Using HOA Management Services to Raise Your Community’s Property Values

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One of the biggest draws of buying a home in a Tacoma, WA HOA is the consistently increasing property values. Thanks to benefits like community amenities, well-maintained home exteriors, and general desirability, the effect that living in an HOA has on property values is undeniable. As an HOA board member, you want to ensure that your neighborhood fulfills this promise to its homeowners and remains a sought-after community with boosted property values. To do this, many homeowners associations turn to professional HOA management companies. HOA management firms like The Management Trust can help you with everything from big picture guidance to day-to-day operations to ensure that everything is running smoothly and your Tacoma community is thriving. To help you gain better insight, here are just four of the many ways that HOA management firms boost your community’s property values.

Timely Dues Collections

You may not think so at first, but collecting dues on time has a direct impact on your HOA’s property values. If you have too many delinquent dues, you may not have enough funds in the budget to keep your community running, especially to its highest standard. If your community becomes neglected, you may experience high turnover or homeowner dissatisfaction, creating less desirability, which will lead to lower property values. Professional HOA financial management services such as those provided by The Management Trust include timely dues collections, so you can ensure that your HOA has enough funds to not only survive but thrive.

Fair & Consistent Rules Enforcement

While some homeowners dislike this aspect of HOA homeownership, community rules and regulations are among the biggest factors in raising property values. These rules are created with the community’s value and well-being in mind; they prevent residents from neglecting their home’s exterior, which could bring down property values for neighboring homes. From a home’s grass length to its exterior paint color, enforcing community rules keeps the neighborhood looking its best, which boosts property values in turn. Your HOA management company can take this stressful task off your plate by enforcing your CC&Rs in a consistent, objective and timely manner, ensuring that your neighborhood remains looking its best.

High-Quality Vendors

Your neighborhood is only as good as the vendors who maintain it. If you’re using poor-quality workers for community maintenance or crucial repairs, you can end up with a community association that doesn’t look its best and may even be over budget — both of which can ultimately result in lower property values. By working with a professional HOA management company, you’ll gain access to some of the best vendors in your area. The Management Trust has a Trusted Partners Program that vets local vendors to ensure that you’re receiving nothing less than the best when you need repairs or maintenance for your HOA.

Increased Desirability

All of the reasons stated above — and more — contribute to your neighborhood’s overall desirability. Proving that you’re loyal to your homeowners and dedicated to their well-being at home will help attract new buyers and retain existing homeowners. If your community is seen as a desirable place to live because of its many benefits and overall appearance, the property values across your community will increase. Being a reliable, well-run operation will draw the attention of more and more prospective home buyers, and the more positive attention your community has, the more your community’s worth.

Utilizing a reputable, full-service HOA management firm can help your community fulfill its potential, increasing property values and keeping them stable even during uncertain times. A well-run community association is a highly desirable attraction for many potential home buyers, so taking advantage of the benefits that HOA management companies offer will help make you one of the best neighborhoods in town. It’s one of the reasons why The Management Trust is trusted by more than 1,500 communities nationwide. If your community association could benefit from a professional HOA management company, call The Management Trust at (253) 472-0825 or fill out our online contact form today. We’ve been one of the nation’s leading HOA management firms for more than 30 years, and we’d love to help your Tacoma, WA community thrive as well.

Tips to Plan Your HOA’s Annual Budget

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It’s a New Year, and if you’re an Aurora, CO HOA board member, it’s time to plan your community’s annual budget. Your association’s annual budget projects the year’s estimated costs and ensures that the community association has enough to cover every project and any potential emergencies. The board also uses the budget to help determine annual dues. While it may feel overwhelming, creating your community’s budget is a significant and essential task.  Fortunately, we’ve put together some tips to help you plan your HOA’s annual budget and ensure its success in the coming year.

Build the Right Task Force

Such an essential task requires dedicated and qualified team members. You may want to create a committee solely dedicated to making the annual budget. Consider committee members with key players who will maximize your community’s success: select board members, the board president, the board treasurer and your HOA community management firm. HOA financial management is one of the most important aspects of a thriving community association, so trusting seasoned HOA management firms such as The Management Trust will help ensure that creating a budget is done carefully and accurately.

