Part 2 in the HOA Compliance Series. See part 1, Stress Free HOA Management here. 

No one likes being told what to do, especially property-owning adults. While residents generally don’t like hearing they’ve done something wrong, an HOA and its governing documents are your community’s best tools for maintaining property values and curb appeal. Even though it isn’t fun to notify a resident that they’ve done something against the CC&Rs, it is a critical step in maintaining your community’s value.

Let’s take a look at the most common violations:

  1. Improper storage of recreational vehicles and cars – Most communities don’t allow boats, RVs or any other vehicle to be park in front of a home or in the driveway longer than a 24-hour period. For example, if you have Cousin Eddie’s RV from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation parked in the street, it’s time for an intervention. Notify the offending RV owner that it’s time to move their RV (or boat, truck, etc.).
  1. Proper landscaping – As soon as spring hits, everything starts growing. If a homeowner isn’t actively maintaining their landscaping, their yard will soon look like Boo Radely’s house from To Kill a Mockingbird. Keep an eye out for yards that show clear neglect. They aren’t hard to miss, and you don’t want anyone’s run-down house scaring neighborhood kids.
  1. Home improvement projects – Notify residents that any aboveground improvement visible from the street needs to be approved by the HOA. This is one of those common rules many people don’t know, and it’s important to educate your residents on the proper process.
  1. Garbage – This one applies to both the trash bins and people letting junk collect in their yards. We’ve all seen “those” neighbors who think the curb is the best place to store garbage cans, or maybe they allow odds and ends (AKA junk) to collect on their porch. While it may suite them, most HOAs don’t allow junk or garbage cans to sit in the font yard and rightly so! It doesn’t take long for a junk collector to start looking like a hoarder.
  1. Signage – Outside of real estate signage, most HOAs prohibit or strictly monitor any signage. No community wants to claim a house that looks like the bumper of a heavily stickered car. While a sign here and there may not cause issues, someone who litters their yard and windows with signs will impact curb appeal.

RELATED: Tips for HOA Crime Prevention 

Although CC&Rs are excellent at outlining rules and policies, enforcing them isn’t always as black and white. There may be exceptions to these rules, but make sure you are consistent with how you enforce them. Even if residents don’t like being told what to do (who does?), being fair and upfront with them will help ensure things go smoothly and are resolved quickly.

For more information on how to make managing a HOA easier, contact Spectrum today!