Giving unit members incentive to save on costs?

Started by FredH2 • 8 replies • 1543 views

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

⚡ Takes 30 seconds

Already a member? Log in

FredH2 (Maryland)
Posts: 3

Posted:

Part of our HOA requirements are to provide gutter cleaning service to community members. Has any other HOA provided a cost incentive to unit members to install cost saving devices. IE gutter guards of some sort. How did your HOA do that. I am thinking of a one time incentive. The HOA would be saving money for an extended period of time. A one time incentive for an extended savings for the HOA.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

We installed gutter guards, they are great. They still need to be inspected each year and silt/dirt washed out, but it a much simpler and cheaper job than cleaning gutters without the guards.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

What kind of 'incentive' are you talking about?
You can't lower assessments, so how would you do this?
IMHO, the HOA should install any apparatus that makes the job easier and gets the job done. The reserves or other fund should be used for this.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Fred,

If the HOA is required to clean the gutters then the members shouldn't be asked to install gutter guards; this is something the HOA should do as a cost-cutting measure.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

SteveM9, I keep hearing conflicting reports on gutter guards -is there a specific type your HOA settled on? If gutter guards can save money for our HOA (townhouse community), I'd love to try using them, but I've seen different types and some people say they still won't work if you have a lot of leaves blocking them.

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

FredH2 (Maryland)
Posts: 3

Posted:

We have single family homes, town houses, and manor houses (2). Incentive might be a one time payment to add the guards. Personally I have had the type that were made from one piece of alum, they worked great at my former house, but were expensive. There is a rather inexpensive type that can be added easily. I would not want to lower the assessment, but a one time payment? I am not sure.
My house is my property, the HOA just completes tasks that are in the documents. If I added gutter guards, the price would be my responsibility, but the HOA would not have the yearly expense. That is why I would like to know if any other HOA has done anything like that.

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SheliaH on 07/16/2010 8:58 AM
SteveM9, I keep hearing conflicting reports on gutter guards -is there a specific type your HOA settled on? If gutter guards can save money for our HOA (townhouse community), I'd love to try using them, but I've seen different types and some people say they still won't work if you have a lot of leaves blocking them.

Shelia, I would stay away from the inexpensive (cheap) ones sold at the chain home improvement stores. The ones sold locally are a plastic frame with a screen to allow the water into the gutters. Problem is the plastic frame traps the leaves and clogs. Our COA is surrounded by trees so we installed them (metal ones) on the back gutters which cut down on the maintenance.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

FredH2 (Maryland)
Posts: 3

Posted:

The guards I am speaking of do not have any screen, they are solid tops, that curves over and extend beyond the gutters below there are a series of holes for the water to fall in. Water sticks to the vinyl and goes into the gutter. They work with maple seeds, pine needles, and tulip popular seeds. I would NEVER put the screen "type" on gutters.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

SteveM9, I keep hearing conflicting reports on gutter guards -is there a specific type your HOA settled on?

Ours look similar to this (not our roof)
http://www.plangconstruction.com/images/hallow05.jpg

Its a plastic with holes and a fine screen covering it. Kind of like a window screen. We have had them for years, never any issues. If a leaf falls on the screen, it flows right off or blows off. Gutters work great.

🎯 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