The main function of a homeowners association is to maintain the community. Keeping everything in good condition is a tough task, though, particularly if you have no idea where to start. This is where an HOA maintenance checklist comes in handy.
Key Components of a Successful HOA Maintenance Checklist
As communities age, it is important to maintain them properly. The communities that do not invest in this end up deteriorating much faster, which can subsequently cause property values to decrease exponentially. It is imperative for communities, regardless of their size, to have a maintenance strategy in place to make sure they have the required budget to properly maintain the community both in the short and long-term.
A community maintenance checklist can go a long way. It keeps the percentage of possible mistakes minimal. Regardless of your community’s size or age, an ideal HOA maintenance checklist should have the following elements:
1. Exterior
The first thing on your HOA preventative maintenance checklist is to inspect all exteriors. Start with buildings and then move on to individual homes. Check the foundations and walls to see if anything needs repairing.
Walls may need repainting to maintain the appeal of the neighborhood. Exterior vents, at times, require replacing. It is also a good idea to check the windows, as these can crack and demand replacements as well.
Additionally, you should include utility boxes in your exterior inspections. Examine electric supply boxes and cable boxes. Gas lines, water faucets, and satellites must also make the list. Roofs and gutters need to be maintained on a regular basis as well. Consider hiring a company to inspect these after winter each year, as the cold season can do some damage to these areas.
Wood decks can have mold or termites. It is important to have wood decks inspected to see if they need small repairs or need to be replaced entirely. In fact, it is better to perform pest control on a monthly basis as preventive maintenance. Cement surfaces also fall under the exterior portion of your HOA maintenance checklist. Check driveways and sidewalks for any signs of deterioration.
2. Interior
After checking the exteriors, it is time to move on to the interior portion of your HOA or condo maintenance checklist. Ask homeowners to inspect their attic vents and screens (if applicable). Examine all floorings thoroughly, as these damaged or uneven flooring can cause falls and injury.
Homeowners must also check for any leaks. Anyone who has ever dealt with water damage knows how much of a headache it can cause. As such, it is best to exercise foresight to avoid any problems down the road.
3. Utilities
Utilities should make up another part of your HOA or condominium maintenance checklist. This applies to every homeowner, but the HOA must also take necessary steps to inspect the utilities of common facilities like clubhouses and fitness centers.
Inspect all air conditioning units to see if they are in tiptop shape. Do not forget to check on the condenser as well. Examine furnaces and heating, as well as hot water heaters. Check on all lines coming from the exterior walls into the home or building. This includes water lines, phone lines, gas lines, and electric lines. Any damages can give rise to accidents, which nobody wants.
Not everyone has the expertise or proper background to know how to check for these, though. As such, it is best to hire a third-party vendor for professional help instead.
4. Common Areas
Next up on your HOA maintenance checklist are common areas. This includes fences, gates, yards, streets, and parking lots. Landscaping should look clean and polished. Make sure everything is trimmed properly — lawns, trees, and shrubs. This improves the community’s overall look. After all, nobody wants to look at overgrown branches or grass. Landscaping is something that should be uniform and replanting or cropping trees and bushes is important to eliminate safety risks in the community as well.
Fences, depending on what material they are made of, may require replacing. To improve your community’s security, it is important to maintain fences at all times. No bolts or screws should be loose, and belts must also remain secure. If your community has security cameras, see to it that they are clean and up-to-date as well.
As for streets and parking lots, make sure they are well-lit and paved properly. Unsightly items like trash should be collected on a regular basis. Confirm your trash collection schedule with your vendor and ensure they stick to it so that no garbage piles up.
If you live in a snowy area, winter can be a harsh time for your community. Snow can block driveways and walkways, so consider hiring a snow removal service to take care of this issue.
5. Community Amenities
If your community has a pool area, then it is important to keep the pool clean and to have a safe walkway near the pool.
Repairing tiles that may have broken or handlebars to step into the pool make the pool area something residents can easily enjoy. In addition, check pool heaters at least two months before use. This way, you have time for repairs should any issues come up.
Similarly, if your community has a playground, inspect the equipment at least once a month. Rusty metal, jagged edges, and loose screws are lawsuits just waiting to happen. To protect both the association and the children, ask a professional to perform yearly inspections.
Maintenance Checklist Template
The contents of your HOA maintenance checklist depend on your association. Not all associations have the same facilities and amenities. Generally, though, you can use the sample maintenance checklist below as your guide. It is divided into portions, and you can check off each item as the responsibility of the HOA or the homeowners. On the other hand, you can download the same template and adjust it to your liking here.
Keep Your Community in Top Shape
An HOA should not perform routine maintenance and inspections simply because it is their job. While that is certainly a major part of it, maintenance also helps keep community members safe. This is why it is important to conduct maintenance and repairs on a regular basis. By assembling an HOA maintenance checklist, you make sure everything is covered and you leave nothing out.
If your community is having trouble managing maintenance projects, you can benefit from hiring a professional community manager. In that case, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at (855) 238-8488, and we would be happy to help.
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