A homeowners’ or condo owners’ association has the responsibility of community management, which includes making sure that the governing documents are followed. A community association management team can assist with financial and administrative tasks. Here are several tips for building a strong, clean community:
1. Create a Functional Budget
A homeowners’ association creates yearly budgets to plan for community expenses. A functional budget includes provisions for administrative duties, maintenance fees, and reserve funds for larger projects. Having an accurate budget allows the association to determine appropriate assessment amounts or fees from residents. This helps prevent the homeowners’ association (HOA) from overcharging residents or having to collect special assessments later to meet expenses. Having a reserve fund allows the HOA to be prepared for emergencies, such as repairing damages after a natural disaster, and for larger construction projects. A community management company is able to help your association create a budget and manage financial records.
2. Encourage Homeowner Involvement
Homeowners offer valuable contributions by providing community feedback, ratifying budgets, and paying assessments. A quorum, or a minimum number of voters, is required to vote in new board members. Encouraging homeowners to participate in meetings enables residents to voice their opinions on the development of new policies, which facilitates compliance. When residents follow neighborhood policies, it helps prevent conflicts such as noise complaints, and it allows for assessments to be collected on time.
To increase attendance at HOA meetings, keep residents informed of meeting dates and agendas. You can create a newsletter or post announcements on a community portal. Offering electronic voting makes the process more convenient for homeowners’ work and personal schedules. This helps the association meet quorum requirements. Inform residents about assessment collection dates, policy changes, and construction. A community association management company can assist with community communication by writing emails, texts, or in-app notifications.
Delegating tasks to volunteer committees of homeowners allows your association to focus on larger projects, allowing the HOA to run more smoothly. It also encourages homeowner participation and leadership and provides opportunities for neighbors to form positive interpersonal relationships. Committees can be created to oversee landscaping, neighborhood safety, community events, finances, and public relations.
3. Hire a Maintenance Company
Home and condo owners are responsible for maintaining their personal property, and a homeowners’ association keeps the neighborhood’s common elements in good condition. This includes maintaining areas and amenities such as common-use buildings, pools, green space, and playgrounds. Vetting and hiring a reliable maintenance service company helps the HOA maintain a clean and functional neighborhood, protecting property values. It also allows neighbors to gather in common areas safely. Technicians can check the lighting systems, repair roofs and elevators, clean gutters and pools, and perform other maintenance tasks.
Find a Community Management Company
Effective community management may help reduce neighborhood disputes, creating a welcoming environment for residents. It also prevents the association from incurring legal and financial troubles. Your association can choose to hire a community manager for day-to-day assistance or project coordination. To help your HOA create a stronger community, find a reliable community association management company today.