Condo Association Management Blog

If there was no one else possible for the job, I may consider it but since you rent your place out how can you be open to what is going on. I would actually turn down the offer myself as I think being a good director should live in the place they are going to be on the board for. I have just had the most corrupt board of directors and management company so I am against anyone doing what I believe should not be done and if you ever stop renting and move into that condo, I think you should be one the board then. Best to you and it is nice to know at least you are ethical enough to ask for an opinion.

It sounds as though they are asking you for one of two reasons: they can find no one willing to be on the board or they want/need your experience. As the owner, you have a vested interest and I see no reason you could not or should not accept if you are willing and able.

Chilly, I so agree with you. We have five on our board, only two of us live here and have for years. The other three have never lived on the property and are in cahoots to make all these changes and bully us, or disregard the rules and regs by saying they are trivial. Go figure.

I see no reason why you cannot serve on 2 condo boards at the same time. Being a member gives you the right to serve. Some people think the directors should live on site, but I don't know that that is necessary. If you are the type of person who strives to do your best at all times then you will be that way no matter where you serve. IMO, a director who doesn't live on site and does a lousy job will also do a lousy job serving on the board where he lives. The only thing that may be a problem is not having the necessary time to dedicate to 2 jobs!! But,if you feel that won't be a problem then I say, go for it. 
 
 
 
Good luck!!

Inthe most common form, Condo and HOA bylaws require that a memebr who wishes to serve on the Board of directors must be a resident owner. Amany state laws mandating how condos and Hoas shakll be managed reimforce this requirement. You might relate this requirement to our national need for a Presidential candiodate to like wise be native born and dwell in our country. So to answer your question you may not serve on more than one Board. If the group who wish you to oparticipate why not do so as an adviser or consultant??

Not so. If you have a legal interest in the property (a lease is a legal interest), then unless the bylaws specifically require a board member to be an OWNER, you may be on the board. In addition, a person may serve on as many boards as he or she wishes. There are many cases of investors who own multiple properties across multiple projects, and sit on the boards of many or all of them. 
 
There are many instances where boards have invited non-residents without interest in the property to serve on the board. It doesn't make a lot of sense for the person to commit time and effort to a project in which they have no interest, but it happens. For instance, someone at the property may have a close relationship with an engineer or lawyer, and their presence on the board would be welcomed expertise.  
 
They only two restrictions to serving on a board that are approximately universal across all properties is that a person must be over 18, and not in default of their fees. 

Sorry but I take issue with the klast post. Almost universally bylaws specify that to qualify for election to the Board of Directors the candidate must be a resident unit owner. Many state laws lend additional weight to this requirement.

In most states, the only requirement is ownership and to be current in your obligations. Some states may have requirements that you must be a resident unit owner, but I have not seen these requirements. An association must ask itself - who has financial interest, and why would you want to limit volunteers?

It is not a choice. If the bylaws and your state laws require a board member to be a resident owner that must be obeyed. You're argument abount financial interest is specious in the face of the bylaws and state laws.

Check the bylaws. Most require a board member to be a resident owner.