Safety and security are important aspects of any homeowners association. After all, who doesn’t want to feel safe in their community? Whether you implement a neighborhood watch program or install security systems in public areas, there are plenty of ways to up your HOA’s safety and security. Read on to learn who’s responsible for safety and tips for increasing security measures in your HOA.
Contents of This Article:
- Why Is HOA Safety and Security Important?
- Who’s In Charge of Your HOA’s Safety and Security?
- Strategies for Ensuring HOA Safety?
- How to Choose Security Equipment for HOA Safety
- Keep Your HOA Safe With BMG
Why Is HOA Safety and Security Important?
Most people value safety and security when choosing a place to live. Nobody wants to live in an unsafe community with high levels of crime or improperly maintained common areas. In fact, these poor qualities can deter people from buying homes in an HOA community.
As such, it should be a priority for board members and homeowners to keep their community safe. Next, we’ll discuss who is in charge of HOA safety and security, strategies for keeping communities safe, and how HOA management in Philadelphia can help.
Who’s In Charge of Your HOA’s Safety and Security?
Everyone, including homeowners, board members, and HOA managers, contributes to keeping an HOA community safe. Responsibilities may vary depending on one’s role in the community, but each party can implement safety measures.
HOA board members are generally responsible for establishing security measures and overseeing their effectiveness. For instance, they may enforce regulations regarding access control, community surveillance, emergency measures, and communication with homeowners. Additionally, they should ensure that the HOA has room in their budget for effective security management.
Residents are also responsible for maintaining an HOA’s safety and security. For instance, they must comply with established rules and ensure security for their own properties. Some HOAs have rules regarding access control, visitors, or reporting suspicious activities. As such, it’s a resident’s responsibility to follow these rules. Residents should also ensure they lock their doors and windows and stay aware of their surroundings.
HOA managers also have certain responsibilities when it comes to HOA safety. While they can vary depending on the size of the community and terms outlined in the governing documents, they generally include the following.
- Creating Security Measures- HOA managers can hire and manage vendors who provide security services to the community. Whether hiring security guards or maintenance contractors to install surveillance equipment, managers are responsible for creating security measures.
- Maintaining Security Equipment– Managers are generally responsible for overseeing the maintenance and operation of HOA security equipment. This may include surveillance cameras, alarms, or other safety measures.
- Providing Regular Reports- Depending on the structure of the HOA, managers provide regular updates to the board and residents regarding security measures, incidents, or changes to procedures.
Strategies for Ensuring HOA Safety
Keeping an HOA safe and secure takes a joint effort from residents, board members, and community managers. Here are some tips and strategies to implement if you want to improve your HOA’s safety and security.
- Maintain Common Areas
- Create a Safety Committee
- Join the Neighborhood Watch
- Implement a Security System
- Keep Common Areas Well-Lit
- Educate Residents
- Consider Professional Management
Maintain Common Areas
You may not think it has anything to do with safety, but properly maintaining common areas can help keep the community safe. For instance, something as simple as trimming the hedges can prevent criminals from hiding in them. Additionally, compliance with health and safety codes in common areas can prevent injuries or other incidents.
Create a Safety Committee
If you need somewhere to start when enhancing the safety of your HOA, create a committee dedicated to safety and security. This committee can help identify community needs and implement the necessary measures to keep residents safe and secure.
Join the Neighborhood Watch
Residents concerned about safety and security within an HOA community can create or join a neighborhood watch program. A small group of people watching over the community can help bring attention to any suspicious activity or unsafe areas that need maintenance.
Implement a Security System
Installing security cameras in common areas in the community can help prevent or reduce crime or unsafe activity. For instance, board members may place security cameras near the office, pool, gym, or parks. That way, these areas can remain safe for all community members. However, it is important to plan for these expenses within the annual HOA budget.
Keep Common Areas Well-Lit
Keeping areas well-lit is an underrated way to ensure safety and security. While it seems obvious, roads, sidewalks, and common areas should be well-lit to improve safety at night. That said, if there are issues with lighting or certain lights aren’t working, residents need to report it.
Educate Residents
Involving residents and keeping them informed is a great way to ensure everyone’s on the same page regarding an HOA’s safety and security. That said, it starts with teaching residents about the importance of staying vigilant and adhering to the security measures established by the HOA board. A great way to communicate these concerns is by sending out regular emails reminding residents how to keep the community safe.
Consider Professional Management
One excellent way to improve safety measures for your HOA is by hiring professional management services. A reliable management team can help with all aspects of running an HOA. This includes creating a budget that allows for security measures, managing vendors who install security equipment, creating a neighborhood watch team, and taking care of any safety concerns.
How to Choose Security Equipment for HOA Safety
Board members and managers are responsible for choosing the right safety equipment for an HOA. For instance, they need to work together to determine what types of security measures are necessary, how much room is in the budget for these measures, and who will install and maintain them.
The first step in selecting the right security equipment is conducting research, getting quotes from different vendors, and choosing the right contractor to work with. That said, one crucial aspect to keep in mind is access control and entry management. If you’re working in a gated community, you may want to consider keyless entry systems, gate access controls, or other solutions, like intercoms.
Another critical component of HOA security is community surveillance and monitoring. It’s essential to determine what equipment is best for your neighborhood, whether it’s security cameras, alarm systems, or fire detection equipment. When making these decisions for the community, finding reliable and reputable equipment and vendors is essential.
In an HOA, everyone, including residents, helps decide what’s best for the community. Whether you send out a survey or a suggestion form, it’s important to hear what everyone has to say before making significant decisions.
Keep Your HOA Safe With BMG
An HOA’s safety and security are crucial for both homeowners and board members. That said, one of the best ways to help ensure safety is by hiring a professional management team! With the help of Bay Property Management Group, you can rest knowing your community is well taken care of.
Need More Advice? contact us today!
Whether you need help creating a budget, planning for the implementation of security systems, or someone to inspect safety equipment, we’re here to help. Contact BMG to learn more about our HOA management services and how we can add value to your community today.
