A Homeowners Association (HOA) and property management serve different but complementary roles in community operations. An HOA is a governing body made up of elected homeowner board members who establish community rules, bylaws, and policies, make strategic decisions, approve budgets, and set long-term vision for the community. The HOA holds the legal authority and fiduciary responsibility for the association.
Property management, on the other hand, is an operational service—either performed by a professional property management company or handled by the HOA board themselves (self-managed). Property managers execute the day-to-day administrative tasks including collecting HOA dues, coordinating maintenance and repairs, managing vendor relationships, handling resident communications, enforcing community rules, and maintaining financial records. In essence, the HOA provides governance and strategic direction, while property management handles the tactical execution and operational logistics that keep the community running smoothly.