There are three common problems that most Homeowners Associations (HOAs) face, and today we are identifying what those problems are and talking about how partnering with a professional association management company can help.

Peninsula property management companies can assist with common area maintenance, rule enforcement, communication, and complaints. We know the state laws that impact associations, and we can stay on top of any potential challenges that HOAs need to plan for.

1. Lack of Experience with HOA Maintenance

All HOA board members are volunteers, and many of those volunteer board members lack the expertise or the time that’s required to effectively manage the association. This is especially true when it comes to maintenance, and hiring a management company with extensive experience can help alleviate this concern.

Common areas are those communal areas that are not maintained by individual property owners. Inadequate maintenance can lead to pests, mold, problems with sidewalks, and tree hazards. The board needs to address these things effectively and in a timely fashion.

Management companies can help by making sure the best contractors and vendors are hired for the problem at hand. We’ll look for qualified professionals who are licensed and insured. Because of the long-time relationships we have with vendors, we’ll usually be able to negotiate a lower price than the association would pay when hiring vendors on their own.

2. Problems with Bay Area HOA Communication

Many communities suffer from inadequate, poor, or a total lack of communication. Often, this is because board members have full time jobs, family responsibilities, and other pursuits outside of their work with the association. There’s not always a lot of time to spend on association business.

Management companies employ an entire team of people, which helps to facilitate better communication. We use email, web portals, and regular mail when notices need to be sent.

It’s important that information is shared with homeowners in accordance with your governing documents as well as the local laws and required timelines. Your HOA board needs to have meeting agendas out in a specific amount of time. There are laws and regulations that govern communication, so you want to make sure there is accessibility and responsiveness.

3. Handling Homeowner Complaints

Finally, HOA boards need to have a process in place for handling complaints.

When a community member brings a complaint to the association, a lot of boards will shrug it off. They’ll feel like it’s not their problem, especially if it’s a dispute between neighbors.

However, it’s very important for the board to listen to these complaints. It doesn’t matter if it seems small or trivial. It’s a big deal to the homeowner. Resident complaints need to be heard because it’s good customer service.

Spend the time that it takes to listen, and try to work towards solutions.

Hiring an established Bay Area association management company to help address these three major issues – as well as any smaller ones – can really help your association succeed. It will keep you in compliance and ensure an enriching environment for all community members.

If you have any questions about the management of your property or your association, please contact us at Bayside Management. Founded in 1982 in Marin County, we have expanded to offer full-service property management in San Mateo and the entire San Francisco Peninsula. We manage single-family properties, multi-unit complexes, commercial properties, and homeowner associations.