In any HOA community, proper dispute resolution must be practiced. However, a lot of HOAs struggle with dispute resolution. When the board of directors faces a conflict, they may implement non-standardized means to deal with it. But such an inconsistent approach to dispute resolution can result in more misunderstandings. That is why they should consider having an HOA manager handle and resolve disputes for them. Get in touch with a reputable HOA management company if your association still does not have a manager.
Why Dispute Resolutions are Important in HOA Communities
HOAs are communications that have residents who come from different backgrounds. Thus, conflicts and disagreements among residents are inevitable. Although every HOA hopes to maintain a harmonious community, it is almost impossible to get rid of conflicts. To successfully manage an HOA, it is important to understand how to handle conflicts as they arise.
Disputes take many forms. They can occur among members of the board or between community residents. Also, HOA disputes can arise between neighbors. Residents can vary in their opinions and have strong feelings about some problems, usually resulting in disagreements. HOA disputes include noise complaints, pungent odors, unruly children, disruptive or unlawful acts, visual nuisances, selective enforcement, and others.
HOA dispute resolution settles arguments among parties. Dispute resolution is focused on reaching compromised agreements, ending the dispute and maintaining a peaceful community.
Handling HOA Disputes
Disputes can take place at any time in HOAs. A homeowner may argue with a neighbor over fencing concerns or overhanging trees that throw leaves into their property. In addition, board members can have heated discussions over varying viewpoints.
When not resolved, disputes in HOAs can impact long-term relationships within the community. Also, they can affect the way the members of the board work and even result in other homeowners taking sides. Thus, disputes can cause a division in the community. This makes it essential for an HOA to embrace a dispute resolution policy.
HOA boards must learn when to intervene in disputes between neighbors. Some disputes don’t require board intervention. The majority of disputes between neighbors are resolve on their own. When the board intervenes in all disputes, the community can become a courtroom where the board serves as the judge. To avoid this, there should be a system wherein homeowners can request the board for dispute resolution. Also, when the board handles disputes, they should remain neutral and concentrate only on the facts.
