Owner Safety Is Always A Top Priority

One of the many reasons individuals choose to purchase a property in a homeowner association community is the promise of a safe living environment. It is the homeowner’s association’s (HOA) responsibility to make owner safety a top priority. Protecting owners is essential in maintaining a reputable name along with avoiding certain legal ramifications.

7 Ways Property Managers Protect Owner Safety

When it comes to owner safety, the homeowner’s association is responsible for preventing, managing, and fixing safety concerns an incident occurs in the common area of the community. Here are seven ways property managers put owner safety first.

1. Regularly inspect the property.
   Over time, property experiences wear and tear from use as well as uncontrollable elements like the weather. Property managers should conduct monthly inspections of the community to identify any safety concerns or hazards. If any risks are discovered, a plan should be made to correct them as quickly and efficiently as possible.
2. Don’t ignore safety issues.
   Whether property managers discover issues during a routine inspection or a member of the HOA reports a concern, they should never be ignored. As soon as the property manager is aware of a safety concern, steps should be taken to address and fix the problem.
3. Partner with law enforcement.
   Along with property safety concerns, there is always a possibility of crime in the neighborhood. In addition to installing security systems or hiring guards, it is a good idea to partner with local law enforcement to create a safety plan. Who should be notified of potential criminal activity? How long will it take law enforcement to respond? Having these answers upfront speeds of the process of getting the situation under control.
4. Review and update procedures annually.
   Safety procedures should be reviewed at least once every year to assure the best methods are in place to prevent property fires, injury, and crime. These can be discussed at an annual meeting, and the board should be open to new ideas and technology if it benefits owner safety.
5. Encourage community engagement.
   Plenty of good comes from open communication and engagement among community members. The better they know each other, the more they trust and the more willing they are to share ideas amongst themselves and with the HOA board.
6. Educate the community.
   Create safety tips and educational pieces for community members based on what types of feedback or concerns you hear. By teaching residents how to live a safer life, property managers show that owner safety is a priority every day, not just when something happens to cause concern.
7. Prioritize safety.
   Owner safety should be at the forefront of decisions made by the HOA and the property management company. Even if deciding to implement a new strategy costs more than the previous one, it is vital that owners know property managers always have their best interests in mind.

For additional guidance with managing an HOA property, contact the team at AR Management. We are a full-service property management company that helps homeowner associations.