Anyone who lives in an HOA knows all about their strict enforcement of rules and regulations. However, these rules do not stop some homeowners from doing unacceptable things. Various homeowners break the rules every day, and some repeat their violations. It is essential to learn how to effectively deal with them to maintain the quality of life in the community.
While it is true that everyone is imperfect and makes mistakes once in a while, repeated violations in an HOA are unacceptable behavior and should contain certain penalties. An HOA needs to develop strategies to deal with these kinds of people. scottsdale hoa management companies can help the board enforce the community rules.
Tips for dealing with HOA homeowners repeating violations
- Warnings.
It is not right to impose hefty fines for a violation without informing the person of their mistake. Sometimes homeowners repeat their mistakes because they were not even aware of their violation in the first place. Allow offenders to explain why they did what they did and listen to their side of the story. The HOA board can then proceed to the next step of the action.
- Gather evidence.
Gathering and documenting evidence is only required when things get out of hand. If you have been getting too many complaints about a specific resident, you need to start investigating the situation on your own and gather proof of their violations. You cannot take action against the resident by telling them that you “heard” something about them. Moreover, evidence will help if this turns into a legal matter.
- Fines.
Levying a fine is one of the most popular and effective penalties of violations. If people know that they will lose money by breaking the rules, they will become more careful about their actions. The fine amount may depend on the severity of the breach.
- Suspend access to amenities.
If a verbal or written letter or a fine is not enough to stop the violations, you may revoke their community privileges by denying them access to amenities such as pools, parks, gyms, or the clubhouse. These bans can be for a specific temporary period or until the violations stop.
- Liens and foreclosures.
If a homeowner has not paid their dues or fines for a long period, the HOA can put a lien on their house and foreclose on the lien to collect the debt. This step is usually taken when things get out of hand and are one of the harshest forms of penalties.
HOA violations and repeated violations are a normal part of any community, but that does not make it okay. The best way to deal with repeat violations is by educating the offenders, imposing fines and other penalties. If your board needs help dealing with violations, consider hiring a management group.