Examine Last Year’s Expenses

Although your budget will inevitably change from year to year, the change from one year to the next likely won’t be dramatic. As such, looking through the previous year’s budget and expenses will help you better understand what to expect in the coming year. Look at last year’s planned budget, actual expenditures, projects completed, emergencies handled and more. This will help you gain the most accurate picture of what your next year’s expenses are likely to look like. 

Discuss Next Year’s Projects

Every HOA has projects and to-dos that they want to have completed each year. Whether it’s maintaining an amenity, repairing infrastructure or upgrading communal areas, prioritize the new year’s projects and gather an estimated cost for each one. Send requests for proposals or estimates from vendors to ensure your numbers are as accurate as possible. When in doubt, round up and estimate the cost to be more than projected so you’ll have enough money set aside to cover the project when the time comes.

Expect the Unexpected

No matter how much meticulous planning you do, it’s inevitable that there will be an unpredictable emergency or two throughout the year. These emergencies can include dues delinquencies, property damage from natural disasters, or an unexpected legal bind. Whatever the cause, your HOA’s budget should always have a cushion to cover these unanticipated expenses. Your HOA management company can help you determine exactly how much money should be set aside in your reserve fund for these occasions.

If you could use a helping hand with financial planning, budget coordination, or any other aspect of day-to-day community association management, turn to an industry-leading HOA management firm like The Management Trust. With more than 1,500 communities nationwide, we offer the resources of a national corporation with the personal touch and care of a local service. Whether you need HOA financial management or conflict resolution, we can handle it all for your Aurora, CO HOA. To learn more about how The Management Trust can help your community thrive, give us a call at (303) 750-0994 or fill out our online contact form today.

Three HOA Management Tools Provided by The Management Trust to Make HOA Living Easier

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Managing your Tacoma, WA community association may often feel like a full-time job — and that’s because it is! From financial management to resident conflict resolution and everything in between, running an HOA is no easy feat, which is why many boards opt to hire a professional HOA management company like The Management Trust. However, even with an HOA management firm, there are steps you can take to make your life even easier as a board member and allow you more time to get out and enjoy the community you live in. With advancing technology, useful management tools provided by leading HOA management firms like The Management Trust are must-haves for Tacoma HOAs in need of greater transparency and improved communication.

1. Community Website

In this day and age, every company and organization should have a modern, user-friendly website. A community website can be especially beneficial for community associations because it can keep residents updated on all the latest happenings in the neighborhood, creating transparency and acting as the first line of defense against any resident questions. By offering a clear and easy-to-access source for information, your residents can have their questions answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with little to no effort from you or other board members. Your website can include amenity hours and rules, community guidelines, governing documents, architectural guides and permits, event announcements, board meeting minutes, HOA management company contact information, and more. By creating a single source for all of this information, you can free up your board members while still providing residents with the answers to all of their questions.

2. Member Portal

If you want to take it a step further, you can create a member portal on your website that allows residents to log into their accounts and handle administrative tasks such as paying dues and fines, updating contact information, reviewing the status of a work order, and more. This allows tasks to be completed at the residents’ leisure and without requiring the immediate action of a board member or community employee. Streamlining this and making administrative tasks more efficient and convenient for residents will increase satisfaction and give board members more free time to focus on other, more important issues.

3. Board Portal

An online portal exclusively for community board members is also a valuable tool for helping your HOA run more efficiently. This portal can give board members access to important documents such as CC&Rs, financial records, vendor invoices, previous meeting minutes, work orders, architectural applications, and much more. Although some states require that all governing documents be available in paper form, most modern HOAs also make these documents available digitally for easier access. 

