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CindyN (Nevada)
Posts: 3
Posted:
We're a 12 yr.old, 700 unit development in Nevada (not Las Vegas), with two swimming pools/two hot tubs. While we struggle with the usual "whaddya mean I can't bring a glass bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream into the pool area", and "no food? but my grandkids love to throw goldfish crackers in the water and watch them swell up.", our focus right now is on homeowner access to the facilities.

Originally all homeowners had a key that opened gates at both pools. An enterprising high school student had additional keys made and sold them for $5 to her classmates. In 2005, we changed out locks and went to non-duplicable keys.

After 8 years, we recognize it is time to revamp our pool access. Our policy had been to issue 2 keys per household, but unfortunately the record keeping hasn't been adequate. If someone moved away and took pool keys with them, MC would issue new pool key for $25. There are existing keys floating around town, and people who don't live here, don't pay assessments are enjoying our facilties.

Would like some guidance from those of you who have pools - do you use keys or fobs or card readers?? Do you charge a refundable deposit for keys/fobs/card readers??

As usual, we have pool factions - those who shriek they only bought here because of the pools and who are all these pool poachers...to those who want to fill in pools and replace them with pickleball courts.

Our Board is fiscally conservative and majority of them never step toe in the water. It will be a hard sell to have them allocate funds to change out keys. The concept of refundable deposit might be acceptable to them, we do that now with our locked RV storage facility.

Asking for your experiences in this area -

Thanks!
C.
KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239
Posted:
We use keycards....2 active keycards per property....$5 for the second card & $25 dollars for subsequent replacements...A home sale resets the account.

We had poachers as well. Keycards (or fobs) end this in large measure. However, it's incumbent on HOA management (whether professional or self-management) to track access ability. There is no freedom of responsibility of amenity management.
JohnB26 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,569
Posted:
ONE key per household ~ else IMPOSSIBLE key control as a 'lost key' may never be reported

broken/defective key = free replacement

lost key = charge for new lock cylinder + new keys for community ($200-300)

OR

key fobs or cards

programming
maintenance
vandalism
equipment costs
?maybe $200 per year?
CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
Our 12-y.o. high rise has key fobs that are needed to access everywhere--the premises, elevators, gym, pool area, etc. They're $25 apiece, non-refundable, $25 to replace lost ones, no cost to replace defective ones. No limit on how many an owner can have.

The no-limit policy has been debated a couple of times by the board over the 8 years I've been here, but we have some units that are owned by multiple families with grown kids that need several fobs; many residents have housekeepers, who have fobs; some of us have local family who are on our permanent guest list for our units and visit our pool when we're out of town. Landlords and their renters have fobs. so, we just haven't set a limit.

Our Asst. mgr. handles the key fobs and makes sure each is registered on the computer with a hard copy in each unit's file. In cases where we've had to suspend privileges, it's very easy for mgmt. to deactivate the fob so that entry is denied to the business center, lounges, gym, billiards room, pool & spa area.
CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
PS--Welcome to the forum, Cindy. What a fun writer you are!
CindyN (Nevada)
Posts: 3
Posted:
Thank you for your suggestions - will ask the pool committee to start investigating fobs.

I've been reading HOA talk for the past couple years - and have enjoyed the threads and the knowledge shared by you all.

Thanks again
C.

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