Quality of life in a residential estate can be wonderful, with tons of recreational facilities, exquisitely kept gardens and parks and opportunities to socialise , but unless it is well run, that beauty may only be skin-deep. 

That’s the view of Omar Kinnear, developer of ResidentPortal, a web-based communications platform for community schemes, who notes: “Despite outward appearances of peaceful living, there are any number of instances where there is conflict between board members and when that happens, it’s hard to avoid it cascading down to inefficient management of the estate.  Estate managers become increasingly frustrated by constantly receiving conflicting instructions, which in turn inevitably leads to complaints from residents – not an ideal situation.”

According to Kinnear, the best-run estates have directors with certain characteristics that will lead to a community that is well served.

“It all starts with a willingness to serve,” he says, “since the position offers no remuneration despite carrying considerable risk and responsibilities.”  Sadly, there are any number of cases where selfish ambitions take priority, which leads to rocky overall management.

Listing the characteristics that make for successful board members, he says they should be:

1. Consistent: Board members need to be consistent in enforcing regulations within the community. When owners see that each person is treated equally, regardless of their relationship to the director, they’re more likely to respect his or her authority.”
2. Fair: Board members need to be able to set aside personal relationships and biases. They need to make objective decisions and set an example for the community with their actions.
3. Conscientious: Board members should be driven by a strong sense of integrity, across all situations. They need to abide by the laws that they enforce, even when no one’s watching.

4. Detail-oriented: Board members need to understand every component of the documents that their community is founded on before they begin to enforce a single policy. It isn’t easy digging into the details of the HOA’s governing documents, but it’s a commitment that each board member needs to make.
5. Cooperative: Board members should be motivated by a desire to seek consensus. They have to be able to listen to all sides of an issue and work with people from varied backgrounds toward the common goal of improving their community.
6. Transparent: When board members readily share information with each other and the community, respect increases exponentially. Obviously, there are situations when confidentiality is key; but boards shouldn’t get into the habit of operating behind closed doors.
7. Adaptable: Board members can’t be resistant to change. If there’s a better way to do something, they need to be open to changing their strategy for the good of the community.
8. Thick-skinned: Board members can’t take things personally. Disagreements are inevitable, and a board can’t afford to have a member who’s vindictive, biased, or petty.
9. Able to ask for help: Board members can’t let their pride prevent them from bringing in an expert when necessary. They need the humility to admit that they don’t always have the answers and turn to an expert for advice when necessary.
10. Able to delegate: When things get busy, board members need to be comfortable relinquishing control over projects, trusting that others can carry them through to completion.

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