With the holidays fast approaching, we want to assist our boards in providing a safe and happy holiday season for their homeowners. This week, we discuss common topics that homeowners and board members face during the holiday season. Read on for helpful holiday tips:

Package Theft fand Other Security Issues

Unattended packages left on doorsteps, houses left vacant while homeowners travel to visit relatives, and vehicles full of shopping bags offer irresistible temptations for those looking for opportunity. Help homeowners remain proactive by reminding them to:

    1. Track package delivery by signing up for services that are now offered by major carriers, such as FedEx or UPS.
    2. Have packages delivered to a friend or trusted neighbor when they know they won’t be home to accept delivery?
    3. Remove all shopping bags, purses, electronic equipment, etc. every time a vehicle is left unattended. Also remind them to always lock the vehicle, even if it’s sitting in the driveway!
    4. Remove the garage door opener from the vehicle so thieves cannot gain access to the home through the garage. Lock garage doors leading into the home, as well!
    5. When leaving for an extended amount of time, set timers on the lights, turn on the alarm (if available), and notify a trusted neighbor of any absence.
    6. Install security systems, such as Ring, to deter theft.
    7. Empty packages and boxes should be broken down and properly disposed of so as not to attract the attention of any would-be burglars.

While package theft and home security concerns have become increasingly common, they don’t have to put a damper on your homeowners’ holiday spirit!

Protecting Your Home While You’re Away for the Holidays

Remind homeowners that after they’ve planned their itinerary and packed their bags, not to leave home without checking off the following safety tips:

    • Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to keep watch. Hopefully, you have at least one trusty friend or neighbor who wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on your home while you’re away. It’s also a good idea to leave contact numbers and a spare key, in the event of an emergency (such as a pipe burst, natural disaster, etc.). You may even want to consider asking a neighbor to sporadically park in your driveway while you’re away, in order to create the appearance of someone coming and going.
    • Keep travel plans offline. We know holiday plans can be exciting, but it’s best to refrain from announcing them on social media sites, such as Facebook. Don’t advertise that you’ll be gone; this gives would-be thieves ample opportunity to make you a victim!
    • If you have a home security system, use it! Don’t forget to set your alarm before you leave for your trip!
    • Do not leave spare keys outside the house. Burglars know where to look; hiding them in a flowerpot, key rock, or under the doormat are obvious places to find keys.
    • Lock and secure the garage door. If your garage is detached, you should still lock it while you’re away. If your garage is attached, be sure you also lock the garage door leading into the home.

While safety precautions can deter burglars and help to prevent unfortunate events, nothing is foolproof. However, by following the tips above, homeowners can minimize the chances for an unpleasant discovery upon return from a holiday trip.

Parking Predicaments

Limited parking is often a concern in many homeowners’ associations. With the holidays come visitors, making parking a hot commodity. Consider making special exceptions to where visitor vehicles are allowed to park during the holiday season. Check your CC&Rs to see if there are any limitations to allow for extended parking hours, spaces, etc.

Let homeowners and their holiday guests know where they should park and ensure that they know the amount of time their vehicle is allowed to be there. By clearly posting notices for holiday parking within your community (think Nextdoor, community bulletins, et al.), you can relieve some of the parking stressors that come with limited spaces and the holiday hustle.

Alcohol at HOA Events

Community events are wonderful opportunities to bring members together and create a festive atmosphere. However, it’s important to consider the potential liability associated with serving alcohol at an association-sponsored event.

We advise our associations not to serve alcohol as a best practice. The risks far outweigh any potential value. If a board decides to allow alcohol in the community at an HOA or member-hosted event, it is highly advised that the board limit the types of alcohol to beer and wine and discuss with the association’s attorney or insurance broker prior to planning an event involving alcohol. Schedule a policy review with the HOA’s insurance agent or broker to determine policy coverage.

Other considerations may include:

  • Obtaining a proper liquor license or hiring a licensed, bonded, and insured caterer/bartender.
  • Hiring security if event attendance exceeds 100 guests.
  • Adopting a policy in the event of an incident. For example, who should be contacted? What information needs to be gathered?

There are so many factors to take into account if considering an HOA-sponsored event involving alcohol.

The holidays are a time of celebration for many, and nothing can ruin the holiday spirit faster than stolen packages, lack of parking for holiday guests, burglarized homes, and alcohol-related incidents … oh my! We want to prepare our homeowners and board members to be well-equipped to tackle anything the holiday season throws at them. By following the tips above, your HOA can avoid many holiday stressors and enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday!

If you’re looking for some extra help this holiday season, contact Spectrum for a free HOA management quote and see what sets us apart from the competition.