No homeowners’ association or the community it represents wants to deal with trespassers, so if your HOA Insurance clients have been having issues in this regard, it may be helpful to walk them through How To Deal With Trespassing In HOA Community. Trespassers can potentially present a danger to the community and can present various problems for any HOA. For that reason, understanding what needs to be done to prevent trespassing in the first place, as well as being prepared to handle it effectively should the situation arise, is a critical skill for both HOA board members and everyday homeowners in the community. Take a look at some of the prudent advice you could provide to your clients.
Define the Community’s Trespassing Standards Clearly
For both practical and legal reasons, it’s important for your clients to clearly define community standards for entry to certain areas and to post signs notifying would-be trespassers of those rules. Every HOA is likely to have certain key exceptions that should be made clear from the get-go. For instance, your clients may not consider it trespassing if individuals enter the community for:
- Sudden emergencies
- Scheduled repairs or maintenance work
- Police calls or 911 calls
- Visiting community members as invited guests
Post No-Trespassing Signs and Consider Adding More Community Security
Once your clients have posted informative signs and no-trespassing signs in the relevant areas, they may want to consider whether the neighborhood is safe and secure. For instance, many HOAs choose to:
- Post clearly worded no-trespassing signs at the entrance of the community
- Set up a gate system
- Start a neighborhood watch program
- Put in security cameras throughout the neighborhood
Keep All Community Members Informed and Aware of Trespassing Risks
Lastly, remind your clients that HOA boards alone cannot mitigate all community issues. Community members need to remain informed, aware of the risks and actively involved in the area to ensure everyone’s safety and welfare. You can talk your clients through the following key advice.
- Inform your community members of their rights, what they should look out for in the neighborhood and who to contact if they notice suspicious activity
- Send details to your community about the legal repercussions trespassers could potentially face
- Equip local homeowners with steps to follow if a trespasser attempts to enter their homes
When your HOA Insurance clients have questions or concerns about the possibility of trespassing and how to handle it in their neighborhood, it’s important to help them understand both how to prevent the issue and how to handle it well should it occur. You can inform your clients that they need to define standards clearly, provide posted notices and keep community members informed and vigilant. With these steps in place, you could help guide any HOA community towards safety and adequate preparation.
About Kevin Davis Insurance Services
For over 35 years, Kevin Davis Insurance Services has built an impressive reputation as a strong wholesale broker offering insurance products for the community association industry. Our president Kevin Davis and his team take pride in offering committed services to the community association market and providing them with unparalleled access to high-quality coverage, competitive premiums, superior markets, and detailed customer service. To learn more about the coverage we offer, contact us toll-free at (855)-790-7393 to speak with one of our representatives.