If your board feels overwhelmed and wants to make their HOA living easier, professional community management can be a lifesaver. In addition to equipping your community association with all of the digital tools it needs to succeed, we’ll also help run the day-to-day operations of your HOA so your board has more free time to focus on the bigger picture. If your community association could benefit from a professional HOA management company, call The Management Trust at (253) 472-0825 or fill out our online contact form today. We’ve been one of the nation’s leading HOA management firms for more than 30 years, and we’d love to help your Tacoma, WA community thrive as well.

How HOA Management Can Help With Neighbor Conflicts

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Neighbor relations within your Aurora, CO community association can sometimes be not so neighborly. Although a close-knit community often creates a more enjoyable place to live, it can sometimes lead to conflict between neighbors over common issues such as property lines, external maintenance, pets, and excessive noise. With people spending more time at home than ever before, conflicts between neighbors are becoming more common. Sometimes these issues can escalate to being reported to the HOA board. In some cases, your friendly neighborhood HOA community management company can assist you in the mediation process and take steps to help resolve concerns and improve community relations overall.

Assess the Issue

While your residents may come to you asking for mediation, not all conflicts fall within the governance of the community association. If you’re unsure whether to intervene, your HOA management firm can guide you in assessing whether or not the conflict warrants your attention. They can also advise you on which resources to turn to in order to find a solution to the problem. Whether something as simple as reviewing the governing documents or whether you need to get a legal professional involved, your community association management firm will help you find a solution before the issue escalates.

Educate the Homeowners

Once you know how to solve the problem, you’ll need to communicate that plan to the homeowners so they can implement it and resolve the issue between themselves. Your HOA management firm will walk the homeowner(s) through the specifics of the issue, steps they can take to fix it, and how the conflict is negatively affecting their property value and their fellow residents. If disciplinary action needs to be brought against a resident, your community management will enforce the board’s rules and issue any notices or collect any fines that are called for. One of the main roles of a community management firm is to ensure that an HOA board’s rules and regulations are followed so the HOA can continue to thrive and maintain its value.

Improve HOA Communication

Clear communication is one of the pillars of conflict resolution, as well as an effective way to prevent future conflicts. Communicating clearly and regularly with community members through newsletters, community websites, and mailers will help keep all residents on the same page and align the community members’ goals for their neighborhood. Notify residents of what’s going on in the community, where they can go for help, and what resources are available to help them. If a resident is in violation or if they have an ongoing conflict with a fellow resident, clear communication of the violation review process can help avoid unnecessary conflict and make a resolution speedier for all parties.

If you could use a helping hand with resident conflict resolution or any other aspect of day-to-day community association management, turn to an industry-leading HOA management firm like The Management Trust. With more than 1,500 communities nationwide, we offer the resources of a national corporation with the personal touch and care of a local service. Whether you need HOA financial management or conflict resolution, we can handle it all for your Aurora, CO HOA. To learn more about how The Management Trust can help your community thrive, give us a call at (303) 750-0994 or fill out our online contact form today.

Understanding the Five Types of HOA Meetings

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An integral part of the smooth operation of any Tacoma, WA HOA is meetings. Although not as action-packed and exuberant as the town hall meetings depicted in movies, they’re certainly not as bad as your Friday afternoon work meeting either. HOA meetings foster a strong sense of community and help residents become more engaged in their community association. They’re also a functional necessity, as this is when all of the decisions that most significantly impact your HOA are made. If you live in an HOA, and especially if you are an HOA board member, these are the five types of community association meetings that you should be familiar with.

1. Board Meetings

Board meetings are often held either quarterly or monthly and are used to discuss a range of issues on the pre-decided agenda. Agendas are planned out to the minute, and copies are given to community members for review since the topics on the agenda are the only ones allowed to be discussed during these meetings. Although all board members must be present for board meetings, the meetings are open to all members of the HOA if they wish to attend.

2. Committee Meetings

Larger community associations may have committees that handle specific aspects of your HOA’s operation. Examples include landscaping committees, safety committees, newsletter committees, welcome committees, and many more. Meetings can be held weekly, monthly or annually, depending on the committee. At these meetings, committee members discuss prominent topics relevant to their duty, such as the next HOA social event or any crime trends in the area. While these meetings aren’t always open to every member of the HOA, minutes are almost always available upon request.

