Which statement is NOT a characteristic of a community association?

• A. Membership is mandatory and automatic for all owners.
• B. Certain governing documents bind the owner and the association to each other through mandated actions.
• C. Mandatory lien-based assessments are levied on each owner.
• D. Membership can be voluntary.

Answer: (D)

Ownership in a community association automatically creates membership and binds the owner to the association’s rules and obligations. That automatic, mandatory membership is what makes the idea of voluntary membership incorrect in this context. The governing documents—covenants, conditions, and restrictions and bylaws—establish the responsibilities and duties between the owner and the association, so there are mandated actions owners must follow or required contributions they must make. Assessments are typically mandatory for all owners to fund maintenance and services, and failure to pay can lead to liens on the property as a strong enforcement mechanism. So the statement that membership can be voluntary does not fit how community associations operate.