Why Utah HOA Management?

There are more than 1,000 neighborhoods in the Salt Lake City metro area that are part of a home owner association. Some of the neighborhoods have determined that self-governance is the right way to manage their association. Part of the challenge with that is that neighbors are monitoring neighbors and that can turn into a bitter environment. Others have found it better to bring in a professional management group to help them govern the affairs of the community. However, selecting the right management Group is not as simple as it sounds. Since there are so many management and communication styles, homeowners need to make sure the management group they select will meet their community's needs and deliver on their promises. Too often that does not happen and that leads to frustrated homeowners.

We have found that homeowners have three primary and very significant complaints with how their associations are managed:

1. Financial Transparency
2. CC&R Enforcement
3. Communication

For many homeowners, any one of these three complaints can be terribly upsetting and disruptive to their peace of mind.

No Surprises.

That's the core philosophy at Utah HOA Management. We have identified simple, yet effective solutions to these and other challenges. And for good measure, we have purposely added a few more goals and objectives together to help improve association experiences.

Financial Transparency.

Too many management companies promise transparency, but simply fail to deliver on their financial promises of openness. Part of the problem is that in many cases dues go directly to the management company and the then company writes the checks. Quite often homeowners have incomplete information to determine where their dues are going and how much is being spent. We at Utah HOA Management have developed a system that guarantees budget and financial transparency. Briefly, here is how it works:

• Each association will have its own bank account. All homeowner dues will be deposited directly into that account
• Utah HOA Management will meet monthly with association representatives…either a board of directors or a finance committee…who will sign the checks to pay for common expenses including Utah HOA Management's management fee. Utah HOA Management will not have access to that bank account
• Financial statements will either be posted on a community website every month or emailed to homeowners
• Annual budgets with comprehensive reserve goals

CC&R Enforcement

The most common complaints with CC&R enforcement center on an extreme, heavy-handed approach to enforcing the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. We at Utah HOA are not willing to manage through intimidation and harsh tactics. True, the CC&Rs are in place to protect the community and to enhance neighborhood livability. And of course, compliance by all homeowners is necessary to reach that livability. However, sometimes, when homeowners don't live up to their part of the HOA agreement, an uncomfortable challenge is created that needs to be address immediately and appropriately. This is what Utah HOA Management will do:

• Utah HOA will regularly inspect the neighborhood to ensure that the community's CC&R standards are met
• Every homeowner will be alerted immediately about infractions and subsequent fines and be given a reasonable opportunity to remedy the infraction
• All infraction findings will be communicated to homeowners in a fair and even-handed manner

Communication

We have found that too many homeowners are frustrated with their association managers because of poor communication. The prevailing feeling is that those managers are not responsive, in a timely manner, when contacted or questioned by association members. We understand that. A short while back, we experienced that same inadequate responsiveness in our own neighborhood association.

This is what you can expect from Utah HOA Management:

• Every telephone call and every email will be addressed within 24 hours.
• We will be more than happy to meet directly with homeowners to review a concern or complaint
• Utah HOA will host an annual homeowner meeting. Emergency or unscheduled community meetings will be held at the request of homeowners
• Utah HOA will host monthly, on-site meetings with a management committee or board of directors to evaluate budgets, expenses, CC&R enforcement, architectural review and community activities

Finally…

Our overriding concern and desire at Utah HOA Management is to create and manage an environment in Utah neighborhoods…an environment that should enhance everyone's HOA experience. A number of HOA managers struggle in creating those experiences. However, working with Utah HOA Management, these goals are within reach through openness, through the fair and equitable treatment of all homeowners and through timely and appropriate communication.

For more information on how Utah HOA Management can help improve the effectiveness and performance of your Home Owner Association, contact us today. We are more than happy to put together a strategy that will better meet your needs and expectations.