The email came in at about 4pm and I knew it wasn’t going to be good. It was from my HOA. Yikes. Our moving truck had been parked in the driveway for several days. And the back end was kind of hanging over the sidewalk and into the street. When would it be gone, read the email. Double yikes.
Moving is a pain. Boxes, the annoying tape dispensers that always get tangled up, broken glasses the junk from the junk drawer that you forget to pack. And then to get harassed about the moving truck wasn’t fun. But I get it. Vehicles and those PODS containers cannot be simply left askew all over the community. It’s why HOAs need a specific policy. Here are a few tips to make sure your neighborhood doesn’t turn into a sea of unruly PODS and trucks this summer.
Move-in/out hours: Be specific about the times that folks can tackle the move in/out process. List days and times, holidays, and weekend hours. No one wants to be woken up at 6am by the grunts of big dudes lugging boxes up and down stairs.
Elevator policy/door propping: Set out clear regulations when it comes to elevator use and door propping. Maintaining a secure property is important and when violators prop open doors or abuse the elevator, all the residents are at risk.
Deposits: Refundable and non-refundable deposits can be used as leverage to make sure renters follow the community rules when it comes to resulting damage, left behinds, or trash left from a move. Again, be specific when it comes to the condition of the property before, during, and after a move.
Consider using an architectural request form or other official form in order to arrange for a move. That way, community leaders can determine where, for example, the POD will be placed, for how long, clearance around the POD or storage unit, and any other procedures the resident needs to follow. This way, everything is in writing, including the fine or other penalty for disobeying the rules.
As always, check with your attorney before rolling out any new policies. And don’t forget that moving is no fun and it’s not always a smooth process. Take a deep breath and think about the last time you were shouting at the tape dispenser.
Looking for more tips to keep your residents happy? Download your copy of our free Six-Step Guide to Providing an Exceptional Resident Experience.
