CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Feb. 19, 2021 - Board members are at the forefront of determining how the HOA operates, including setting dues, creating rules, managing projects, and overseeing the community. While decisions are made with the best interests of the membership as a whole in mind, not every homeowner will agree with every decision. Kuester Management Group has released a statement to the press regarding ways the board can respond to issues of harassment.
"HOA board members are generous in volunteering their time to run the association because they care about the community and its members," says Bryan Kuester, President of Kuester Management Group. "They understand that not everyone will always agree with their decisions, but that does not mean they should be subject to harassment."
The board should work together to address these issues and support one another, says Kuester. It is important to remain calm and not escalate a situation by responding in the heat of the moment. When it comes to taking action, "he said, she said" may not hold a lot of weight. Proper documentation should be taken.
Writing a formal letter is often the first step. The board should work together to create a statement that cites specifics about the harassment incident, what rules were violated, and what potential consequences are if the problem continues. It should also offer solutions such as how to express concerns in a constructive manner or how to get involved to help create positive change.
"Sometimes members act on impulse, and once the board alerts them to the issue, they can see things more clearly and rationally," says Kuester. "The person may not have realized that a board member felt they were being harassed or that their actions were in violation of the rules."
If sending a letter does not initiate a change, the board may need to take more serious actions such as obtaining a restraining order or even getting the police involved. The goal is to resolve problems before they escalate to this point, and mediation can be a beneficial option as well.
HOAs can work with their community manager to put proper policies and procedures in place for dealing with harassment, resolving disputes, and creating a more effective association.
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Kuester Management Group, a division of Kuester Companies, works to protect property values and enhance the quality of life in each of its managed communities. Providing a full range of association management services, Kuester Management Group has worked to foster strong, resilient, and unified communities across North and South Carolina. More information is available at www.kuester.com or @KuesterCompany.
Contact
Bryan Kuester
Kuester Management Group
