Top 5 Tips for Preparing Your Home for Community Standards Visits

"Nobody enjoys getting a letter from us about an issue, it’s a headache you can avoid!"

Living in an HOA community often means a well kept neighborhood, where the HOA may handle things like buildings, sidewalks, or landscaping to maintain a consistent look. It depends on your setup, some HOAs cover more, others less, but either way, the management company checks your home against the CC&Rs and Rules and Regulations to keep standards steady. Nobody enjoys getting a letter from us about an issue, it’s a headache you can avoid! With a bit of effort, you can stay compliant and dodge that notice entirely. Simple actions, like sprucing up your space or clearing common areas, go a long way. Plus, it helps keep the community appealing and supports home values. Here are five easy tips to prepare for community standards and sail through any review.

Broken Window Theory posits that visible disorder, like a broken window, signals neglect, inviting more chaos. Unfixed issues pile up, feeding a cycle of disarray. Addressing small problems promptly helps maintain order and keeps a community looking sharp. Here are some tips:

1. Read Your CC&Rs and Rules

Start by checking your CC&Rs and Rules and Regulations. They’re on the homeowner portal in the documents sections. These list what you need to do, like rules regarding storage, or balcony items. Knowing what we are looking for helps you avoid issues. Confused? Contact us, we’ll help you out!

2. Maintain Your Unit’s Curb Appeal

Your unit’s exterior sets the tone for the whole community and helps maintain home values. Keep the area around your home tidy, clear away visible clutter, overgrown weeds, or anything that detracts from the look. Check your HOA rules for specifics, like limits on outdoor storage or parking. A well kept front keeps the neighborhood sharp and saves you from a notice.

3. Clean Up Your Balcony or Patio

If you have a balcony or patio, make it look good. The HOA might handle plants outside, but we check what you add. Remove worn out furniture, extra stuff, and especially unapproved BBQs, grills are a big no in many rules, so double check yours. Look at the guidelines for what’s allowed, like how many chairs you can have. A clean, BBQ free space keeps notices away.

4. Keep common area clear and report issues

In some HOAs, exterior upkeep like landscaping or big repairs is handled for you, while in others, it’s on you. Either way, keep common areas clear of personal items, clutter, or anything that gets in the way to avoid service delays. Spot a shared issue like a broken gate or hallway light? Let us know early so we can fix it and avoid the hassle.

5. Take Pictures for Proof

We might miss something or see it wrong. After you tidy up your exterior, balcony, or whatever you’ve worked on, snap some photos. If you fix something, like adding a storage solution, keep the receipt. This helps us correct any mix ups fast and keeps that letter from coming. It’s also great to have for your own records!

Final Thoughts

Keeping up with community standards is easy when you know what we check. The HOA's goal is to keeps the outside nice, and you take care of your part. Start a week or two ahead, do one tip at a time, and reach out to Integrator Community Management if you need help. We’re here to make this smooth, not a pain. Got a tip you like? Share it with us!

Want more HOA advice? See our next post about understanding your HOA fees.