How do I get started with OurHOA?
Reviewed by the OurHOA team · Updated July 2026
A practical first-day checklist for board members and residents, from creating your community to preparing online payments.
Joining as a resident
Ask your board for an invitation to your existing community. Use the email address they invited, follow the sign-in link, and choose your password when prompted. Creating a new community is for the founding board member. If you do not see your home or dues after signing in, ask your board to assign your home.
Creating a community for your board
Choose a recognizable community name and a short website address, then create your account. If asked to confirm your email, open the confirmation message before signing in. Your dashboard includes a setup checklist. Begin by adding homes and their monthly assessment amounts.
Invite neighbors after adding homes
Open Members in the board tools, add each home, then invite residents and select their home. Check the email address and role before sending: most neighbors should be residents. Keep board and manager access limited to people who need to administer the community.
Prepare online payments
Open Finances and complete the community payment-account setup. Payment availability depends on the account being approved for charges and payouts. Residents can use Payments to submit their balance once processing is available. Bank payments take time to settle, and a checkout return is not a final receipt. Automatic withdrawals are not available yet; residents must initiate each payment.
Publish and check your website
Open Website to review the starter page, replace sample content, and choose your community color. Use the preview to check the result before sharing it. Your public address also needs domain and certificate setup. If it does not open yet, use Retry address setup and check again later.
Find your way around
On a computer, use the sidebar. On a phone, open Menu below the community header for Payments, Requests, Documents, Calendar, and other tools. Board members also see board tools there. Start with the free plan; paid upgrades are not currently available in the app.
OurHOA is the friendly, affordable way self-managed communities keep dues, records, and reminders in one place. See how it works.
These guides are general education for HOA boards and residents, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by your community's governing documents - check with a professional for your situation.