17 HOA Property Manager Interview Questions and Answers

An HOA property manager is responsible for the overall management of a homeowners’ association. The duties of an HOA property manager include but are not limited to: collecting monthly association dues, maintaining the common areas of the property, enforcing the rules and regulations of the HOA, and preparing and managing the annual budget.

If you’re interested in becoming an HOA property manager, you will need to go through a job interview process. During the interview, the interviewer will ask you a variety of questions to assess your suitability for the job. In this guide, we will provide you with a list of the most common HOA property manager interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws that govern property management?

The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that protects the rights of people to buy or rent housing without discrimination. It also requires HOAs to make reasonable accommodations for disabled residents and prohibits them from discriminating against families with children. Hiring managers may ask this question to ensure you understand your legal obligations as a property manager and how they relate to their community. In your answer, try to show that you are familiar with these laws and can apply them in practice.

Example: “I am very familiar with the Fair Housing Act and other state and federal laws that govern property management. I have taken several online courses on fair housing laws and regulations, which has helped me learn about the specific requirements of my community. As an HOA property manager, it’s important to me to provide equal access to all residents while maintaining the safety and aesthetic standards of the neighborhood.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful HOA property manager?

An HOA property manager needs to be organized, detail-oriented and able to work well with others. These are all qualities that an employer may look for in a candidate. When answering this question, try to list the most important qualities you have that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities is patience. I’ve worked with many different people over my career, and I know that everyone has their own unique personality. It’s important to me that I can help each person feel heard and respected while still getting the job done. Another quality I think is important is organization. I like to keep track of everything so that I don’t miss anything.”

How do you build and maintain positive relationships with tenants and other stakeholders?

An HOA property manager needs to be able to work with a variety of people. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively.

Example: “I believe that building positive relationships is one of the most important parts of my job. I always try to greet residents when I see them in common areas, and I make sure to listen to their concerns or questions. If they need something from me, I do my best to respond quickly. When I am on site, I also take time to introduce myself to new residents so they feel welcome. This helps build trust between stakeholders and the association.”

What is your process for identifying and addressing potential problems before they become serious issues?

Homeowners associations often have a lot of responsibilities, and the board members need to be able to identify potential problems before they become serious issues. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would handle this responsibility in your role as property manager for an HOA. Use examples from previous experience to describe what steps you take to ensure that you’re addressing any issues or concerns before they get out of hand.

Example: “I always make sure I’m aware of all current projects and initiatives within the community. If I notice something like a broken streetlight or a pothole on the road, I’ll contact the appropriate department to schedule repairs or replacements. I also regularly check in with homeowners about their concerns so I can address them quickly.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to negotiate with a difficult tenant. What tactics did you use to try to resolve the situation?

An HOA property manager may need to work with tenants who have complaints or concerns about the community. An interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills and how you can help resolve tenant issues. In your answer, try to describe a situation where you helped a tenant solve their problem in a way that satisfied them while also maintaining good relationships with them.

Example: “In my previous role as an HOA property manager, I had a tenant who frequently called me with complaints about other residents. The tenant would often call me at all hours of the day and night to report minor infractions like loud music or cars parked on the street. I tried to be empathetic when speaking with the tenant but explained that we could not always enforce every rule.

Eventually, I realized that the tenant was lonely and wanted someone to talk to. I started asking the tenant questions about themselves and learned they were recently divorced. I offered to meet for coffee so we could get to know each other better. After our meeting, the tenant no longer called me with complaints and instead began sharing stories about her life.”

If you could change one thing about the property management industry, what would it be?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the industry and how you can improve it. When answering this question, think about what frustrates you or what you would like to see change in the industry. You can also use this as an opportunity to talk about a specific skill that you have that could help make improvements.

Example: “If I could change one thing about the property management industry, I would make sure every HOA had a dedicated property manager. In my experience, many HOAs are under-resourced when it comes to their property managers. This means they don’t have enough staff to handle all of the work required to keep up with the needs of the community. If I were hired by an HOA, I would be able to take on more responsibilities and free up time for the board members so they can focus on strategic planning.”

What would you do if you suspected one of your tenants was engaging in illegal activity in their unit?

HOAs often have to deal with tenants who break the rules or engage in illegal activity. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle such a situation and ensure that your community remains safe for all residents. In your answer, try to show that you are committed to following the law and protecting the rights of others.

Example: “I would first make sure I had enough evidence to support my suspicions. If so, I would call the police and report the suspected crime. Then, I would inform the tenant that they were breaking the rules and give them an opportunity to explain themselves. Depending on their response, I might decide to evict them from the property.”

How well do you handle stress and pressure?