3. Annual Meetings

The annual HOA meeting is one of the most important in any community association. Usually held at the start of the new fiscal year, annual meetings are led by the board president and announce new developments such as the budget, board members and major projects for the upcoming year. The largest and most important topics affecting the community will be discussed here, and the meeting is open to all members of the community.

4. Executive Sessions

Executive sessions are meetings in which confidential decisions are discussed and made. These meetings are not open to the public and are attended only by board members. These meetings may cover legal issues, delinquent payments, internal committee problems and other serious and private matters. Due to the sensitive nature of the topics, minutes are generally not made available.

5. Special Meetings

Special meetings happen in a rare emergency event that requires immediate action with short notice. These causes can include natural disasters, property damage, or special assessments. Board members, community members, and anyone else specified in the community’s bylaws can call a special meeting if they feel it’s warranted — although typically, more than five percent of residents will need to sign off before a special meeting can be called.

HOA board meetings can sometimes be a full-time job in and of themselves; handling the many other aspects of successful community management can be overwhelming and even impossible if your board is small, inexperienced, or otherwise just busy. Professional HOA community management is beloved by community association board members across the country because it lightens the load on Tacoma, WA board members and allows you to focus more of your time and energy on your community’s overall well-being — including the obligatory meetings. If your community association could benefit from a professional HOA management company, call The Management Trust at (253) 472-0825 or fill out our online contact form today. We’ve been one of the nation’s leading HOA management firms for 30 years, and we’d love to help your Tacoma, WA community thrive as well.

3 Key HOA Financial Management Tips to Save Money

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Proper HOA financial management is essential for Aurora, CO communities because it keeps your community running smoothly and improves resident satisfaction. Not only does it enable you to run your community association more successfully, but it also helps you avoid raising annual dues — a move that all of your neighbors will appreciate. If you’re looking for ways to reduce costs and keep your expenses under budget, here are a few easy yet crucial financial management tips that can save your HOA money.

1. Adjust Energy & Water Usage

Review your community’s electricity and water bills, and see if there are any ways for you to save. Depending on where your community association is located, you may be able to shop around for providers and negotiate discounts this way. If you’re happy with your provider or only have one option, reducing your energy and water usage can help you save hundreds each month. Switch to drought-tolerant landscaping or water your landscaping at night to conserve water and reduce costs. Turn on indoor common area lights only when necessary, or utilize motion sensors, so lights are only turned on when someone is actively using a specific amenity. Adjust outdoor lighting according to daily sunset times to reduce unnecessary electricity usage, or consider switching to solar power. Implementing some of these simple steps will save your HOA considerable money each month by lowering utility bills.

2. Perform Routine Maintenance Checks

Another way you may be spending unnecessarily is through inefficient, outdated, or just plain broken fixtures. Have your preferred vendor routinely check pipes, plumbing fixtures, windows, and HVAC units to identify any issues causing higher-than-normal utility bills. Fixing any small leaks can add up to substantial water savings, and upgrading to energy-efficient double-pane windows can conserve heat and reduce electricity and gas bills. You should also double-check your meters and ensure that there are no discrepancies between the amount of energy you’re using and the amount you’re being charged each month. 

3. Hire an HOA Management Company

If you feel that your community association’s financial dealings are more complex than your board members can handle, consider hiring an HOA community management company. Most HOA management firms also offer HOA financial management services, so you can focus on the bigger picture and leave the finer details to trained professionals. At The Management Trust, we offer independent financial management services and full-service HOA management. Whether you need annual budget preparation, vendor billings management, fund management, collection services, or all of the above, you can rest assured that your HOA is in good hands with The Management Trust’s expert team.

If your Aurora, CO community association could benefit from professional financial management for 2022, consider the industry-leading experts at The Management Trust. Our community association financial management services are not only included as part of our full-service HOA management program, but they’re also offered independently to community associations requiring only financial management. All of our financial operations are SSAE 116 compliant and are highlighted by our TrustLink proprietary software. To learn more about how The Management Trust can help your HOA thrive, give us a call at (303) 750-0994 or fill out our online contact form today.

