More than 75 million Americans live in neighborhoods with homeowners associations (HOAs). That accounts for over 30 percent of all homes in the nation, a proportion that is only expected to grow.
This popularity in HOAs reflects the many benefits they afford, like home value retention. They also require a lot of work, including HOA property maintenance. It can be a lot for a volunteer board and community members.
This article lays out some essential HOA maintenance tips for maintaining communal grounds and buildings. Keep reading to find out which community upkeep advice might apply to your Houston neighborhood.
Transparent Communication
The HOA board represents and makes decisions on behalf of neighborhood residents. This means regular communication with community members is vital.
HOAs should regularly send out board meeting minutes, including property maintenance or improvement plans. For major projects, solicit feedback through polls or basic emails to the neighborhood.
Financial Management
Budgeting and planning is a major HOA board responsibility. Usually, funds come from HOA dues paid by community members, so it is important to be good stewards of it.
It is vital to budget for regular maintenance for all community property. This includes HOA landscaping and regular upkeep of buildings and amenities. Boards must budget for occasional repairs, and keep reserves for emergencies.
Recordkeeping and Documentation
Another important aspect of HOA property maintenance is ensuring meticulous recordkeeping. This includes regular maintenance of things like automatic gates. It can extend to HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems maintenance in communal buildings.
Maintenance logs can help keep track of everything from routine maintenance to major repairs. A property upkeep checklist will let you track how much is paid for services and to which contractors were used.
Legal Compliance
Beyond keeping community members happy, HOA boards have to think about local and state regulations. These include things like ordinances and building codes for communal structures.
The neighborhood may need permits to make certain upgrades or for new building projects. It is up to the HOA to make sure the neighborhood is operating in full compliance with such standards.
Hire Professionals
Handing off many of the responsibilities above to a professional property management company can be a huge benefit to HOA boards. It still allows them to make decisions--big and small--about things like grounds maintenance or community improvement projects. But it lets someone else take care of the menial work.
For instance, property management companies can contact contractors and let the board review bids. They can handle daily grounds maintenance tasks and respond to minor emergencies, such as leaks.
They can put together polls and compile results for the board to review. All this can save board members lots of time while keeping them in the driver's seat.
Find High-Quality HOA Property Maintenance Services
Now that you have some essential tips for HOA property maintenance, you can ensure you are getting the most out of your neighborhood. An experienced property management company can further advise you on the best policies for our particular neighborhood.
We hope you found this property management guide helpful. PMI Fine Properties is a full-service property management company serving Houston and the surrounding areas. We offer a range of services, including association management and board resources. Reach out to us today to learn more.
