Safety is a growing concern in the United States. For this reason, many communities are doubling down on security by hiring HOA security guards. However, this choice is not always suitable for every neighborhood. When should a community hire private security?

What are HOA Security Guards?

The role of HOA private security is precisely as it sounds. Security guards exist to guard the community from potential criminals. They watch over the neighborhood and are on the lookout for criminal activity. Typically, their very presence can reduce the number of incidents within the HOA.

In a gated community, security guards are often stationed at the guardhouses of each entrance. They also sometimes patrol the community, depending on the community’s needs. Moreover, they can respond quickly to incidents such as theft and vandalism. They are often also trained to de-escalate conflict and contact emergency services.

HOA Security Guards Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of a security guard will depend on your contract agreement. Here are some of the most common inclusions you can expect:

• Access Control. Security guards may guard entry points to ensure only those authorized can enter the community.
• Visitor Verification. Security guards may manage and verify the identities of visitors to ensure safety.
• Entry Log. Security guards may maintain a detailed entry log to record everyone who has entered or exited the community.
• Regular Patrol. Security guards may patrol the community on foot or using vehicles to monitor the area for suspicious activity, safety hazards, or security risks.
• Emergency Response. Security guards may be available to respond to potential threats and emergencies.

Who Pays for HOA Security Guards?

HOA security falls under the association’s regular services. Hence, homeowners associations will often include their services in HOA fees. While the HOA technically pays the security guards or companies, the money is taken from member assessments.

The board must include the cost of security services within the HOA budget. This will help them divide the cost among all the residents and reduce the individual burden. However, it’s best to clarify why the community needs security guards in the first place. Raising awareness will help the homeowners understand what they are paying for and reduce conflict.

Why Hire HOA Security Guards?

HOA security guards have several benefits. Here are the top reasons why your community may need them.

1. Crime Deterrent

Over 3,000 burglaries happen every day in the United States. A large majority of those have happened when no one was home. Moreover, properties without security are 300% more likely to be burglarized.

HOA security guards can reduce crime risk significantly. This is because their very presence often scares off potential criminals. Moreover, they can prevent crimes like burglary, auto theft, vandalism, and illicit drug use.

2. Access Control

Access control benefits condominiums and gated communities greatly. However, even non-gated neighborhoods can benefit from this type of security when they hire private guards. Guards can control access to community facilities and amenities and prevent trespassing and unauthorized use.

3. Parking Rule Enforcement

Apart from security, guards can help the community enforce parking rules. They can stop unauthorized cars from entering the community and regulate who can park where and during which hours.

4. Respond to Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a common occurrence. Security guards can respond to these instances and defuse the situation. They can also call law enforcement and help ensure the victim’s safety until the police arrive. Moreover, they can serve as witnesses and aid in the police’s investigation when they ask for evidence.

5. Stop Unsafe or Unapproved Activity

Homeowners may sometimes get into fights, throw unruly parties, or behave in a way that threatens the safety of community residents. Security guards can stop these activities and prevent them from escalating. They can also report illegal activities to the police.

6. Vandalism Prevention

Vandals often target residential neighborhoods. They might trespass into residents’ homes, break objects, or spray paint buildings. Sometimes, even the homeowners themselves can be vandals.

Security guards can prevent vandalism by patrolling the neighborhood. They can watch out for suspicious individuals and to avoid property damage.

The Alternative: HOA Security Cameras

While an HOA security patrol is undoubtedly useful, it can also be costly. This is especially true for large communities with multiple entry points. However, just because a community cannot afford security guards does not mean they should give up on enhancing safety and security.

As an alternative, HOAs with a smaller budget can choose to install security cameras. These cameras are often easy to install and configure, allowing the board to continuously monitor the neighborhood and even store relevant footage.

Like security guards, HOA security cameras can deter crime. Criminals are afraid of being caught even after the fact. They are less likely to act out when they see a security camera around. Otherwise, they risk being caught by the police and facing jail time.

On the other hand, security cameras also have their flaws. For one thing, they can be disabled or covered. Criminals may also study their blind spots and stay out of their line of sight while engaging in illegal activity.

Of course, this does not mean hiring security guards is the best choice for all communities. Apart from the budget, communities must consider their size, needs, and nature. Security guards also have downsides such as cost, capacity, and potential for human error.

Ideally, homeowners associations will employ security guards and cameras to ensure safety. However, it will ultimately be a balancing act. The board must consider the community’s needs, budget, and what the residents are comfortable with.

A Good Investment for Safety and Security

HOA security guards can be a good investment, especially if the community is in an area with a high crime rate. Security guards can make homeowners feel safe and prevent criminal activity. However, HOAs must consider the cost of their services and weigh it against the potential benefits.

