Governing Board Duties Increasing

As many cities, including Detroit, experience financial difficulties, some homeowner associations have assumed control of various duties for the associations they serve.  The nature of HOA communities has shifted to include property maintenance, trash collection, and other duties that were once performed by local governments.  As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult for board members of HOA communities to take care of the day-to-day operational tasks of managing the communities they represent.  According to USA Today, 75%-85% of HOA communities perform their day-to-day activities with the assistance of an experienced property management company, while the other 15%-25% are still self managed.  

As the residual effects of the housing crises continue, governing board members of HOAs are required to take on more and more responsibilities.  This ranges from daily operations like dealing with contractors, bookkeeping duties like paying invoices, and collecting delinquent association fees from fellow members  These tasks can prove to be daunting without the assistance of a professional management company, such as LandArc.

Click on the following link to read more:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/03/03/hoas-pick-up-duties-left-by-struggling-cities/1960671/

Snow Removal FYI

In light of the snow storm which will hit Southeast Michigan today, LandArc would like to inform our customers that we will do everything possible to ensure efficient snow removal.  Our strong working relationship with our vendors ensures that the job is done.  As you are most likely aware, we are expecting to get 5-7 inches this afternoon and evening, although it seems like we may receive less. 

As stated in our contract, “in the event the continuing snowfall exceeds 4”, the contractor shall immediately plow out driveways and roads to facilitate ingress and egress from the site, and then complete the remaining areas as designated in this contract.”  We would also like board members to be aware that snow removal will commence no later than four hours after snow fall has reached the level stated in the contract between your association and your snow vendor.  If snow accumulation continues, the vendor has within four additional hours to clear and within 24 hours to clear areas that were inaccessible initially or where snow has drifted.  We ask for patience while our vendors strive to keep up with the needs of our communities.