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I understand the challenges you’re facing. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t an external or neutral entity, like a professional manager, to handle homeowner violations. Relying on volunteer homeowners or Board members can be ineffective, as your case demonstrates.
If bringing in outside management isn’t feasible, it might be beneficial for your volunteer enforcement group to collaborate with your association counsel and review your HOA’s policies and procedures. The goal should be to make the enforcement process friendly, fair, and firm.
For example, in my HOA, we prioritize communication and resolution. The initial step involves a friendly phone call to the homeowner in question before resorting to sending a formal violation notice. We’re fortunate to have a dedicated staff member solely responsible for enforcement, given the scale of our community (5,000 homes with 2,500 more planned). This staffer conducts regular patrols, noting violations or following up on neighbor complaints, with the complainant remaining anonymous.
If the issue persists after the initial contact, a violation notice is sent, followed by a series of escalating actions that may include mediation or fines. Thanks to our clear and deliberate procedures, situations rarely escalate out of control.
