ChrisS6 (Illinois)
Posts: 2
Posts: 2
Posted:
Does anyone give any form of card/gift to their primary representative at the property management company that works with your association? I'm curious what is best/common practice.
A service of:
Community123.com
Professional websites for HOAs & condos, since 2004
Professional websites for HOAs & condos, since 2004
🎁 1st year FREE for HOATalk members! →
Gift to property management
Started by ChrisS6 • 10 replies • 2369 views
💬 Join us to post & get advice from 50,000 HOA & Condo leaders.
Create Free Account →
⚡ Takes 30 seconds
Already a member? Log in
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Not giving any gift at all to your provider is the best practice.
AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960
Posts: 960
Posted:
I second what Michelle said.
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
PS: Holiday cards are fine. But no gift. Even if they provide stellar service, that's what you pay them for. Your "gift" to them for 'above-and-beyond' type stuff is to renew the contract.
DuaneW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 34
Posts: 34
Posted:
I'm not sure if you mean personally or using HOA funds. It would be a quick 'no' using the Homeowner's funds, but as president, I did send the management company a Christmas card with a pizza gift card in it for them to send out for lunch (or whatever). While it's true they are doing the job that the HOA pays them to do, I look at it like I do my dog's groomer,the Newspaper deliverer or the mail carrier, they are all doing jobs they are paid to do, it's just an extra 'thanks and have a wonderful Holiday'.
While I'm writing this though, I have to admit, if I wasn't president, then I probably wouldn't have thought about them at all. Maybe in the end, it's all in the interaction we have with people throughtout the year that prompts thoughts on saying 'thanks' with gift cards or even just cards.
While I'm writing this though, I have to admit, if I wasn't president, then I probably wouldn't have thought about them at all. Maybe in the end, it's all in the interaction we have with people throughtout the year that prompts thoughts on saying 'thanks' with gift cards or even just cards.
MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
Management companies are a far cry from personal vendors like hairstylists and dog groomers.
Those are individuals (basically) who provide services to individuals and are generally "tipped" as a matter of course of business.
Companies that do business with other companies, not so much. And that is what an HOA is.
Individual members of the board may have a "relationship" with individual members of the management company, but that should always remain separate from the corporate to corporate business relationship.
The HOA doesn't regularly tip the PMC, does it?
Again, holiday cards are fine, anything else, is a no-no.
Those are individuals (basically) who provide services to individuals and are generally "tipped" as a matter of course of business.
Companies that do business with other companies, not so much. And that is what an HOA is.
Individual members of the board may have a "relationship" with individual members of the management company, but that should always remain separate from the corporate to corporate business relationship.
The HOA doesn't regularly tip the PMC, does it?
Again, holiday cards are fine, anything else, is a no-no.
JennN1 (Washington)
Posts: 8
Posts: 8
Posted:
I see Michelle's point in saying your PM is different than your dog groomer. However, like Duane, as President I gave our PM a gift card out of my own pocket as well. Our PM attends additional meetings outside of her contractual obligations and responds to more e-mails than any PM should have to from our Board. She kept the managment fees constant over two years without an increase. She has really been a pleasure to deal with in comparison to our prior managment company and PM. I showed my personal appreciation by giving her a gift card paid for out of my own funds. Personally, I am thankful for the fact that at many times she keeps me sane! 
HillaryM
Posts: 9
Posts: 9
Posted:
what about gifts to the management office for the whole team, no board members. like a fruit arrangment delivered by a company for approving our demanding exterior modifications. A brown noser thank you gift, getting on their good side type of thing i guess you would say
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
If the Board or community desires to have a collection to provide a gift or tips at the holidays. That is allowed. Using Association funds for such things typically are not.
This is because what assessments are to be used for are typically spelled out within the governing documents.
I thought the drivers of our trash/recycling service needed to be tipped one year.
There is a space to add a tip when paying the bill.
Because it was my idea, I simply paid for the service from the Associations account and included a personal check for the amount of tip I thought they deserved.
If you want to provide gifts or tips. Open your personal wallets - not the associations wallet.
This is because what assessments are to be used for are typically spelled out within the governing documents.
I thought the drivers of our trash/recycling service needed to be tipped one year.
There is a space to add a tip when paying the bill.
Because it was my idea, I simply paid for the service from the Associations account and included a personal check for the amount of tip I thought they deserved.
If you want to provide gifts or tips. Open your personal wallets - not the associations wallet.
DouglasM6 (Arizona)
Posts: 724
Posts: 724
Posted:
It's an old post, but Tim is spot on. You can tip or buy gifts for anyone you want, just don't use the associations money.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
oops, didn't see that it was an old post.
🎯 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