Condo Manager is a reliable HOA management software for self-managed communities and HOA management companies. Call us at (800) 626-1267 or contact us online to request a demo!

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• Drainage Problems In HOA: What To Do?

Whether it’s due to rain, snow, or simply improper sewage systems, drainage problems in HOA communities are not unheard of. In fact, they can be fairly common in low-lying or poorly constructed neighborhoods. What do you do when it happens? Let’s find out.

The Impact of Drainage Problems in HOA Communities

Drainage problems in HOA communities can have a significant impact on community living and property. The following are the most common consequences of improper drainage:

• Poor Aesthetics. Improper drainage can lead to unsightly standing water in the community’s yards and common areas. They can be unappealing to onlookers which can reduce the HOA’s property values.
• Pest Infestations. Standing water is a breeding ground for pests like mosquitoes. As a result, homeowners may suffer from infestations and pest-related illnesses.
• Water Quality Problems. Poorly managed stormwater runoff can carry pollutants like trash, oil, and sediment that can lead to poor water quality in local resources.
• Erosion. Improper drainage can cause soil erosion which is bad for the environment. Moreover, it can compromise the structural integrity of nearby infrastructure such as homes, roads, and sidewalks.
• Flooding. Insufficient or poor drainage can cause flooding, leading to property damage for the HOA and its residents. It can also be inconvenient as flooding prevents people from freely entering and leaving certain areas.

Common Causes of Drainage Problems and How to Fix Them

There are several causes of drainage issues in homeowners association communities. Here are the most common causes to watch out for.

1. Blocked or Clogged Basins

Poor drainage in HOA communities can result from something as simple as clogged drains. Remember to check the catch basins and storm drains in the HOA’s private roads. Make sure they’re unobstructed to keep the stormwater away.

Clean up all the vegetation, debris, and trash around the area. If the community is large, consider adding public trash cans so community members can dispose of their garbage properly.

If your community has problems with clogged drains, it’s likely a result of poor maintenance. The community should allot enough money to clean the streets and remove debris from drainage systems. It’s a relatively simple solution, but it works wonders for fixing drainage problems in HOA communities.

2. Improper Slopes

Proper slopes in driveways and roads can cause chronic flooding in HOA communities. This is a design problem related to the developer’s original construction. For example, if the streets were paved higher than the ends of driveways, the developer didn’t consider stormwater drainage. It could also be a landscaping issue if landscapers don’t consider the drainage system.

You’ll know there’s an improper slope in the community if water pools only in certain parts of common areas or homeowner yards. In some cases, homeowners associations can fix this by repaving the streets. However, severe cases may require the help of an HOA contractor, such as a design engineer. The engineer will assess the issue and recommend ways to enhance the drainage system to accommodate the design flaws.

3. Improper Landscape Grading

A stormwater drainage problem in HOA communities can be caused by improper grading. Grassy areas and other landscaping must be graded properly to facilitate the drainage of stormwater. Otherwise, it can lead to flooding and other issues. After it rains, consider observing any low-lying landscapes to see whether there is ponding or areas of standing water. This indicates a drainage problem that could be caused by improper grading.

Fortunately, HOA drainage problems like these are easy to remedy. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as reworking the areas to add a stormwater management solution. For example, the HOA could add a grassed swale or mulch to the landscaped bed areas to drain the stormwater.

Adding a grassed swale creates a channel where the water can collect and drain out. Often, these contain vegetation made to guard against soil erosion. Meanwhile, mulching is great for compacted soil. It boosts the soil’s ability to absorb water and prevent it from collecting on the surface.

4. Lack of Stormwater System Maintenance

Some HOAs may have a stormwater management system that hasn’t worked well. This is often due to the lack of maintenance and regular inspections.

HOA board members should stay on top of routine inspections to quickly identify problems before they start. Doing so also prevents sidewalks, roads, driveways, and landscaping damage that could lead to more maintenance work.

Stormwater system maintenance is especially important before the rainy season. Otherwise, the community may have problems with ponding and even flooding. This could lead to devastating damage to the community’s common areas. It could also damage individual homes, leading to homeowner frustration and dissatisfaction.

How do you mitigate this? Firstly, the HOA board should install an effective stormwater management solution if the community doesn’t already have one. If they do, the board should take charge of the following maintenance responsibilities to keep their stormwater management system in check:

• Common area and easement inspections
• Debris removal and cleaning in catch basins and drains
• Creating slopes in open lawns for proper drainage
• Restoring eroded or compacted soil
• Repair of damaged or cracked concrete

Referring to the community’s original site plan and the CC&R’s maintenance guidelines might be helpful. Past drainage reports can also help the association pinpoint potential problem areas within the community. If the board can no longer access these documents, they can hire a drainage engineer to fix the community’s stormwater drainage system.

