Members & process
Member
An owner of a lot or unit subject to the Declaration — automatically a member of the association by virtue of ownership.
Also called: association member · owner · voting member
What it means
In an HOA, the term 'member' is essentially synonymous with 'owner of property bound by the Declaration.' Membership is automatic on taking title and typically cannot be opted out of. Members generally have the right to attend open board meetings, vote in member meetings, run for the board, inspect records, and (depending on the documents and state law) petition for special meetings or initiate recall elections. Some Declarations distinguish member classes — declarant class, regular owner class, lender class — with different voting rights or other privileges, especially during the declarant control period.
Why it matters
Whether an owner is a 'member in good standing' often determines whether they can vote, run for the board, or use community amenities. Most documents allow the board to suspend membership rights for owners more than a stated period delinquent — a tool that's only enforceable if used uniformly.
Example
An owner is 90 days delinquent on dues. The Declaration permits suspension of voting rights and amenity privileges for owners more than 60 days delinquent. The board, applying the policy uniformly across all owners in that status, suspends the owner's pool key and voting rights until the account is current.
This definition is general orientation, not legal advice. Specific questions about your association should be routed to your attorney or a state-statute resource.
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