4 Key Financial Tips HOA Managers Need to Know

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In many ways, Tacoma, Washington, HOA board members must be jacks of all trades. From implementing policy changes to navigating homeowner disputes and managing finances, there are many tasks that an HOA board must undertake as part of their obligatory duties. Understandably, your board members may not have the professional expertise in HOA financial management that an accountant or other expert might; with so many other responsibilities to manage, it can be hard to know where to start. If you need HOA financial management guidance, try these four simple yet critical financial tips that all HOA boards should know.

1. Evaluate Insurance Policies

During your annual budget review, take time to review your existing insurance policies and refine them to cut costs, if possible. While you should always make sure that you have ample insurance coverage, you may eliminate specific policies that are unnecessary. For example, your HOA may not need coverage for damages resulting from natural disasters such as earthquakes or snowfall, depending on your region. You should also compare your insurance statements to previous years to see if rates have increased. Shopping around to different insurance companies may help you find a comparable policy at a lower rate. Just make sure that you have enough coverage for all of your community association’s needs!

2. Double-Check Financial Reports

Mistakes happen, but financial mistakes can be highly inconvenient and even costly. Make sure that your financial reports are precise and detailed. Don’t make categories that are too vague or commingle funds. Have several people check the reports to ensure no mistakes and compare reports from the year before to avoid apparent discrepancies. Make sure that you are creating clear and separate funds for operations, deferred maintenance, and reserves. Detail and accuracy will make life much easier for your HOA in the long run.

3. Create an Investment Plan

If you want to mitigate any potential future financial problems, consider creating an investment plan for a portion of your reserve fund. Allowing your funds to earn returns is an excellent way to protect your community in the future and make each dollar go the extra mile. However, make sure that you follow any investing guidelines set out in your community’s bylaws. There may be restrictions on how much you invest and in what you can invest. Regardless of bylaws, make sure that your investments are low-risk and can be converted into cash quickly if needed.

4. Leave it to a Professional HOA Management Company

If you want to ensure that your community’s finances are in the best hands possible, invest in professional HOA financial management. Many community association management companies such as The Management Trust offer community management services, including HOA financial management. Our financial services include record keeping, fund management, collection services, monthly statement prep, budget preparation, audit coordination, escrow services, and more. When you leave your HOA financial management to trained experts, you can rest assured that your community’s budget is in good hands while your board has more time to focus on the bigger picture.

Especially in the wake of the pandemic, many community associations are taking a closer look at their financial records and planning for the worst-case scenario. However, it can be difficult for everyday board members to tackle these nuanced financial matters. If you want only the best HOA financial management for your Tacoma, Washington, community association, trust the experts at The Management Trust. To find out more information about our full range of community management services, including HOA financial management, call The Management Trust at (253) 472-0825 or fill out our online contact form today.

4 Tips for Establishing a Well-Functioning HOA Board

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Many Aurora, Colorado, homeowners find it incredibly rewarding to serve as a member of their community association management board because it fosters just that: community. With so many unique perspectives and voices in the mix, your Aurora homeowners association board can come to a collaborative compromise that best serves your residents’ interests. However, sometimes having multiple personalities in a position with such responsibility can result in differences of opinion. When that happens, consider these tips to encourage harmony and smooth collaboration in your HOA board meetings.

1. Follow Your Governing Documents

Whenever any decision is made, it’s essential to consult your HOA’s governing documents to ensure that members follow the proper protocols and guidelines. This is often the case when new and enthusiastic board members who want to immediately make changes to the community join the HOA board. While new ideas and enthusiasm for the job are fantastic, all suggestions must fall within the pre-established rules and guidelines outlined in your community’s documents. The governing documents are also a good resource for impartial, factual information that can help make more objective decisions when emotions are charged. If there’s a disagreement between members, consult the bylaws for clarity on the best course of action. If you’re still stuck, ask your HOA management firm for guidance.

