🕵️ Who’s Really Running the Show? When Your HOA Lists an Attorney or Management Company as the LLC Agent

When you think about who should represent your HOA legally, you might assume it would be an elected board member — someone who lives in the community and has a direct stake in its wellbeing.

But what if your HOA’s official registered agent on the LLC filing is not a board member — but the attorney they’ve hired to represent them? Or worse, a management company that technically works for the board?

Let’s break down why that matters — and why, in my case, it’s even more alarming.

🔍 Why This Should Concern You

When an attorney or management company is listed as the official agent on a legal document like your HOA’s LLC registration, it sends a strong message:

✅ They are the gatekeepers✅ They control the correspondence and legal notices✅ They can influence decisions behind the scenes

This creates a serious power imbalance. The people tasked with advising the board (or implementing its decisions) may now become the board’s legal face, with no real oversight from the homeowners themselves.

⚠️ What Makes My HOA Different

In my community, we don’t even have a management company. So why does our HOA operate with the same power structure — secrecy, retaliation, and financial opacity — that’s often seen in poorly regulated setups with third-party management?

That’s the kicker.

It’s not just that the attorney is listed on the LLC as the agent — it’s the fact that our board has no buffer, no checks, and no professional accountability.

This isn’t just unethical — it raises red flags about conflicts of interest, self-dealing, and a potential abuse of power.

💡 What You Should Do

If you're a homeowner, here's how to check who's listed on your HOA's LLC:

1. Visit the Georgia Corporations Division

2. Type in your HOA’s legal name

3. Look for the “Registered Agent” section

Then ask yourself:

• Is it a current board member?

• Is it an outside attorney?

• Is it a management company with no homeowner oversight?

If it’s not a board member, that’s a red flag worth investigating.

📣 The Bigger Picture

This type of setup is why HOA reform is so desperately needed in Georgia. The people in charge of your community’s funds, rules, and enforcement often face zero training requirements, no term limits, and no oversight.

I've turned my experience into a platform for advocacy and change. That’s why I created Home Sweet Headache — a blog that exposes the cracks in the HOA system and gives voice to homeowners who are tired of the harassment and secrecy.

We are stronger when we speak up.