The New Nevada HOA law requires each homeowners’ association (HOA) with 150 or more units to establish and maintain a secure website or electronic portal for residents, as well as provide an electronic payment option for assessments. If you’re part of an HOA in Nevada, it’s essential to understand these new requirements and how they affect you. 

In this article, we’ll explain what this new regulation means for you and your community and provide tips on choosing the best provider for your HOA.

NRS 116.31069  Establishment and maintenance of Internet website or electronic portal; payment of assessments electronically.

Nevada recently passed new legislation affecting common-interest communities with 150 or more units. Under the new law (NV Rev Stat § 116.31069), each HOA must establish and maintain a secure internet website or electronic portal that can be accessed by any unit’s owner. 

The association shall make available on the website or portal any documents relating to the common-interest community or the association, including, without limitation:

(a) The governing documents;

(b) The most recent copy of the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions;

(c) The annual budget of the association and any proposed budgets;

(d) The notices and agendas for any upcoming meetings of the association; 

(e) Any other documents required to be posted by law or the community association’s regulations.

The law also requires the website or portal to allow unit owners to pay assessments electronically. If your HOA contains fewer than 150 units, the law still encourages you to establish and maintain a secure internet website or electronic portal.

But what exactly are HOA websites and portals, and why are they so beneficial?

What is an HOA website?

An HOA website is an online page dedicated to your association. HOA board members can publish information, such as governing documents, events, news, images as well asother community-related announcements. Homeowners can access this information at any time of the day, making it convenient for them to stay informed and up-to-date. Usually, websites can be accessed by anyone on the internet. This helps promote your HOA to potential buyers. They can access information about amenities, social events, and more.

These insights can help them make informed decisions about whether the community is a good fit for them. On the other hand, as websites are accessible by the general public, it is not a good idea to put sensitive information there. An HOA portal would be the preferred option for sharing sensitive information related to community management since access to it is restricted to homeowners and board members.

What is an HOA portal?

An HOA portal is similar to a website, but it often includes additional features that only homeowners can access. These features can include, community forums, online notices, maintenance requests, a finance system, and more. A portal is a platform where HOA members have to login to view information, which means that it’s secured. This means that homeowners need to enter their usernames and passwords to access it. The purpose of an HOA portal is to facilitate communication and management between homeowners, board members, and management companies. 

Unlike an HOA website, which is accessible by the general public, an HOA portal provides a secure and private environment for discussions, document sharing, and other sensitive tasks.

The benefits of having both solutions in one platform

Good news! You don’t have to choose one over the other. Using both an HOA website and an HOA portal can offer a wealth of benefits. These solutions complement each other and can work together to provide a centralized hub for your community. 

Some companies provide both solutions in one platform so you can manage your site and portal in one place. This is the best way to have seamless integration between both platforms. It makes everything easier and saves you a lot of time. Typically, these companies make it easy for you to create a website. Then, from the website, homeowners can log in to a secure portal where they can access extra features and information. 

Tracking finances and paying online assessments through integrations

When choosing an HOA portal, you can either opt for one with built-in finance and payment features or one that integrates with other financial software solutions such as Quickbooks. Both options allow you to simplify your accounting and pay assessments online. However, integrating with a renowned and trusted software like Quickbooks adds a layer of security. It decreases the risk of errors, and it significantly reduces the risk of fraud.

It also ensures that homeowners’ sensitive financial information is protected. 

It is also a great option if you already use finance software. Integrating your existing account to your HOA portal means you don’t lose any data or have to migrate all the information to a new system.

When we talk about integration, we mean that you can access information and use features all in one platform. By combining a website, portal, and payment capabilities in one place, you get a perfect combination that makes everything much easier to manage. Having all the tools you need in a single location simplifies the process of managing your HOA.

Choosing the right provider and complying with the new Nevada HOA law

Choosing the right provider for your HOA portal and website isn’t an easy task. Fortunately, a lot of software companies offer free demos and trials. It’s essential to do those to see if the platform fits your needs and most importantly if it helps you comply with the new Nevada HOA law. 

Consider a provider with a user-friendly interface for easy navigation and usage by homeowners and board members.

Last but not least, don’t underestimate the importance of finding a provider with responsive and helpful customer support. Easy access to customer support can save you time and frustration if you encounter technical issues or have questions. Look for a provider with various support channels and a reputation for providing prompt and effective assistance. Check customer reviews and testimonials to ensure the provider has a track record of delivering excellent customer service. Capterra and Sourceforge are great software review sites that help you find providers and see their ratings and reviews. 

Check out our webinar recording below for more tips on choosing the best HOA software for your community.

Final points on the new Nevada HOA law

In conclusion, the New Nevada HOA law requires homeowners’ associations with 150 or more units to establish and maintain a secure website or electronic portal for residents and provide an electronic payment option for assessments. HOAs with less than 150 units are encouraged to do it. By combining a website, portal, and financial features in one place, managing your HOA becomes much easier. 

Make sure to choose an easy-to-use solution with great customer support. 

By taking advantage of free demos and trials, HOAs can ensure that the provider they select is the right fit for them and can help them comply with the new regulation.