2. Make Sure Everyone is Heard

In an environment with multiple viewpoints and spirited debate, it is crucial to practice patience, careful listening, and understanding. No one likes to be talked over, passed over, or blown off, so treat your HOA board members with the same consideration that you’d like them to show you. Remember that each board member wants what’s best for the community; although everyone may have different communication styles, the end goal is the same. Take time to listen to everyone and make sure that every member feels heard. If there is a conflict or misunderstanding, take time to ask more questions to better understand another member’s viewpoint. Going the extra mile to listen to everyone will encourage better collaboration and foster better relationships between board members.

3. Always Be Transparent and Professional

Although your board members are your neighbors and maybe even your personal friends, remember that this is a professional environment that requires transparency and respect. Avoid conservations about board meeting matters outside of the meetings, and keep all discussions on-topic and professional. Voice your opinions in a respectful manner, and never let your personal feelings about a board member sway your decision-making regarding community matters.

4. Turn to Your HOA Management Company for Advice

If conflicts can’t be quickly resolved within your HOA board, ask your community association management company for assistance. As professional people managers, they can offer advice about handling community decisions with conflicting personalities present and even mediate specific issues. Your HOA management firm can ensure that any ongoing communication between members is clear and respectful to help mitigate current problems and prevent future ones from occurring. 

Serving on your community’s HOA board can be incredibly rewarding, but it also has its unique challenges. Just as in any other aspect of life, you must put aside personal feelings and conflicts for the betterment of your Aurora, CO, community as a whole. If your board is having communication issues and could benefit from the assistance of a professional community association management firm, reach out to The Management Trust today. We’re available at (303) 750-0994, or you can fill out our online contact form, and one of our employee-owners will get back to you shortly.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your HOA’s Budget

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Budgeting is an integral part of every Tacoma, Washington, community association’s operation. Planning the annual budget by calculating expenses is how every HOA decides upon homeowner dues. Inaccurate budgeting at the start of the year could lead to financial struggles for the HOA by the end of the year or in the following years, and further result in the dissatisfaction of residents. To avoid financial disaster, make sure to avoid these five key mistakes when planning your HOA’s budget for the upcoming year.

1. Not Reviewing Past Years’ Budgets

The best way to get an accurate estimate of the upcoming year’s expenses is by viewing the expenses of previous years. Reviewing past years’ financial reports will help you identify trends and anticipate costs for the new year. It will also help you identify mistakes and correct them for the future. Just don’t forget to account for inflation and any changes in vendors that may increase costs.

2. Creating Vague Categories

The more comprehensive and detailed your expense report is, the more accurate it will be in predicting future costs. Avoid lumping categories like landscaping, plumbing, and electrical services together into “maintenance”. Create specific categories for each product and service paid for so you can better track your expenses year-over-year and create more accurate budgets in the years to come. If creating such a detailed report feels too intimidating or time-consuming, reach out to an HOA management firm like The Management Trust about their HOA financial management services.

3. Not Negotiating with Vendors

When it comes time to plan your HOA’s new annual budget, take the time to re-evaluate your vendor contracts as well. Track vendor costs year-over-year, and ask your current vendors if there are any changes to their rates in the year to come. Inquire about any discounts, especially if you have an established reputation and loyalty to the company. If you’re unsatisfied with your vendors or their new rates, look around for new vendors who may offer the same quality for better prices.

4. Failing to Add a Buffer

If there’s one thing that’s inevitable, it’s unexpected expenses. Surprise costs can — and will — pop up at any time, so your budget needs to have some breathing room to cover these costs. Although it can be tempting to try and keep your budget as tight as possible so homeowner dues will be lower — making your residents happy — it’s better to set higher, consistent dues than to land in hot water financially or have to unexpectedly raise dues later in the year. It’s better to end up with a surplus of money at the end of the year than a deficit. Any excess funds can be placed in the HOA reserve fund for emergency costs in future years.