Additional Stormwater Management Tips

What stormwater management solutions can HOAs use to prevent drainage problems? Here are some long-term projects communities can undertake to manage stormwater runoff better.

• Green Roofs. HOAs can cover roofs with vegetation to reduce the flow of rainwater and delay the rate at which it flows down.
• Permeable Pavements. HOAs can use permeable materials for surfaces like walkways and roads to allow stormwater to seep into the soil. Instead of using concrete or asphalt, consider using porous asphalt, grid pavers, and pervious concrete.
• Rain Gardens. HOAs can install rain gardens that facilitate runoff to ponds in specific areas, allowing the water to filter through the plants and soil.
• Vegetated or Dry Swales. HOAs can use vegetated drainage paths to transport stormwater, slow runoff, facilitate infiltration, and filter pollutants.
• Constructed Wetlands. HOAs can create constructed wetlands to collect and filter stormwater.

Stay on Top of Stormwater Management

Many things can cause drainage problems in HOA communities. HOA boards need to stay alert and prevent any issues from arising. Otherwise, the community’s residents might think the board is not properly maintaining the community’s common areas. This could lead to conflict and even legal or financial liability when the damage is extensive enough.

Condo Manager is a convenient HOA management software that can assist HOA management companies and self-managed associations. Call us today at (800) 626-1267 or contact us online to book a free demo!

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• Neighbors Tree Disputes: Who’s Right Or Wrong?

What should homeowners do if a neighbors tree is overhanging, encroaching, or has caused property damage? Let’s explore how neighborhood trees can cause conflict and what to do about them.

Neighbors Tree Disputes in HOAs

Many homeowners plant trees on their property to beautify their yard’s landscaping. Some even plant trees for privacy from neighbors. However, as people do, trees do not follow the governing documents or encroachment laws. They grow tall and wide and do not obey property lines. This is why conflict regarding trees is one of the most common sources of disputes in HOA communities.

Property Encroachment

Often, HOA neighbor’s tree disputes involve property encroachment. It’s not uncommon to find overhanging tree branches in the HOA community. This can be a nuisance for neighbors whose view from the front yard might be blocked. Tree overhangs can also pose a security risk, as trespassers can use the overhangs to climb over fences. Overhanging branches can also cause a mess as tree leaves and fruits may fall onto the neighbor’s property.

Encroachment issues may also involve tree roots or the way the tree grows. Let’s say the tree’s trunk or roots grow into the neighbor’s yard or property. Who owns the tree? Moreover, who has the right to eat its fruits and is responsible for tree trimming and maintenance? These can be tricky to navigate as it may vary between states and communities.

Property Damage

A neighbors tree can also cause damage and it can be hard to know who to hold responsible. There are many instances wherein these accidents are deemed as “Acts of God.”

In these cases, the property owner is responsible for repairs and maintenance, even if the tree isn’t theirs. The same applies to homeowners associations. If the HOA’s sidewalks or common elements are damaged by homeowner trees, the HOA is often responsible if it is an act of God.

However, there are times when the tree owner is responsible for property damage. This often happens when the tree owners can’t properly care for the tree to prevent it from causing harm. It also applies when the tree owner knows that their tree poses a threat yet does nothing to remove or prune the tree.

The First Question to Ask: Who Owns the Tree?

Before identifying who is liable for various tree-related issues, it’s important to establish who owns the tree. This can shed much light on who may be held responsible for damages, encroachment, or upkeep. It also determines who can prune or cut the tree down.

As such, reviewing the community’s plat or map to determine property lines is essential. If a tree resides on the HOA property, the tree will likely belong to the HOA. Meanwhile, if a tree resides on a resident’s property, the resident is responsible for the tree. This usually applies regardless of who planted the tree in the first place.

Apart from this, the state’s tree law often determines ownership. For instance, California determines ownership based on where the tree trunk stands. If the tree trunk stands wholly on a neighbor’s property, then the neighbor owns the tree.

However, if the tree trunk stands partly on the land of two or more properties, it’s usually deemed a boundary tree. In many cases, all the property owners jointly own the tree. Hence, they are all responsible for caring for the tree. Moreover, if the tree is healthy, no one property owner can remove the tree without the permission of the other owners.

It’s also important to note that, depending on state law, tree roots typically do not determine ownership. Even if the tree’s roots grow well into a resident’s yard, that resident still does not own the tree. Ownership determines where the tree trunk stands, not where the roots grow.

Finally, it’s also crucial to review the governing documents. Special provisions may outline who is responsible for tree maintenance, trimming, and property damage. The HOA may also have a tree policy that the board and the other residents must follow.

How to Deal With Neighbors Tree Disputes

What can homeowners and HOAs do when it comes to tree disputes? Let’s address the most common questions and concerns homeowners have.

