. For example, if you believe a board member "has it in for you" because of a personal dispute, request that the board member abstain from voting in any matter specifically relating to you (such as an HOA vote on whether to enforce an HOA rule against you).

It's also often helpful to persuade other supportive homeowners to attend the meeting, or to bring other evidence, such as a signed petition or a collection of letters from other homeowners. This can show that your opinion is supported by others (especially useful for swaying any wayward board member hoping for re-election).

Ideally, the offending board member will take your comments to heart and reform (or alternatively, willingly step down from the board).

Learn Your Legal Rights to Remove an HOA Board Member

If attending an HOA or board meeting is ineffective, or not an option for fear of a hostile reaction, check your state's laws and your HOA governing documents to find out if you have a legal basis to demand the board member's removal.

Check State HOA Rules

Some state laws call for automatic removal of a board member in certain circumstances. For example, under the recall provisions of the Florida Condominium Act (Florida Statutes §§ 718.112(2)(d) and (o)), an HOA board member is removed automatically if convicted of a felony, charged with felony theft or embezzlement of HOA funds, or is delinquent in paying HOA dues.

You can likely find a copy of your state's laws relating to HOA board members online, from your HOA's attorney, or from another experienced real estate attorney in your area.

Review HOA Bylaws and Other Governing Documents

Your development's governing documents might also contain provisions relating to removing a board member—for example, if someone fails to attend a minimum number of meetings, or fails to participate in a minimum percentage of votes. If you don't already have a copy, you can obtain one from your HOA, or from the public real property records in your county.

Take Away the HOA Board Member's Official Duties

If the HOA board member's actions don't justify automatic removal, removing them person from any official position on the board can reduce their negative impact.

Although HOA boards do not typically have the right to vote a member off the board themselves (it usually requires the vote of all HOA members, as discussed below), they do usually have the power to remove an officer, such as the president, vice president, or treasurer. Typically this takes a board's majority vote. The HOA's bylaws usually determine the board's power to remove officers.

Additionally, your state's corporate laws most likely address this issue (HOAs are typically nonprofit corporations formed in the state in which the development lies, and governed by that state's corporate code).

Let the HOA Board Member's Term Expire

Since HOA board members typically serve for a relatively short (two- to three-year) term, sometimes the best way to get rid of a troublesome board member is to have patience, and let the term expire. If the member seeks re-election, you can get involved by helping the campaign of an alternative candidate, volunteering to run yourself, or attempting to sway voters by voicing your concerns during candidate forums or meetings prior to the election.

Vote the HOA Board Member Out

Another option, but possibly the most difficult, is to hold a vote to remove the member from the board. The procedures required for this will again depend on the applicable state law and governing documents. Typically this is a last resort, since the process is usually complicated, lengthy, and potentially expensive.

At a minimum, removing a board member normally requires the vote of all HOA members. To obtain a valid vote, you must meet all relevant procedures required under your state's laws and in your development's governing documents, including prior notice, special meeting, quorum, and proxy voting requirements. An experienced real estate attorney can help determine the steps necessary, and advise you on the time and expense that this might involve.

Although removing a board member is not easy, if a member is jeopardizing the proper operation of the development, pursuing removal might prove worthwhile.