The word “housekeeping” may call up images of shower scrubbing, dusting and vacuuming; but the kind of housekeeping we’re talking about has to do with maintaining proper waste removal and outdoor neatness in your community.

When sidewalks are swept, poop is scooped, and loose garbage is picked up, your community will shine with pride of ownership. If, however, pet owners don’t clean up after their dogs, if someone lets junk pile up on their porch, or if someone leaves their overflowing garbage bins in plain sight, your community appearance and desirability will deteriorate quickly. Here are a few ways to prioritize and maintain proper waste removal and general community cleanliness.

Related: Understanding Your HOA Documents

Reduce Pet Waste Issues – While cats are known to use flower boxes as their toilet, its dogs who contribute the most visible and challenging pet waste. Unlike their feline friends, dogs will go just about anywhere, whether it’s a sidewalk, common grassy area, or a rock bed. If the waste isn’t removed it is not only an eye (and nose) sore, but it poses a health risk to curious toddlers and distracted walkers. Try dealing with the issue by:

  • Providing waste bins and bags to encourage owners to pick up after their pets.
  • Sending a community-wide reminder about the importance of picking up pet waste. This is also a good time to highlight fines and consequences for not cleaning up after animals.
  • Talking directly to offending pet owners. Sometimes people won’t change their behavior until they are caught. If you’re lucky, you’ll find most people are cooperative.
  • Enforcing HOA bylaws with fines or whatever is allowed in your community. Reserve this as your last resort for someone who refuses to cooperate.

Garbage/Hoarding Issues – Sometimes you’ll see junk sitting in someone’s yard because they are renovating their home and removing old fixtures. Those people aren’t the problem. They are usually really good about hauling their garbage away. However, if you have someone who has stuff piling up out front and there is no sign of clean up happening, then you should:

  • Have an open and direct conversation with the resident about the mess. Sometimes people get so caught up in their lives they stop realizing how bad a mess has become. If the person is elderly or unable to clean up, offer to help them secure the proper resources. Being neighborly is always the most effective way to get things done.
  • If talking and offering help hasn’t worked and the person is refusing to clean up the mess, you may need to consider HOA fines or even legal action. If that is the case, make sure to talk with your property management company and lawyer to make sure you proceeded properly and within your legal rights. While a pile of junk may seem like “only an eye sore”, remember that vermin and pests see these piles as a great place to call home. Once a rat or other pest problem starts, it can be very difficult and costly to eliminate. Take action quickly if you suspect hoarding issues!

If you have someone who isn’t doing their part to keep the community in great condition, make sure to address it. While confrontation isn’t fun, it is better to deal with these problems head on before they progress past being a nuisance to true health hazards.  At Spectrum we know how difficult it can be on board members to manage conflict with friends and neighbors. That is why we make it our priority to handle all problems professionally and as efficiently as possible. Contact us at Spectrum for any assistance!