The homeowner association, or HOA, “Us versus Them” syndrome is created when the community is formed—through governing documents drafted by attorneys working for developers. Though likely not intended, the documents are written in a manner that often poses homeowners against one another, in lieu of a more cooperative, collaborative approach.

Homeowner association board members, owners, managers, and even many attorneys have been programmed in the “us versus them” mindset. “Us” being the board and managers, and “them” being the individual homeowners. Alternatively, “us” is the homeowners and “them” is the board and manager. Why does this adversarial relationship exist?