Our firm has encountered situations where new board members were handed boxes of association records or been asked to review and ascertain what records the association should keep or send to the shredder. It is a big decision, but don’t be discouraged, here are a few tips you should keep in mind as you sort through the pile of papers.

Remember, associations are recognized as legal entities, so certain records must be preserved for the proper period of time.

1. Retain financial records permanently

Accounting statements documenting the association’s history should be retained permanently. Tax forms and supporting documentation must be retained for at least seven years. Banking records for the past four or more years should be kept.

 

2. Your governing documents provide the corporate history

The articles of incorporation, bylaws, deeds, easements, contracts, rules and regulations and architectural guidelines are examples of the various records that must be retained throughout the existence of the community association. As updates are made, previous versions should be retained.

 

3. Association records should be maintained seven years

All of the documents that contain information concerning the activities of the association should be retained for at least seven years. Details concerning the actions taken are essential when questions arise.

Employment records

Expired contracts

Expired leases

Insurance documents

Accident reports and settled claims

 

4. The business of the association should be retained permanently

These records should be properly organized so that information is easily found.

Board meeting minutes

Board actions

Homeowner complaints

Email history

 

5. Unit-ownership history should be retained in separate files

All documents for each unit must be retained in separate files. This historical record is important for the new owners when the unit transfers ownership.

General correspondence with homeowners

Work orders

Complaints and violation notices

Architectural modification requests

 

It is important to keep and retain records organized for easy retrieval, in a safe storage environment and in accordance with Arizona law. All of my firm’s (Mulcahy Law Firm, P.C.) attorneys are available to answer questions regarding records retention.