HOMEOWNER GLOSSARY

A

AAMC - Accredited Association Management Company. This is a manager certification issued by the Community Associations Institute.
AC - Architectural Committee.
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act.
ADR - See: Alternative Dispute Resolution.
AG - Attorney General.
AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Alternative Dispute Resolution - Also referred to as ADR. Any form of dispute resolution other than by formal court proceedings. Can include mediation, arbitration, etc.
AMS - Association Management Specialist. A manager certification issued by the Community Associations Institute.
Annexable Property - Property that can be attached, added, joined, or united with the original property included in the CC&R’s
Arbitration - An informal trial proceeding used to settle disputes rather than pursuing formal court proceedings. A decision by an arbitrator can be either binding (final decision) or non-binding (parties may ignore decision).
ARC - Architectural Review Committee.
Areas of Responsibility - A document that outlines and defines the maintenance and/or insurance obligations of the association and its board of directors.
Articles of Incorporation - Documentation filed with a state Secretary of State’s office which establishes general information about a corporation and its purpose.
Assessment - A fee levied against all property within a community association for the purpose of maintaining the common areas and related administrative functions of the association. These are provided for in the CC&Rs and are legally binding on the property owner. Assessments may take the form of a regular (annual) or special (for a special project or purpose) assessment.
Association - A non-profit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.
Audit - The highest level of review of an association’s financial books and records. An audit generally involves a complete reconciliation of all vouchers, charges, and expenditures. An annual audit is normally required by the association’s declaration.

B

Ballot - A piece of paper on which an association member registers his or her vote on a decision voted upon by the association at a called meeting.
Binding agreement - A contract which is enforceable such as an offer to buy or sell when person to whom it is made accepts it and communicates his acceptance.
Board of Directors - The governing body of a corporation such as an association. The board is elected by the members of the association. The directors and officers have a duty to comply with the governing documents of the association and all applicable laws.
Budget - The financial plan for an association which estimates income and expenses for a specific time period.
By-Laws - Formal rules and regulations adopted by an association which govern its activities and actions of the board of directors.

C

CAI - Community Associations Institute.
CC&Rs - Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions are the association’s governing documents also referred to as the declaration, rules, regulations, or master deed. The CC&Rs are filed in the real property records of the county in which the association is located.
CD - Certificate of Deposit.
CID - Common Interest Development.
CMCA - Certified Manager of Community Associations. This is a manager certification issued by the National Board of Certification of Community Association Managers.
Common Area - The improved real property shared by the members of an association.
Community Association - A property owners’ association requiring mandatory membership bound by governing documents which require individual owners to pay assessments for the maintenance and administration of the common areas.
Community Enhancement Fund - The Community Enhancement Fund is a special operating account created to support quality of life programs in a community association such as:
- – Unique projects that are consistent with the spirit and focus of the community.
- – Activities that improve the physical and aesthetic environment of the community.– Initiatives that strengthen the community’s identity.
- – Partnerships and participation of residents and businesses in improving their community.
- -Funding the Community Enhancement Fund may be accomplished by a special budget allocation, by special assessment, by a fee imposed on all new purchasers, or by other means determined by the board of directors and authorized by state statute or the governing documents of the association.
Condominium (Condo) - A development consisting of an undivided interest in a common area coupled with a separate interest in a unit.
COOP - Also Co-Op and Co-Operative. Refers to a “Stock Cooperative,” one of the forms of common interest developments.
Cooperative / Co-op - A development in which a corporation holds title to all improved real property and the corporation’s shareholders receive a right of exclusive occupancy in a portion of that real property.
Covered property - The property described as an exhibit to the CC&R’s plus the additional property if any that is annexed in.
CPA - Certified Public Accountant.
CPI - Consumer Price Index. Commonly used for budgeting purposes.
Cumulative vote - Voting in which a member may cast as many votes for a director as he/she has votes multiplied by the number of open director seats to be elected.

