Rule Enforcement Reset  Continued From Page 23


norms and the need for everyone to make a commitment to develop and gain the skills necessary for proper association governance and leadership. If the board doesn’t like, follow, or enforce the rules, people will know they can get away with non-compliance, which can be frustrating to those who want to live in a first-class community.


Excuses for Lazy Enforcement


Do you make excuses to avoid dealing with enforcement? If you have found yourself saying any of the following, it’s probably time for a change:


` I don’t like that rule anyway. ` He gets so belligerent when he is told what to do. ` I hate to have to send a warning to such a nice person. ` That is someone’s guest—they don’t know the rules. ` She doesn’t read emails. ` It doesn’t bother me; I can’t see it. ` He can’t control that dog. ` They didn’t return my call. ` Our compliance inspector didn’t inspect this week. ` They are getting old. ` He will make life miserable if we send him a warning. ` I don’t want to be the bad guy. ` I didn’t see it.


Do you kick the can down the road, delay or ignore it just hoping it goes away?


Do you kick the can down the road, delay or ignore it just hoping it goes away? Delays create the inevitable: The impression that rules really don’t matter. If there are no timely repercussions, people will just do what they want. Get the enforcement done promptly and efficiently. Associations have covenants, bylaws, rules and regulations. These are the manuals that guide you. If the answer isn’t in your documents, enlist the advice of your attorney. Be clear about the offense, the remedy, and the compliance date.


Consistently inspect your neighborhood by enlisting the help of multiple volunteers and management team members. Get the board on board with consistent inspections, not just a drive-through to see if a garbage can is left out. There are people


on your board, your architectural committee, and other homeowners in your community who want everyone to live by the rules and would be willing to be on the compliance patrol. Homeowners may also report potential violations. Your community may need inspections on a regular basis. Whatever the frequency, stick with it so that the neighborhood is regularly being patrolled and inspected.


Communicate Constantly


and Work Cooperatively Communicate that you will not be gunning for people, but rather are holding yourselves


and each homeowner accountable to follow the governance dictates of the community. Ask that everyone help the board members with their jobs and help all homeowners comply.


Communicate that you will not be gunning for people, but holding yourselves and each other accountable to abide by the community governance.


Communicate the process. Those who report infractions and offenses want to know that the board is on top of getting the issue resolved in a timely manner and will do what they said that they would do. Communicate to the reporting neighbor exactly what the process is to restore compliance. Do not disclose the name of the reporting homeowner if avoidable. Do not pit neighbor against neighbor. You have an official platform, use it. Community association managers can be helpful but generally can’t patrol as often as those who live in your neighborhood. Enlist their help if non-compliance persists.


Keep Things Professional


Communicate using official channels. Have management send notices, or if there


is no manager, send the communication out on official letterhead on behalf of the entire board. Do not send email communications from a personal address. An email to the offender from the board as a whole is professional and defines the entire board’s responsibility as enforcers.


Communicate promptly. Send infraction notices soon after the offense was noticed or reported. Make it a


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