HOA's Responsibility in this Virus Crisis

Started by FayeE • 8 replies • 629 views

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

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

FayeE (New York)
Posts: 49

Posted:

I am wondering what the HOA's responsibility in this virus crisis?
What about HOA's with out buildings? Close them or clean them
What about HOA's with no other buildings but for mail? Do we have to clean them?
What about our common area's in all our Buildings do we have them cleaned more and sanitized?
What are our responsibility as an HOA .
Thank you.
Faye
VP HOA

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

A HOA is NOT a "They or Them" situation. It is YOU and YOUR neighbors. So whatever you all decide as neighbors on how to handle the grounds goes. It's just a matter of whom you want to fund the effort? HOA funds which is EVERY member's money or individual.

Former HOA President

FayeE (New York)
Posts: 49

Posted:

I understand that but homeowners look at us as they and what they should do. Not them.
Most Owners will not take a cloth and clean down their own railings stating that the HOA should do it.
I am in NYS and under a state of emergency. Everything is closing except our grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies.
Getting cleaning products are impossible.
Do we ask them to clean their own common areas in their buildings or does the Board have to hire people to clean it more often?

Thank you for your response.
Faye
VP HOA

DeidreB (Virginia)
Posts: 113

Posted:

Hi FayeE,

Here is a helpful CAI webpage on HOA responsibility during the COVID 19 crisis. In general, refer to the appropriate federal, state and local gov't agencies for guidelines.

https://www.caionline.org/pages/coronavirus.aspx

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

There is a point of personal responsibility. Do you work for your neighbors? If so, then have everyone agree to take on the extra expense. It's everyone's money. However, otherwise I'd tell people it's time to take personal responsibility and clean.

Former HOA President

CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299

Posted:

I posted this in another thread:

https://www.ksnlaw.com/blog/positive-coronavirus-test-association-board-members-do/

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Sounds like you have condo buildings, Faye? What do your governing documents say about who cleans and maintains your common areas? Normally, it's the HOA. If so, then I'd say to protect your HOA from possible liability, your custodian(s) must clean these common areas.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Those resources Cathy put up are great places to start, so I hope you've read them and brought them to your colleagues to consider. You didn't say if you have a property manager - if so, work with them to increase cleaning of the common areas.

That said, I agree with Melissa - at some point, people need to use common sense and take some responsibility for themselves. These are supposed to be adults, not babies, so assuming they clean the rest of their homes, surely they have some Lysol or whatever leftover to wipe down their personal railings and doorknobs. Time for your board to get a backbone and make that clear to the homeowners.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

MarshallT (New York)
Posts: 414

Posted:

Hi Faye,

Everyone in your community has a responsibility to do what they can to prevent the spread. That being said, the HOA should be taking proactive measures to clean shared spaces. If you can do so, it would be wise to employee a team to do additional cleaning.

🎯 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