Owners wanting to do work on HOA property

Started by LindaC10 • 7 replies • 1213 views

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LindaC10 (Colorado)
Posts: 12

Posted:

How do you handle owners that want to do work on the property? It is my understanding that you have to have a business and be insured to be considered to do work for the HOA. Individuals working on the property present a liability and they should not be allowed to do work on the property. Everyone's about saving money!!! I just don't think it's a good idea!

BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820

Posted:

there is no legal requirement that prevents work from being done on HOA common areas by owners with the HOA boards permission.
We had a member clean do our landscaping for years as a volunteer, did a better job than the company we paid. I worked on many of the drip lines myself, unplugged the storm drains, replanted bushes, etc.. We had clean up days with volunteers, etc. as well.

It may or may not be a smart idea, depending on who, what they are doing, if they are being paid or not, how many hours, the type of work, etc., but there is nothing that requires the work be done by licensed businesses, contractors, etc.. There is risk at every level, it's all about managing the risk to an acceptable level for you.

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

This is a matter of concern to many people. I worked for the regime for a lot of years, and all and all, all benefited. I gave a lot morew than I received but I like to look around and see things I had a hand in. All kinds of groups gather trash on the highways and rivers and parks. Lots of volunteers in the hospitals and nursing homes. I really think iy can be productive if a specific need is indetified and plans are made to improve the problem as a group. And there are small jobs volunteers can be used for. It can be done, it just has to be done right and parameters developed.

LindaC10 (Colorado)
Posts: 12

Posted:

Thank you. We did have our meeting last night and decided it's really a judgement call. Some owners want to work on the roof. The Board decided this would really be a bad idea! Too much of a liability. Work like landscaping and painting a fence would be much more reasonable to consider. I was interested in how other communities handled this situation. This was an issue at my previous community as well.

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

You should also check with your insurance company to find out if volunteers would be covered if they are injured; perhaps a hold harmless agreement.

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SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

There has been a lot of discussion on this issue on this board. Do a SEARCH on "volunteer workers" and see what pops up.

Volnteers raking is a lot different than being up on a roof. Liability is a real issue!

KevinJ1 (Florida)
Posts: 51

Posted:

I know that in my COA the maagement contract states that it covers up to 500.000 workers comp on all employees contracters and volunteers of the association,if yours does not look into your states volunteer statutes you should find something their....thanks hope that helps some...

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

Linda:

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this and as you stated it is a judgement call. Even doing a job such as picking up trash presents dangers and liabilities, but not as much as remodeling a clubhouse.

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