Volunteers run most HOA boards, and it is not easy to do everything efficiently. Managing a community requires money and time, which the board lacks to handle all the issues around the community. Community management companies will solve your problems by carrying out vital administrative functions and keeping the community safe. Here are the types of communities that management companies work with.
Types of Communities Management Companies Work With
Urban Community
Urban communities are found in cities where individuals live close to each other. There is usually a lot going on and some noise. Urban communities have access to lots of resources and the greatest and latest things.
Most urban housing options are high-rise buildings. Companies manage urban communities by grouping them into several municipalities.
Residents in an urban community have goods transported through various means. These means include taxes, buses, trains, and subways. Most homes in urban areas lack outdoor space, but many community gardens and parks are available.
Tenants Screening
Community management companies help urban communities by dealing with current and future tenants. They use a screening process to identify reliable tenants since they have acquired experience over the years.
Management companies know how to choose tenants who will create fewer problems and pay rent on time. They will deal with all issues related to rent. The board will not have to chase down tenants to evict them if necessary.
Better tenant retention means fewer vacancy cycles. Community developers will save on things such as changing locks, cleaning, repairs, and inspection.
Sub-Urban Community
Suburban areas are a mix of rural and urban but with the same conveniences a city has. Many communities are usually developed in suburban areas.
Such areas are surrounded by a bit of nature and have enough space to spread out. You’ll see houses lined up in the suburbs with quieter streets.
There are small towns, lots of schools, and parks as well. Restaurants, shops, and businesses usually surround the small main streets.
Homes are usually located outside the town area. These communities are managed by a homeowners association that creates rules for everyone to follow.
Professional Transactions Handlers
Board members are usually overwhelmed with the financial aspects of operating homeowners associations. They must collect overdue assessments and explain fee hikes to residents they know personally.
A management company can handle all types of transactions. An independent company helps to avoid conflict of interest. A reputable company will enforce the policy of board members without any personal interest when collecting payments.
Rural Community
A rural community has scanty homes located far away from one another. Such communities have a low population density, and agriculture is the primary source of living in rural communities. Rural communities have towns that are typically smaller without many workplaces for building.
Management companies also manage the following communities in rural, urban, and semi-urban areas:
- Retirement communities
- Recreation communities
- Academic communities
- Religious communities
Community Maintenance
Many rural communities take pride in the level of aesthetic appeal and visual harmony that they have maintained for themselves. A lot of work is done to keep the community well-maintained. Such work needs the experience of vendors specialized in specific kinds of maintenance services.
Management companies have a wide option of vendor contacts who can provide quality maintenance services. Apart from making the community a desirable area, maintenance helps lower replacement and repair costs.
The Role of Community Management Companies
Community developers contract a community management company to perform the duties they cannot do due to lack of time. These companies support maintenance and administer business affairs.
A management company receives instructions from the board. They cannot make major decisions about the community without consulting the developers. The board cannot speak without the approval of the owners within the community.
Here is what a community management company does:
Maintenance
- Grounds maintenance
- Building maintenance
- Inspections
Administrative
- Agenda preparation and meeting attendance
- Managing residents, vendors, and contractors
- Project management
- Contract oversight and negotiations
- Insurance administration
- Overall administration and operations following applicable laws and regulations
Financial
- Billing
- Collecting assessment
- Managing financial reports
- Reserve fund analysis
Why Community Developers Need a Community Management Company
Community developers have the option to manage communities by themselves. Some communities have residents who are willing and able to manage the community. But this full-time job requires a lot of time and effort.
Board members are more like volunteers and have careers and families. Having a busy schedule prevents them from properly managing the community. Hiring a community management company reduces the board’s liability and burden.
Look for the Best Community Management Companies
Choosing the best community management companies requires knowing the kind of services they offer. Prioritize a company with proven processes for the community’s smooth running.
A company that has been in the community management business for a long time will likely offer you the needed services. Choose the right option for everyone in the community; the residents will have peace of mind knowing they are being cared for well.
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