How Not To Act When The HOA Board Contacts You

Homeowners associations are in place to protect property values, look out for our welfare, and that of the community we live in.  Most associations send out communication through regular mail, email, or updates on the community website.  Many homeowners have busy lifestyles and become preoccupied with other tasks so it is easy to disregard important communication from the HOA board.  When you receive communication from your homeowners association, there are a few actions you should refrain from to avoid missing important messages.

 

The first step when it comes to electronic communication is to ensure emails from your homeowners association don’t go to the spam folder.  Your HOA may be sending emails instead of regular mail as a way to reduce costs and lower their carbon footprint.  Take the time to read emails because they could be relaying important messages regarding reminders about upcoming maintenance in the community, minutes of HOA meetings, or requesting your presence regarding an issue.

 

Print communication from the homeowners association may come in the form of notices on bulletin boards, fliers, and newsletters.  A copy of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions is also handed to you upon moving in.  Never ignore mail from the HOA board as it may be an urgent notice that requires your immediate attention.  Some notices might contain reminders about HOA fees or a new rule that you need to adhere to.
Ideally, it is best to read mail from the association before disposing of it or you might incur a fine by unknowingly failing to follow a new rule.  Visit the community website as often as possible to see if any updates have been posted that concern you.  As a homeowner, staying informed and adhering to the HOA guidelines is always a good idea!