D

Developer (Declarant) - The person or group who either signs the original declaration governing the development and association or acquires the original developer’s (declarant’s) rights.
Declaration - Sometimes referred to as the “master deed,” “documents,” or “declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions” [CC&Rs]. It describes an owner’s responsibilities to the association including payment of dues and assessments as well as the association’s duties to the owners. It is essentially the constitution of the association.
Directors & Officers Liability Coverage - Insurance coverage that protects the association’s volunteer board members in lawsuits brought due to their actions taken on behalf of the association. Board members are not protected from actions proven to be criminal or negligent.

E

Easement - An interest or right in real property which grants a right to a landowner to use the land of another for a special purpose. An association may often have an easement for slope maintenance or other repair purposes, or a public utility may have an easement for maintenance or repairs.
Encroachment - Anything belonging to one landowner that extends onto an adjacent landowner’s property such as a fence, landscaping, etc.
Executive Session - A board meeting session that is closed to the membership with discussion items that are regulated by state statues.

F

FCC - Federal Communications Commission.
FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Fee Simple - Absolute title to land, free of any other claims against the title, which one can sell or pass to another by will or inheritance. This is a redundant form of “fee,” but is used to show the fee (absolute title) is not a “conditional fee,” or “determinable fee,” or “fee tail.” Like “fee” it is often used in deeds transferring title as in “Harry Hadit grants to Robert Gotit title in fee simple…” or similar words.
Fiduciary - The highest ethical and moral obligations and duty of good faith a person is charged with for fulfilling their responsibilities. The board of directors of a community association has a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of the association.

G

GAAP - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. A set of rules, conventions, standards, and procedures for reporting financial information.
Governing Documents - The declaration, bylaws, operating rules, articles of incorporation or other documents which govern the operation of the association.

H

HELOC - Home Equity Line of Credit.
HOA - Homeowners Association.
Hold harmless agreement - A contractual arrangement whereby one party assumes the liability inherent in a situation, thereby relieving the other party of responsibility.
HUD - Housing and Urban Development Department of the federal government.
HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

I

IDR - Internal Dispute Resolution
Indemnity - A contract or agreement whereby one person agrees to protect and defend another against loss or damage.
Injunction - A request for the court to require a party to stop doing something (or sometimes to do something) until the situation can be resolved legally.

L

License - Permission granted by an owner to another for the execution of work on the owner’s land.
Lien - A monetary claim made against a property for unpaid mortgage, taxes, contractor work, or other charges. A lien attaches to the property, not the owner, but must be recorded in the property records of the resident county.
LSM - Large-Scale Manager. This is a manager certification issued by the Community Associations Institute.

M

Majority vote - Vote by more than half of the voters for a candidate or other matter on the ballot.
Managing Agent - A person or entity hired to assist the board of directors in enforcing the documents and managing the assets, including funds, of the association.
Mediation - An informal proceeding during which a neutral third person works with both parties in a legal dispute trying to reach a resolution.
Mitigate - An attempt to alleviate trouble or cause damage to be less severe.
Motion - A formal request, usually in writing, for a hearing and decision on a specific issue.
MUD - Mixed Use Development.

N

NBC-CAM - National Board of Certification of Community Association Managers.
Net Income - The amount of money remaining after deducting total expenses and expenditures from total income.
Net Loss - This occurs when expenses are more than income.
Notice of Noncompliance - Similar to a lien, this notice is sometimes authorized under the CC&Rs and may be recorded in the county property records to notify prospective buyers that the property is in violation of the documents.
Nuisance - Arises from a person’s use of their property in violation of rules, laws, or standards which obstructs or injures the rights of another and creates annoyance, an inconvenience, or discomfort. Examples of nuisance can be loud noises, odors, or vehicles in disrepair on a property.

O

Ordinances - Laws adopted by local government at the county and city level.

P

PD - See: Planned Development
Planned Development - Planned Development means a common interest development other than a condominium, or stock cooperative. The common area is often owned by the association, however, it may also be owned in common by the owners of the separate interests. The separate interest is a lot, parcel, area or space, not a unit.
Plurality vote - The excess of the votes cast for one candidate over those cast for any other (the person who receives the greatest number of votes, but not necessarily the majority).
POA - Property Owners Association.
Priority of Liens - Liens are usually ranked in the order in which they are “perfected” or recorded. As a result, “first in time, first in line” is how liens are normally prioritized.
Proxy - A person appointed to act or vote on behalf of another person by representing them at a meeting of the association. Also refers to the written piece of paper granting that power.
PUD - Planned Unit Development.

