Your HOA's Guide for a Fun and Safe Summer

Summer is a time of fun and exploration. Your residents and their guests will enjoy all that your neighborhood has to offer, but they may also be more prone to breaking rules.   

Your HOA (homeowners association) needs to be ready. Striking a balance between encouraging fun and enforcing the rules can be hard to find, but with property maintenance best practices and consistent communication, you will find harmony.   

Did you know that community activities and events can increase property values in your association? Find out more here! 

So, how do you make a summer plan that is easy to follow and helps enhance your community?  

This post will go over some quick tips that will make preparing for summer a breeze.   

Prepare Your Neighborhood for Summer  

Creating a summer plan for your HOA doesn’t have to be a struggle. Use these tips! 

Prepare for new residents.  

Summer is one of the most popular times for new residents to move in. Make sure new residents have a welcome packet with the rules for your HOA, including rules for your community pool and outdoor activities. This will help make their transition easier and help them feel welcomed.  

This is also a great time to host an event to introduce new and existing residents to one another! Ice cream socials and pool parties are one of the best ways to help foster a sense of community.   

You can use this as an opportunity to provide them with neighborhood maps and make sure that public areas (like gyms, pools, or BBQ areas) are open and ready for the summer.  

Want to throw a pool party this summer? Here is how to do it the right way! 

Check that your streets are in good condition.  

Your streets are one of the most important assets your HOA has.  

How does an HOA maintain its streets and roads for summer? Do the following. 

• Check for potholes, cracks, broken signs, and loose or missing streetlights.  
  
  
• Be on the lookout for graffiti, debris, and signs of erosion.   
  
  
• Clear overgrown vegetation that could obscure vision while walking or driving.   
  
  
• Check if any curbs are missing or damaged—if you live somewhere with a long history of flooding or other natural disasters like hurricanes, it may be wise to invest in curbs that have been proven to last through such events.  

Care for landscaping.  

Although some owners may be able to complete window-washing and watering projects themselves, others more often find themselves overburdened with responsibilities, especially during the summer months.   

Many homeowners’ associations provide property maintenance guidelines for people who want to help keep their properties looking great, but these are often vague and incomplete. Creating a comprehensive guide for lawn care with summer outdoor activities in mind is a great way for your HOA to help residents prepare their property for summer.  

All homeowners should know what is required, what is encouraged, and what is discouraged. Make sure public areas are in line with the seasonal rules and regulations to set a good example. 

Remind residents of seasonal rules and regulations.  

Although warm weather can bring a sense of relaxation, it's important to remind your residents that they will be sharing common spaces and should therefore maintain mutual respect for one another.   

Issue reminders on the following.  

• Noise 

Encourage your HOA members to keep noise levels low when outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Noises from gatherings can travel long distances and affect neighbors who desire quiet.  

• Dress code 

Make sure your residents are aware of the dress code for common areas. Most HOAs have policies about what constitutes acceptable attire for public spaces within the community, including pools and exercise facilities. Encouraging your members to consider this policy when planning summer activities will help ensure everyone will feel comfortable during these events.  

A Smoother Summer for Your Neighborhood  

With all the heat and fun of summer, it’s important to make sure your HOA is prepared to ensure that everyone in the community has an enjoyable experience.   

Taking time to prepare before the season begins can relieve some of the stress of planning activities, dealing with maintenance issues, pool preparation, and handling conflict resolution.   

Property maintenance matters! Here is your summer guide for HOA property maintenance. 

To help your HOA get ready for summer, review last year’s plan to determine what worked and what didn’t. Then adjust accordingly to reflect any changes in the community or new information you have available.   

Once you have updated this plan (or created one from scratch), it will be easier for everyone on your board to know what to expect when it comes to how to best run your community during the summer months.  

If your community is lacking leadership, then you may need the expert community management offered by Management Plus.   

At Management Plus we know that communities must be places that work for all residents. From new homeowners to long-time residents, Management Plus makes your community home for everyone. 

Reach out to Management Plus today to discover how our services can work for your Cincinnati or Dayton community! 

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