WE HAVE THE
POWER! to understand the importance, of forming and participating in a homeowners association, form a solid
foundation, and build an organization that has the power to make changes. Every association member needs to actively participate.
Membership is the heart and
soul of your organization; you develop and evolve by addressing issues and problems that violate our rights and freedoms as
homeowners.
We
target areas of our community, by working with the laws, homeowners learn their rights, learn how to enforce their rights,
how to work through problems and get real changes. We can actively make a difference in our park and help produce new laws
and changes in legislation that will protect us and put us on equal ground with every homeowner in Michigan.
Our voices are strong, and we
are seriously hindered by substantial losses to our houses, our rights and our image as homeowners. The changes we make are
important, we are here, there and everywhere, working for us, our neighbors, and our community. Join the multitudes of park
held homeowners that are starting associations allover the State and millions across the country.
HOW WE DO IT…..We review the current laws, teach our members where the laws are and
how associations can use these laws to their advantage. We review city and local ordinances, and instruct on how to make
local & State contacts to discuss the laws and enforcement. We review the local and State complaint process and provide
useful information to all members such as links and addresses and telephone numbers and email addresses
What have you done? Do
you have a homeowners association where you live? Do you participate with your association? Are you going to help form
an association in your community? We must band together, speak with one voice together to have an impact. The change has to
come from each of us, willing to sacrifice a little time and speak to our neighbors and get them to join the cause. We need
to get serious about making a difference. MOLA now has a solid foundation to build upon and we must get to work.
Why form a homeowners association
Residents
of any manufactured home park should join together with their neighbors to form a homeowners association (also known as an
HOA). The concept is simple: there is great strength in numbers. Homeowners associations give structure and legitimacy to
any group of neighbors who want to organize to protect and improve their community. Homeowners associations strengthen the
voices of mobile/manufactured homeowners in negotiation, and help them to: preserve property values, create safe neighborhoods,
and ensure that park management complies with the law. In short: they are assets to the parks, and the community as a whole!
One
of the services MOLA provides is helping communities form a home owners association. The benefits include:
Keeping residents
better informed on local and state issues.
Arranging meetings that include speakers to help educate residents about
current issues and resources their rights and laws.
Help draft issue forms and ways to present to manager/owner.
Help
foster a sense of unity among the neighborhood.
Open and/or improve communications with management.
Give residents
a voice in their neighborhood.
Help with changes that can arise with a new manager or landlord.
Show others
you are an organized community that cares.
Most asked questions about starting a homeowners association:
If I become a board member of a home owners association, how much of my time will be needed?
It depends
on the size of your community and the number of members elected to your board. It can take time for the first board to set
up by-laws and establish the protocol for future boards. This takes place after the first election by the community. It is
then up to the community to decide how often you need to meet. What commonly happens is the first Board meets 3 or 4 times
before the 2nd membership meeting to decide on the by-laws, how to handle any community problems, and let the community
know that there is an association. Most communities have meetings every three months after the first 6 months of formation.
The association should meet every month the first 6 months as the reason the association was formed was to handle certain
issues which need their input. . Many invite someone with the local police department to establish a community watch, or learn
about issues that effect their area. Most communities offer a newsletter every three months to let residents know about a
future meeting and other news that affects them. It can take up as much, or as little, time as the board members feel is needed
or are able to give to the association.
Can I be evicted for helping to form an association?
No,
there are State of Michigan laws that protect the residents. If a manager or landlord would harass board members
or members in anyway, there are many avenues that can help stop this. Residents of the community have the right to decide
if they want an association. Once organized, management and residents can work together to maintain a neighborhood that will
attract new home owners, while maintaining a neighborhood that enhances the value of the homes.
What
if we start an association and management will not meet with us?
There are some communities that will not let
their managers meet with board members. This does not mean that you can not improve your community. Your local association
can still foster a sense of unity and stay educated on both local and state issues that affect your chosen lifestyle. In time
maybe your landlord/manager will understand that working together will help all involved.
What
is the hardest thing to deal with once an association is established?
Once you have established an association
and time has passed, many of the problems your community had have been worked out. Now you find there is no sure cure for
your local problems until a state law has been passed. Or, due to your success, residents may no longer feel a need for an
association. You may find most residents are now happy with the way things are going. Some associations have dissolved once
immediate problems were addressed only to find themselves re-forming again 2 or more years later. Reasons for reforming an
association include: there is no longer a voice for the residents; or a new landlord/manager has become involved. An association
can help smooth the way for changes that can occur in a community. There are many community activities that the time and energy
involved in dealing with problems can now be used to maintain and better a community.
He who remains silent gives consent
