A homeowners association board has many functions, but one of their most important jobs is to protect the quality of the neighbourhood. They implement rules and regulations to prevent any untoward activities, maintain property values, meet local or national laws, and so on.

What are the most common HOA violations?

Violations happen in all kinds of communities, regardless if they’re within a condo building or a suburban neighbourhood. It’s good to be aware of the bylaws that are often broken by homeowners so you’re better prepared to address them.

• Vehicles and parking e.g.going over the neighbourhood speed limits or owning too many vehicles
• Garbage disposal e.g. leaving broken furniture and other large trash in front of their houses
• Pets e.g. neglecting to pickup after their furry friends or failing to keep untrained pets on leashes
• Holiday decorations e.g. keeping Thanksgiving decorations all the way until Easter and beyond
• Landscaping e.g. having greenery go past property lines or refusing to mow overgrown lawns
• Subletting e.g. renting out their unit without informing the board or property manager first
• Exterior storage e.g. adding a detached building without a permit or in the front yard
• Noise e.g. holding a loud party in their garden past certain hours or repeatedly honking car horns
• Design changes e.g. adding a deck or patio without written approval from the association

How do you reduce HOA violations?

Nobody likes to deal with HOA violations. The residents don’t want to be fined for anything, board members don’t want homeowners violating the bylaws, and association managers don’t want to play the middleman in these situations. Therefore, it’s a big deal if these problems remain unresolved and even increase.

1 – Check that everyone knows the bylaws

Many homeowners aren’t aware that they are breaking the rules already. It might be that they forgot about a certain rule because the last time they read the contract was 3 years ago. Consider giving everyone a refresher in a group chat or group email.

2 – Broadcast reminders to everyone regularly

Using mass communication tools communicate with homeowners about the rules while offering tips on avoiding any fines. For instance, prior to the Christmas holidays, send a message providing suggestions about parking for their guests. Not only does this enforce the regulations but also helps the community.

3 – Detail the penalties related to violations

Some residents don’t care about breaking the rules since they think they can get away by paying a fine. Think about implementing a three-strike system that revokes privileges too. They might lose their exclusive parking spot or be banned from using the community pool, for example.

4 – Be proactive with your communication

If you’ve noticed that many residents are planning to make additions to their homes, send out the guidelines for asking for written approval from the board. Ask them what their plans are for the season or the quarter to have an idea how you may be of assistance while minimising any trouble.

5 – Enforce the regulations with consistency

Educating any new homeowners about the bylaws is important, but is pointless when they aren’t being actively enforced. Don’t allow them to get away with violations because they’ve been in the neighbourhood for a long time or anything of the sort. Be fair when you are giving any sanctions to the people.

6 – Keep the enthusiasm levels up

Simply punishing people isn’t enough to reduce violations in your HOA. It’s a good idea to keep them engaged too, through contests that bring everyone together. An example is by having a poll on who has the most interesting Halloween decorations, or holding a summer barbecue event in the community park.

7 – Be present for any enquiries

Make sure that the residents have a person to contact for any questions about penalties or bylaws. It helps them to have someone who will clarify any policies that they may be confused about. If your HOA has a social media profile, you may use that as their point of contact.

8 – Give notice regarding any changes

One of the biggest mistakes you may make is neglecting to inform the community about any changes to the guidelines. If the fees are being increased, let the people know so they may adjust their budgets accordingly. If certain colours are no longer allowed for exteriors, let them know so they might plan any repainting properly.

How to manage HOA violations better

Sometimes, no matter what you or your board might do to reduce any rule-breaking, there will still be violations. It’s inevitable that you have to send notices and collect fines, but they take up time and resources. Make tracking and resolving sanctions easier with the help of a virtual HOA manager.

We at Remote Workmate are specialists in connecting homeowners associations with online workers to help with managing the community. We endorse only candidates who we believe meet your standards so you may focus on core business activities.