Spring is just around the corner, so use our HOA Spring Checklist to make sure your community is ready. With the season changing there are always a lot of chores that need to be done around the HOA. Especially all outdoor equipment and spaces that have been underused during the cold and darkness of the winter months. Do not leave inspecting your HOA for wear and tear until the last minute! We’ve put together this handy HOA Spring checklist to stay on top of everything. The 7-step checklist includes everything you need to ensure your community is ready to spring into spring!

1. Inspect the community

Get outside and have a look at your HOA. It’s all very well writing a list of everything that has to be done when you’re cozy in your office but there may be some issues that you hadn’t noticed that are more pressing. Anything exposed to the elements may have suffered over winter. Sidewalks or parking lots may have developed cracks in the surface, the paint may be peeling on a notice board or in the playground. Note down the issues and plan to fix them before spring properly begins. You could ask another board member or maintenance staff to come with you to double-check everything. Then bring up the necessary repairs at the next board meeting to get them approved.

2. Check the water systems

The hot weather that will eventually arrive means that everyone will want a swim. Before opening the pool to residents you’ll need to clean the water, change the filters, and remove any debris or trash caught in the filtration system. Check the gauges to see if you need to backwash the filters. You should also check the drains, to ensure they’re not blocked. Add more water to adjust the water levels if necessary and any chemical products to bring it up to the recommended amount so that the water is clean as can be. It’s important to maintain your pool properly because the water can become full of suntan lotion, tanning oils, and bacteria in general.

3. Power clean the HOA

When was the last time the tennis court, pool deck, and sidewalks were properly cleaned? I’ll bet it was before winter and right now they are not looking their best. Get your power cleaner out if you own one so that they’re sparkling when residents are ready to spend time outside. Otherwise, you can rent a power cleaner to restore your HOA to its glowing self. The other things that may need a good scrub are your community’s roads, especially if they’ve been salted this winter. There may be cracks in the road or sidewalks from the snowplow.

4. Landscaping

Clear away any fallen branches, and cut back any plants blocking walkways or windows. Make sure no leaves or twigs are blocking any drains. Drains can very easily get clogged so don’t neglect them. Once everything has been cleared you have a blank canvas to trim trees and bushes and replant any plants that died over winter. You could also hire an arborist to check your trees are healthy. You may need to fertilize any flower beds before anything can be mowed and seeds can be sowed. Replanting and redesigning garden beds can really transform your HOA and make it look like a whole new place, you can hire a landscaper or get the residents involved in a fun community project.

5. Communicate with residents

Let your residents know all the things that are going on in your HOA to be ready for Spring. No one likes being surprised by the sound of lawnmowers and saws. Use your communication platform to send an email, text, or automated phone call letting them know that there will be work going on. You can also use it so residents can let you know of problems in the HOA. Maybe they noticed a rusty gate that you hadn’t, they can tell you about it through service requests. Then, when you’re ready for the grand unveiling of all the work you’ve done, create an event in Vinteum, and post it on your website!

6. Miscellaneous projects

Now is a good time to address the tasks you’ve been putting off to deal with urgent matters that cropped up:

• When was the last time you got all the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested?
• Has anyone inspected the roof recently?
• Have you checked your foundation vents to be sure that no critters are living there?
• Has your gym and playground equipment, been tested and tightened.
• Do you have enough chlorine to last throughout pool season?
• Has your yearly fire inspection been scheduled?
• What about a health inspection?

Take spring cleaning, organizing and maintenance seriously to save yourself a lot of hassle in summer.

7. Celebrate

There are a lot of chores crammed into this HOA spring checklist. Celebrate having done all of them and get your whole HOA together to honor the new season. You could have a community dog walk or a cook-off, or maybe it’s warm enough for a picnic to show off the newly redesigned outdoors. Or find a projector and have an outdoor movie night! If you used the coming of spring to redesign your pool then a pool party is always an option. Otherwise, a barbeque always appeals to both the young and old. Whatever gathering you choose to have, make sure to relax and enjoy it!

Conclusion: HOA Spring Checklist

Having a checklist can help you ensure that all necessary tasks get done before spring really arrives. These seven items on your HOA Spring Checklist will make sure that your community is ready for the warmer months. If you need help communicating with residents and organizing events and maintenance, check out Neigbrs by Vinteum. We are an award-winning communication software, we provide you with a website, portal, and app.