How To Perform An HOA Property Inspection
Performing a routine property inspection is one of the fundamental duties of an HOA administrator. Inspecting condominiums or homes increases the well-being and safety of homeowners as well as reducing the risk lawsuits, costly repairs, and protecting property values. Conducting regular inspections is not only beneficial to homeowners, but it allows the board of directors to better understand the condition of the community and what can be improved. For example, if there is a safety concern or concern about any amenities offered by the HOA, it is better for both residents and the HOA to learn about these issues as soon as possible. It’s important to also take into consideration the time of year that the inspection is being done, because that could imply different procedures. Keep reading to learn more about the property inspection process.
Whether you’re inspecting an individual residency or a communal part of the community association, be sure to follow a comprehensive approach that is also fair and considerate to residents.
Understand HOA Bylaws
You should start by checking and understanding your HOA’s bylaws. These bylaws will likely state any inspection requirements such as what needs to be inspected and how often. You should understand state statutes regarding property inspections as well. This might include things like checking fire alarms, extinguishers, and fire codes several times a year, however, these will vary by state.
Make A Checklist
Having an actual physical checklist with you as you inspect properties is the best way to ensure that you’ve got everything covered. The information on the checklist should be clearly and professionally written so that anyone can pick it up and understand what was done during the inspection.
Present The Results
Before you do anything else, your inspection results should be presented to the board of directors. Your board will help you decide how to handle repairs or renovations as they’re needed and how those will fit into your overall budget. This will help to ensure that everyone is on board with what is going on and everything is documented accordingly.
File Your Documents
Filing your property inspection documents should be the final step of this process. If everything is documented and filed properly after the fact, you’ll have no problem revisiting it later if the need arises. It’s always a good idea to keep a permanent record in case something goes wrong or you’re looking for a way to revise your inspection process for next time.
Contact RS Fincher
Do you need help managing your HOA community? One great way to ensure your community association operates smoothly and efficiently is to hire an HOA management company like RS Fincher. We operate in Apex, Raleigh, and the surrounding areas to assist HOA administrators with things like financial management and reporting, property inspections, online payments, overseeing work orders, contract management, obtaining insurance, and much more. We have more than 20 years of experience helping HOA communities in the area and would love for yours to be the next. Contact us today.