HOAs can be stressful environments to work in, especially when you’re managing a large community. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the right personality for the job. In your answer, share how you handle stress and pressure. Explain that you are able to stay calm under pressure and solve problems quickly.

Example: “I find that I am very good at handling stress and pressure. When working as an HOA property manager, there is often a lot of pressure to get things done on time. However, I always try my best to meet deadlines and keep residents happy. I also like to take calculated risks when making decisions. This helps me avoid unnecessary stress.”

Do you have experience using property management software? Which programs are you most familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your familiarity with the software they use at their company. If you have experience using a similar program, share what you like about it and how it helped you in your previous role.

Example: “I’ve used several different property management programs throughout my career, but I find that PropertyPro is one of the most user-friendly systems I’ve ever encountered. It’s easy to navigate and provides me with all the information I need to manage an HOA community. The system allows me to keep track of maintenance requests, communicate with homeowners and even collect rent online.”

When is it appropriate to ask a tenant to move out?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you handle conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a situation where you asked a tenant to move out and the outcome.

Example: “In my experience as a property manager, I’ve had to ask tenants to move out for various reasons. For instance, in one community I managed, there was a tenant who consistently paid their rent late. After several warnings, I decided that it would be best for everyone if they moved out so we could find someone who would pay on time. They were upset at first, but eventually found another place to live.”

We want to improve our customer service reputation. What changes would you make to improve our customer service levels?

Customer service is an important aspect of any business, and HOAs are no different. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific changes you would make to improve customer satisfaction levels within the HOA community.

Example: “I think one way we could improve our customer service reputation is by making sure all staff members have a friendly attitude when speaking with residents. I also think that having more open communication between management and residents will help us build better relationships. For example, if there’s a problem in a resident’s neighborhood, I would like to see the property manager reach out to them personally to discuss their concerns.”

Describe your personal philosophy on customer service.

Customer service is an important part of the HOA property manager’s job. The board members and homeowners in your community are your customers, so it’s essential to have a philosophy on how you treat them. When answering this question, explain what motivates you to provide excellent customer service.

Example: “I believe that every interaction with a homeowner should be positive. I always try to greet people when I see them in the neighborhood and make sure they know I’m available if they need anything. If someone has a complaint or concern, I listen carefully and address their issue as quickly as possible. I also like to send out monthly newsletters to keep residents informed about upcoming events and projects.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have what it takes to be a successful HOA property manager. Use this time to highlight any skills, experience or education that makes you an ideal candidate for this role.

Example: “I am passionate about helping homeowners and residents feel safe in their communities. I know how important it is to maintain a clean neighborhood, so I’m always looking for ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs. In my last position, I reduced our landscaping budget by 20% while still maintaining a beautiful community.”

Which property management certifications or licenses do you hold?

HOA property managers may need to hold a variety of certifications or licenses depending on the state they work in. An interviewer might ask this question to see if you have any relevant credentials that can help you succeed in their role. If you do, share them with the interviewer and explain how these credentials helped you become an effective HOA property manager.

Example: “I am a certified property manager through the National Association of Residential Property Managers. I also have my real estate license, which allows me to sell homes within the community. These two credentials allow me to understand the legal aspects of managing HOA properties and selling homes.”

What do you think is the most important thing that a property manager can do to maintain the integrity of a property?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to an HOA property. When answering this question, make sure that you highlight your understanding of what makes a property valuable and how you would protect it as a property manager.

Example: “I think one of the most important things a property manager can do to maintain the integrity of a property is to ensure that all repairs are done in a timely manner. If there are any issues with the property, I would want to be notified so that I could get them fixed before they became more serious. Another thing I would do is keep track of all maintenance records for each home. This will allow me to see if there are any patterns or trends that may need to be addressed.”

How often should you perform routine maintenance on a property?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the HOA’s maintenance schedule. Use examples from your previous experience to explain how often you performed routine maintenance on a property and what kind of maintenance it was.

Example: “In my last position, I scheduled routine maintenance for all properties every six months. This included checking the condition of the landscaping, inspecting the exterior paint job and making sure that all appliances were in working order. I also inspected the interior of each home at least once per year to make sure there weren’t any safety hazards or damage.”

There is a bug infestation in one of your units. What is your process for handling this situation?

Bugs can be a common problem in HOA communities. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle these types of situations and if you have any special processes for handling them. In your answer, try to describe the steps you would take to identify the bug, determine its source and eliminate it from the community.

Example: “I would first inspect all units that are affected by the bugs to find out where they’re coming from. I would then contact the homeowner to let them know about the infestation and what we plan to do about it. Next, I would call an exterminator to treat the entire community so that we could get rid of the bugs once and for all.”