Can I Trim a Neighbor’s Trees Overhanging My Property?

In many states, homeowners can trim limbs and branches that exceed property lines. However, homeowners have to trim only up to the boundary. They cannot go onto their neighbor’s property to trim the tree.

Moreover, it’s never a good idea to destroy the neighbor’s tree. This is because harming the tree will likely lead to liability and monetary penalties.

Can I Eat the Fruit From the Neighbor’s Tree if It Overhangs My Yard?

It depends on the state. Fruits belong to the tree owner, so it’s best not to pick fruits if the tree does not belong to you. However, state laws and courts are divided on whether or not homeowners can eat their neighbor’s fallen fruit. It’s best to check local laws and ordinances before eating the fruit. Otherwise, you may incur penalties.

Who Is Responsible if the Neighbor’s Tree Damaged My Property?

“A neighbor’s tree damaged my fence, what do I do? What are my options if the neighbor’s tree damaged my house?” In these cases, it depends on what caused the damage. The court will likely turn to the reasonable care standard if the tree fell due to a storm or natural disaster.

This means that if the neighbor took reasonable care of the tree and maintained it properly, the neighbor is likely not responsible for the damage. It may be deemed an “act of God.” In this case, the property owner is responsible for repairing the fence or the home. However, if the neighbor did not properly maintain the tree or knew its branches were a threat, they may be liable for the damages.

Apart from natural disasters, growing tree branches and roots can also cause damage. In most cases, the homeowner cannot sue the neighbor for the roots or branches. Hence, trimming the tree’s branches and roots is the safest option to avoid potential damage.

On the other hand, some states do allow homeowners to sue if certain conditions are met. For example, some states allow lawsuits if the invading branches or roots cause serious harm to the homeowner’s property. They may also be able to sue if the encroaching tree is planted and not “wild.” Regardless, it’s best to check state law to verify what you can do if the neighbor’s tree branches or roots cause property damage.

What Can I Do if the Neighbor’s Tree Looks Like It Will Fall on My House?

Homeowners are responsible for making reasonable inspections and taking care of trees to ensure safety. If the neighbor does not remove or cut the tree and it causes damage, the neighbor may be liable for it. Make sure to speak to the neighbor about the potential threat. If you do, the law may be able to protect you.

Apart from this, you can call your municipality, as most city ordinances forbid homeowners from maintaining dangerous conditions, including dangerous trees, on their property. The municipality may remove the tree or order the neighbor to remove the tree.

Dangerous trees may also pose a threat to utility companies. If the tree threatens the utility company’s equipment or is a fire hazard, the utility company may help you remove the tree.

Finally, you can file a nuisance claim as the tree may interfere with the use and enjoyment of your property. If the court thinks the tree is a nuisance, they may order the neighbor to remove or prune it. You must file a lawsuit in regular court, but be ready to present evidence that the tree is hazardous.

Can I Be Compensated if a Neighbor Killed My Tree?

Yes. Those who hurt, remove, or cut down trees without the owner’s permission are often liable to the owner. The tree owner may ask for compensation or file a lawsuit to enforce that right.

Do I Have a Good Nuisance Claim if the Neighbor’s Tree Leaves Blow Into My Yard?

No. Leaves are often considered natural products. Hence, the homeowner cannot file a legal claim against their neighbor even if they damage the property by clogging pipes or gutters.

Do I Have to Trim My Tree if the Neighbors Complain About Its Height?

It’s best to talk to your neighbors to understand how much trimming would be enough. If they’re not asking for too much, and trimming doesn’t affect the tree’s health or aesthetics, it’s best to consider trimming it.

This can help you avoid conflict with your neighbor and maintain a peaceful community. They may even agree to cover or split the cost of tree trimming. However, hire a professional neighborhood tree service to do the job. A neighbor tree service can ensure the tree is trimmed without affecting its health or visual appeal.

On the other hand, if you do not want to trim the tree, it’s important to review local tree ordinances. Let’s say the tree is hazardous to your neighbor as its branches dangerously overhang their property. You may violate a local ordinance by not trimming the tree in this case.

Apart from this, some laws may impose height limits, view ordinances, or property line limits. Make sure your refusal does not violate any local laws. Otherwise, you may find yourself in court over the tree dispute. It’s also important to check the HOA’s governing documents. The community might have restrictions regarding tree heights or rules about tree trimming that you need to follow.

Navigating Tree Disputes

Trees are often a point of tension within private communities. That’s why communities need to know how to deal with disputes involving a neighbors tree. They must understand how ownership works, what they’re responsible for, and what they cannot do.

Are you in need of reliable HOA management software? Condo Manager offers the best tools for self-managed communities and HOA management companies. Call us today at (800) 626-1267 or reach out to us online to book a demo!

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