Q

Quorum - The minimum number of owners required to hold a meeting of the association. The number of owners required varies according to the governing documents.

R

Recuse - To temporarily remove an association member or board member or disallow his or her participation in a particular vote or proceeding.
Remedy / Relief - Compensation sought by a plaintiff which can include money damages, injunctions, etc.
Reserves - Funds set aside by a community association for the future repair of, replacement of, or additions to major components the association is obligated to maintain.
Reserve Study - A study of the association’s reserve account requirements which identifies the major components for which the association has maintenance responsibility and their probable remaining useful life. It estimates the cost for the components and the total contribution necessary to finance those costs.
Review - An analysis of an association’s books and financial records that is less stringent than an audit.
Rules & Regulations - Rules the association’s board is authorized to adopt to implement and interpret the CC&Rs.

S

Special Assessment - An assessment made usually for a special project or in response to a large unbudgeted expense.
Statute of Limitations - A time period during which a complaint must be filed or it is not recognized.

T

TIC - Tenants in Common. TIC own an undivided interest in property.
Title to Real Estate - Ownership of land and the right to use it.
Title Insurance - Insurance provided by a title insurance company that reviews all recorded documents that impact the title of a particular piece of real estate. This title “search” discloses mortgages, liens, or other encumbrances on the property that would negatively impact the purchaser’s ownership rights.
Townhouse - A term used to describe an attached residential dwelling. A townhouse can be a planned development on a lot or a condominium.
Tract Map - A document recorded in the county real property records that shows the location of all lots within a tract and provides specific descriptions and dimensions.
Temporary Restraining Order / TRO - A court order obtained on short notice to stop a prohibited activity. It remains in effect until an injunction hearing can take place.

W

Waiver - The voluntary relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege.

Z

Zoning - A comprehensive system of land use controls normally reserved for city or county governments.

HOMEOWNER GLOSSARY

A

AAMC - Accredited Association Management Company. This is a manager certification issued by the Community Associations Institute.

AC - Architectural Committee.

ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act.

ADR - See: Alternative Dispute Resolution.

AG - Attorney General.

AICPA - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Alternative Dispute Resolution - Also referred to as ADR. Any form of dispute resolution other than by formal court proceedings. Can include mediation, arbitration, etc.

AMS - Association Management Specialist. A manager certification issued by the Community Associations Institute.

Annexable Property - Property that can be attached, added, joined, or united with the original property included in the CC&R’s

Arbitration - An informal trial proceeding used to settle disputes rather than pursuing formal court proceedings. A decision by an arbitrator can be either binding (final decision) or non-binding (parties may ignore decision).

ARC - Architectural Review Committee.

Areas of Responsibility - A document that outlines and defines the maintenance and/or insurance obligations of the association and its board of directors.

Articles of Incorporation - Documentation filed with a state Secretary of State’s office which establishes general information about a corporation and its purpose.

Association - A non-profit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.

Audit - The highest level of review of an association’s financial books and records. An audit generally involves a complete reconciliation of all vouchers, charges, and expenditures. An annual audit is normally required by the association’s declaration.

B

Ballot - A piece of paper on which an association member registers his or her vote on a decision voted upon by the association at a called meeting.

Binding agreement - A contract which is enforceable such as an offer to buy or sell when person to whom it is made accepts it and communicates his acceptance.

Board of Directors - The governing body of a corporation such as an association. The board is elected by the members of the association. The directors and officers have a duty to comply with the governing documents of the association and all applicable laws.

Budget - The financial plan for an association which estimates income and expenses for a specific time period.

By-Laws - Formal rules and regulations adopted by an association which govern its activities and actions of the board of directors.

C

CAI - Community Associations Institute.

CC&Rs - Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions are the association’s governing documents also referred to as the declaration, rules, regulations, or master deed. The CC&Rs are filed in the real property records of the county in which the association is located.

CD - Certificate of Deposit.

