CMCA Beginner's 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A board wishes to amend the CC&Rs of their community. This typically requires:
- A simple majority vote of the board only
- A supermajority vote of the total membership, often 67% or more (Correct answer)
- Approval from the local municipal government
- Written consent from every single homeowner in the community
Correct answer: A supermajority vote of the total membership, often 67% or more
Amending CC&Rs is intentionally difficult and usually requires a high percentage of homeowner approval—commonly two-thirds or more—because they are foundational legal documents.
Question 2: What is 'aging in place' and why is it relevant to community association managers?
- A landscaping technique for mature trees in common areas
- The trend of older residents remaining in their homes longer, requiring accessibility accommodations (Correct answer)
- A method for depreciating common area assets over time
- A process for updating outdated governing documents
Correct answer: The trend of older residents remaining in their homes longer, requiring accessibility accommodations
As populations age, managers must understand how to address accessibility needs, Fair Housing Act accommodations, and service modifications for elderly residents who stay in their homes.
Question 3: Which scenario would most likely constitute selective enforcement by an HOA?
- Fining every homeowner equally for the same parking violation
- Enforcing a landscaping rule against one neighbor but ignoring the same violation by another (Correct answer)
- Sending written notices before issuing fines
- Posting all rule violations on a community bulletin board
Correct answer: Enforcing a landscaping rule against one neighbor but ignoring the same violation by another
Selective enforcement occurs when rules are applied inconsistently against specific individuals, which can expose the association to discrimination claims and legal liability.
Question 4: An HOA board wants to enter a multi-year contract with a landscaping company. What governance step is most important before signing?
- Getting verbal approval from any two board members
- Ensuring the board has authority under the governing documents and passes a formal board resolution (Correct answer)
- Asking the landscaping company to draft the terms unilaterally
- Waiting until the annual meeting to allow homeowner approval
Correct answer: Ensuring the board has authority under the governing documents and passes a formal board resolution
The board must confirm it has contractual authority under the governing documents and document its decision with a formal resolution to protect the association legally.
Question 5: What does 'estoppel certificate' refer to in community association management?
- A financial audit report issued annually by a CPA
- A document confirming a homeowner's current assessment status and any outstanding balances at the time of a property sale (Correct answer)
- A certificate proving the manager has completed required continuing education
- A legal notice sent to delinquent homeowners before foreclosure
Correct answer: A document confirming a homeowner's current assessment status and any outstanding balances at the time of a property sale
An estoppel certificate is issued by the association at closing to certify the amounts owed or paid by the seller, preventing later disputes about unpaid balances.
Question 6: Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following requests by a homeowner with a disability must generally be granted?
- Installing a hot tub on their balcony for relaxation
- Installing a grab bar in their own unit bathroom at their own expense (Correct answer)
- Painting their front door a non-approved color
- Parking a commercial vehicle in a guest spot
Correct answer: Installing a grab bar in their own unit bathroom at their own expense
The Fair Housing Act requires associations to allow reasonable modifications to a unit by a person with a disability, typically at the homeowner's expense.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of the CMCA credential for community association managers?
- To qualify managers to serve on HOA boards as voting members
- To demonstrate baseline professional competency and commitment to ethical community management (Correct answer)
- To allow managers to practice law on behalf of the association
- To certify managers as licensed contractors for maintenance work
Correct answer: To demonstrate baseline professional competency and commitment to ethical community management
The CMCA credential, issued by CAMICB, validates that a manager possesses foundational knowledge and meets ethical standards required to professionally manage community associations.
CMCA Beginner's 5
A board wishes to amend the CC&Rs of their community.
This typically requires: