Are we putting the HOA at risk?

Started by SharonB6 • 2 replies • 1272 views

💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

SharonB6 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 70

Posted:

In our budget we put XX amount of dollars to just general improvements around our land. In hopes to get the community involved and lessening our burden we started a committee to decide on the best way to use these fund and them doing all the leg work in getting this projects completed.

Well the committee indicated because the budget was small they would like to do some of the actual labor themselves. This includes, putting weed n feed own, patch work on bare spots in the lawn and raking out some new stone for the parking lot. This way they can actually make a difference with the small amount of money they have work with.

Now one of my fellow directors is saying we shouldn't let them do this because it's putting the HOA at risk by them doing the work themselves. If they are volunteering, do we really put the HOA at risk? Can we get around this by asking them to sign waivers? (FYI,Homeowners do not own any land, it's all HOA owned).

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

First off, I am a bit confused when you say that none of the homeowner's own the land but the HOA does...That's not true and the oposite is true. ALL the owners own the land. Hence, why it's called a "Homeowner's association/HOA". It means that all the owners owns ALL the property equally overall with exclusive use of the areas aroung their homes. Our HOA you owned the house and the lot it sits on, the land around that lot was conrolled by the HOA. That HOA of course being ALL the owners represented by elected officials...The Board.

We used to have a "volunteer day" every year. It was a nice community effort for all the neighbors to get together and do minor maintenance items in the COMMON areas. The common areas of course were front entrances, clubhousr, pool, or other amenity areas. It wasn't at someone's individual lot. So that would reduce any need to sign any kind of release or involve anyone's specific homeowner's insurance. The HOA should be insured anyways.

I say take the effort and do organize a volunteer day. See how it goes. I always wanted to integrate a shed in our HOA so that owner's could share any leftover materials they didn't need when they did a project. The type of supplies that didn't want to toss but quite didn't need. However, that was a bit much. Just a good old fashion "Barn Raising' never did a community wrong unless the barn fell on them...

Former HOA President

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Now one of my fellow directors is saying we shouldn't let them do this because it's putting the HOA at risk by them doing the work themselves.

As there is concerns on what happens if a volunteer gets hurt while doing work for any organization (church, HOA, schools, etc.), the concerns can be minimized by limiting what work is done by volunteers.

I wouldn't have volunteers replace a roof for fear of them falling off and potential liability if the roof is done incorrectly causing leaks. However, we have used volunteers to paint curbs, plant greenery/flowers, etc.

Personal opinion, I think the Director is being over cautious. They have a valid point but I believe the risk of doing some minor landscaping is minimal.

Advice: Acknowledge the risk but approve the work to be done by volunteers.

Tim

🎯 You've read this entire discussion

Join the conversation with 50,000 HOA & Condo Leaders:

✓ Ask follow-up questions
✓ Share your experience
✓ Get expert advice
✓ Access 350,000 discussions

Create Free Account →

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in here