5. Settling for Cheap Insurance Policies

Cutting corners to save money is never a good idea, and in no area is this more true than HOA insurance. If you face costly expenses due to legal ramifications, natural disasters, or any other range of issues, insurance can help soften the blow and significantly reduce the amount of financial stress placed on your community association. Choosing the cheapest insurance policies that don’t offer adequate coverage may save you money in the short term, but that savings will likely be blown out of the water by the first issue you encounter that you must pay out of pocket for. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and invest in a good insurance policy that offers adequate coverage for your Tacoma, WA, HOA.

Financial planning and budgeting are some of the most important aspects of an HOA’s successful operation. It’s the number one area where you need to dedicate diligence and ensure accuracy, or you risk placing unnecessary financial stress on your community association and its residents. Luckily, most community association management firms such as The Management Trust offer comprehensive HOA financial management services including record keeping services and budget preparation. If you’d like more information about The Management Trust’s full range of community management services, including HOA financial management, give us a call at (253) 472-0825 or fill out our online contact form today. 

Establishing Dog Rules in Your HOA

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Pets are as much a part of the family as their humans. Pet-friendly HOAs in Aurora, Colorado, can come up against unique challenges caused by dogs, such as off-leash trouble, pet waste, and excessive noise. However, establishing clear regulations for pets within your homeowner’s association will help conquer your pet challenges. Teaming up with an effective HOA community management firm like The Management Trust to establish clear rules will help you enforce all of your neighborhood regulations.

Have Homeowners Register All Pets

To fairly and effectively enforce the rules against all pet owners, you’ll first need to know about all pets in the community. Rule number one should require all homeowners to register their pets with the association so they can be kept track of and homeowners can be held accountable. Create a pet registration form that must be filled out by all new and current homeowners. This will not only allow the HOA to monitor all pets in the community but also keep track of overdue vaccinations. 

Establish Barking Rules

One of the biggest issues that dogs can cause within an HOA is noise complaints. It’s normal for dogs to bark and make noise, but this shouldn’t occur excessively — especially during late or early hours when residents are sleeping. Encourage homeowners to report any persistent barking problems to the board. Simply having a conversation with the pet owner and encouraging them to bring dogs in at night could be the solution; if not, stricter consequences could be enforced after multiple instances if they’re clearly outlined within the rules of your HOA.

Establish Leash Rules

It’s recommended that all pet-friendly HOAs establish clear leash laws within their community. Unleashed dogs could bother other residents or instigate conflicts with other dogs or cats in the neighborhood. It can also be dangerous for the pet itself if they run out into the street. Require that all dogs be kept on a leash when walking around the neighborhood. If you want to go the extra mile to accommodate pet owners, create a dog park or designated, enclosed off-leash area for pets to run freely. This amenity will help attract new homeowners and keep current homeowners satisfied without creating undue risk.

Require Waste Cleanup

Animal waste is one of the most common problems in pet-friendly community associations. Although picking up your pet’s waste is typically common courtesy, many people still refuse to do so. Create a rule requiring all pet owners to pick up any waste deposits by their pets in the neighborhood’s common areas. Provide bags and trash cans throughout the neighborhood to encourage responsible pet ownership and waste management, and consider levying fines on homeowners who refuse to comply with the cleanup rules.

Create a Liability Policy

Despite your best efforts and clearly outlined rules, there can still be unfortunate events resulting from pet ownership within the HOA. To avoid liability, create a waiver to be signed by homeowners, which releases the HOA from legal liability in the case of injury, damage, or disturbance caused by pets. Transferring full liability onto the homeowner will protect your HOA and make the pet owners act more responsibly in their self-interest.

Being a pet-friendly HOA has its challenges, but it’s well worth it to make your residents’ lives happier and more fulfilled. By implementing clear pet rules and enforcing them fairly, you can have a happy and successful Aurora, Colorado, homeowner’s association. For assistance enforcing rules and collecting fines, consider a community management company like The Management Trust. We can help you navigate your legal options when creating new rules and enforce them fairly and promptly, saving your HOA board more time to focus on the bigger picture. If you’d like to find out more about The Management Trust’s full range of community association management services, give us a call at (303) 750-0994 or fill out our online contact form today.