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SusanK5 (Utah)
Posts: 30
Posted:
I am sure that every HOA has issues with people not respecting common areas. However, I need some advice and opinions. We have a pool, that is gated, and the homeowners and residents have purposely yanked on the gate so hard that now the latch and security system is broken...possibly to the tune of $2000. We have some of these people on the security camera and have fined them but without a card scan we can't prove who they are and if they are pulling the gate open there isn't one. Yesterday we recieved a notice from the county health department that we had to have soap in the showers so our maintenance person purchased a soap dispenser for each shower. They were installed less than 8 hrs when someone had vandalized them. Almost every night when the pool guy goes to clean the pool and check chemicals someone has emptied the soap dispensers by the sink on the floor. We now put the cheapest TP we can find in the bathrooms because people were stealing it. It goes on and on. Anyway, I want to write something for our newsletter that may wake people up...something ubrupt but not rude. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202
Posted:
CLOSE the entire area for 2 hot weeks. If people ask why, tell them.
You sound like you have a bunch of out of control residents who don't deserve pool, etc.
Pull the privileges.
DanielH1 (California)
Posts: 482
Posted:
You could send out a letter saying that "The Board wishes to inform the Membership that a special assessment of $100 - $1,000 per household may be required to repair the damage to the pool area. This special assessment would be in addition to your regular monthly assessments. The Board also asks that homeowners report incidents where they witness others damaging the pool area. If the violators can be identified, they can be arrested and forced to pay for repairs. This will help prevent future special assessments."

If the homeowners realize that they will be directly paying the costs for somebody else to damage the pool, they might consider it a good idea to report damage and be witnesses against people who cause damage. Note: The letter just threatens special assessments; it doesn't actually say that there will be one.
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Susan,

Warning the members that a special assessment will be imposed might be meaningless since the members must vote to approve it.

Frankly I like the idea of closing the pool. We had a problem in my former assn with children putting sand in the fountain. We sent a letter to the members asking them to speak to their children about this. We also stated that the fountain would be shut off if this didn't stop. The letter did no good so we shut off the fountain.

Close the pool for one week and see if that doesn't do the trick. If not, then close it for 2 weeks, then close it permanently!
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Mary not all States or CC&R's require membership approval for a SA.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Susan, I would either close the pool or beef up security. Up to and including hiring a guard to check people into the pool area. When H/O's want to know why their assessments have gone up, explain the HOA can either pay $2,000.00 several times a year to repair damage or X dollars to attempt to prevent it.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Glen,

I understand that and that's why I said it "might" be meaningless, but should have said "if" the members must vote.
TishS (Washington)
Posts: 116
Posted:
Close the pool due to inability to comply with the health department requirement of the soap in the showers, and the safety concern of the security gate locks being broken. Post the notification. Then you are not the bad guy. I am sure this is a bunch of kids...they will rat each other out in order to get the pool open again
SusanK5 (Utah)
Posts: 30
Posted:
I just wanted to thank all of you that responded to my question. The board was all in agreement on this and I have written an article for our newsletter using the proposed assessment for repairs idea. If I get negative response from anyone I will let them know we could just close the area. You guys are great! Thanks so much....

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