CID - Common Interest Development.

CMCA - Certified Manager of Community Associations. This is a manager certification issued by the National Board of Certification of Community Association Managers.

Common Area - The improved real property shared by the members of an association.

Community Association - A property owners’ association requiring mandatory membership bound by governing documents which require individual owners to pay assessments for the maintenance and administration of the common areas.

Community Enhancement Fund - The Community Enhancement Fund is a special operating account created to support quality of life programs in a community association such as:

– Unique projects that are consistent with the spirit and focus of the community.

– Activities that improve the physical and aesthetic environment of the community.– Initiatives that strengthen the community’s identity.

– Partnerships and participation of residents and businesses in improving their community.

-Funding the Community Enhancement Fund may be accomplished by a special budget allocation, by special assessment, by a fee imposed on all new purchasers, or by other means determined by the board of directors and authorized by state statute or the governing documents of the association.

Condominium (Condo) - A development consisting of an undivided interest in a common area coupled with a separate interest in a unit.

COOP - Also Co-Op and Co-Operative. Refers to a “Stock Cooperative,” one of the forms of common interest developments.

Cooperative / Co-op - A development in which a corporation holds title to all improved real property and the corporation’s shareholders receive a right of exclusive occupancy in a portion of that real property.

Covered property - The property described as an exhibit to the CC&R’s plus the additional property if any that is annexed in.

CPA - Certified Public Accountant.

CPI - Consumer Price Index. Commonly used for budgeting purposes.

Cumulative vote - Voting in which a member may cast as many votes for a director as he/she has votes multiplied by the number of open director seats to be elected.

D

Developer (Declarant) - The person or group who either signs the original declaration governing the development and association or acquires the original developer’s (declarant’s) rights.

Directors & Officers Liability Coverage - Insurance coverage that protects the association’s volunteer board members in lawsuits brought due to their actions taken on behalf of the association. Board members are not protected from actions proven to be criminal or negligent.

E

Easement - An interest or right in real property which grants a right to a landowner to use the land of another for a special purpose. An association may often have an easement for slope maintenance or other repair purposes, or a public utility may have an easement for maintenance or repairs.

Encroachment - Anything belonging to one landowner that extends onto an adjacent landowner’s property such as a fence, landscaping, etc.

Executive Session - A board meeting session that is closed to the membership with discussion items that are regulated by state statues.

F

FCC - Federal Communications Commission.

FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Fiduciary - The highest ethical and moral obligations and duty of good faith a person is charged with for fulfilling their responsibilities. The board of directors of a community association has a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of the association.

G

GAAP - Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. A set of rules, conventions, standards, and procedures for reporting financial information.

Governing Documents - The declaration, bylaws, operating rules, articles of incorporation or other documents which govern the operation of the association.

H

HELOC - Home Equity Line of Credit.

HOA - Homeowners Association.

Hold harmless agreement - A contractual arrangement whereby one party assumes the liability inherent in a situation, thereby relieving the other party of responsibility.

HUD - Housing and Urban Development Department of the federal government.

HVAC - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

I

IDR - Internal Dispute Resolution

Indemnity - A contract or agreement whereby one person agrees to protect and defend another against loss or damage.

Injunction - A request for the court to require a party to stop doing something (or sometimes to do something) until the situation can be resolved legally.

L

License - Permission granted by an owner to another for the execution of work on the owner’s land.

Lien - A monetary claim made against a property for unpaid mortgage, taxes, contractor work, or other charges. A lien attaches to the property, not the owner, but must be recorded in the property records of the resident county.

LSM - Large-Scale Manager. This is a manager certification issued by the Community Associations Institute.

M

Majority vote - Vote by more than half of the voters for a candidate or other matter on the ballot.

Managing Agent - A person or entity hired to assist the board of directors in enforcing the documents and managing the assets, including funds, of the association.

Mediation - An informal proceeding during which a neutral third person works with both parties in a legal dispute trying to reach a resolution.

Mitigate - An attempt to alleviate trouble or cause damage to be less severe.

Motion - A formal request, usually in writing, for a hearing and decision on a specific issue.

MUD - Mixed Use Development.

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N